What Architects Do
Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nymZ3dD-VWE
Work Environment
Architects spend much of their time in offices, where they develop plans, meet with clients, and consult with engineers and other architects. They also visit construction sites to prepare initial drawings and review the progress of projects to ensure that clients’ objectives are met.
How to Become an Architect
There are typically three main steps to becoming a licensed architect: completing a bachelor’s degree in architecture, gaining relevant experience through a paid internship, and passing the Architect Registration Examination.
Pay
The median annual wage for architects was $80,750 in May 2019.
Job Outlook
Employment of architects is projected to grow 1 percent from 2019 to 2029, slower than the average for all occupations. Improved building information modeling (BIM) software and measuring technology are expected to increase architects’ productivity, thereby limiting employment growth for these workers.
Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.
Duties
Architects typically do the following:
- Meet with clients to determine objectives and requirements for structures
- Give preliminary estimates on cost and construction time
- Prepare structure specifications
- Direct workers who prepare drawings and documents
- Prepare scaled drawings, either with computer software or by hand
- Prepare contract documents for building contractors
- Manage construction contracts
- Visit worksites to ensure that construction adheres to architectural plans
- Seek new work by marketing and giving presentations
People need places to live, work, play, learn, shop, and eat. Architects are responsible for designing these places. They work on public or private projects and design both indoor and outdoor spaces. Architects can be commissioned to design anything from a single room to an entire complex of buildings.
Architects discuss with clients the objectives, requirements, and budget of a project. In some cases, architects provide predesign services, such as feasibility and environmental impact studies, site selection, cost analyses, and design requirements.
Architects develop final construction plans on the initial proposal after discussing with clients. The architects’ plans show the building’s appearance and details of its construction. These plans include drawings of the structural system; air-conditioning, heating, and ventilating systems; electrical systems; communications systems; and plumbing. Sometimes, landscape plans are included as well. In developing designs, architects must follow state and local building codes, zoning laws, fire regulations, and other ordinances, such as those requiring reasonable access for people with disabilities.
Architects use computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) and building information modeling (BIM) for creating designs and construction drawings. However, hand-drawing skills are still required, especially during the conceptual stages of a project and when an architect is at a construction site.
As construction continues, architects may visit building sites to ensure that contractors follow the design, adhere to the schedule, use the specified materials, and meet work-quality standards. The job is not complete until all construction is finished, required tests are conducted, and construction costs are paid.
Architects may also help clients get construction bids, select contractors, and negotiate construction contracts.
Architects often collaborate with workers in related occupations, such as civil engineers, urban and regional planners, drafters, interior designers, and landscape architects.
Architects held about 129,900 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of architects were as follows:
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 71% |
| Self-employed workers | 17 |
| Government | 3 |
| Construction | 3 |
Architects spend much of their time in offices, where they meet with clients, develop reports and drawings, and work with other architects and engineers. They also visit construction sites to ensure that clients’ objectives are met and to review the progress of projects. Some architects work from home offices.
Work Schedules
Most architects work full time and many work additional hours, especially when facing deadlines. Self-employed architects may have more flexible work schedules.
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of architects.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Civil Engineers |
Civil engineers design, build, and supervise infrastructure projects and systems. |
Bachelor’s degree | $87,060 |
Construction Managers |
Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish. |
Bachelor’s degree | $95,260 | |
Drafters |
Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings. |
Associate’s degree | $56,830 | |
Industrial Designers |
Industrial designers combine art, business, and engineering to develop the concepts for manufactured products. |
Bachelor’s degree | $68,890 | |
Landscape Architects |
Landscape architects design parks and other outdoor spaces. |
Bachelor’s degree | $69,360 | |
Urban and Regional Planners |
Urban and regional planners develop land use plans and programs that help create communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize physical facilities. |
Master’s degree | $74,350 | |
Architectural and Engineering Managers |
Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies. |
Bachelor’s degree | $144,830 | |
Surveying and Mapping Technicians |
Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth’s surface. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $45,010 | |
Surveyors |
Surveyors make precise measurements to determine property boundaries. |
Bachelor’s degree | $63,420 | |
Construction and Building Inspectors |
Construction and building inspectors ensure that construction meets building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $60,710 |
For information about careers in architecture, visit
American Institute of Architects
National Architectural Accrediting Board
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
O*NET
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
Suggested citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Architects,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/architects.htm (visited ).
