What is an Architect?
Job Description & Duties Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
Life As an Architect
- Plan layouts of structural architectural projects.
- Design structures that incorporate environmentally friendly building practices or concepts, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
- Prepare contract documents for building contractors.
- Calculate potential energy savings by comparing estimated energy consumption of proposed design to baseline standards.
- Direct activities of technicians engaged in preparing drawings or specification documents.
- Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools.
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What an Architect Should Know
These are the skills Architects say are the most useful in their careers:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Project Architect
- Building Architectural Designer
- City Designer
- Green Building Architect
- Design Architect
Is There Job Demand for Architects?
There were about 128,800 jobs for Architect in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5,400 new jobs for Architect by 2026. The BLS estimates 9,700 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Architect are Colorado, Utah, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in West Virginia, Mississippi, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Architects Salary
The typical yearly salary for Architects is somewhere between $48,020 and $138,120.
Architects who work in Massachusetts, Alaska, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Architects make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $91,380 |
| Alaska | $93,390 |
| Arizona | $95,220 |
| Arkansas | $69,470 |
| California | $95,060 |
| Colorado | $73,090 |
| Connecticut | $83,530 |
| Delaware | $83,410 |
| District of Columbia | $100,770 |
| Florida | $82,710 |
| Hawaii | $75,410 |
| Idaho | $71,190 |
| Illinois | $79,520 |
| Indiana | $79,760 |
| Iowa | $76,290 |
| Kansas | $77,950 |
| Kentucky | $73,580 |
| Louisiana | $75,710 |
| Maine | $70,470 |
| Maryland | $87,790 |
| Massachusetts | $103,920 |
| Michigan | $75,100 |
| Minnesota | $88,020 |
| Mississippi | $72,780 |
| Missouri | $76,580 |
| Nebraska | $86,410 |
| Nevada | $74,620 |
| New Hampshire | $89,260 |
| New Jersey | $83,590 |
| New Mexico | $72,740 |
| New York | $109,520 |
| North Carolina | $84,980 |
| North Dakota | $79,570 |
| Ohio | $82,640 |
| Oklahoma | $86,270 |
| Oregon | $84,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,440 |
| Rhode Island | $79,120 |
| South Carolina | $85,610 |
| South Dakota | $80,310 |
| Tennessee | $80,750 |
| Texas | $99,580 |
| Utah | $67,540 |
| Vermont | $71,770 |
| Virginia | $85,380 |
| Washington | $79,020 |
| West Virginia | $89,200 |
| Wisconsin | $78,110 |
| Wyoming | $85,400 |
What Tools do Architects Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Architects may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- MongoDB
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Database software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Bentley MicroStation
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
How do I Become an Architect?
Are there Architects education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become an Architect?
Who Employs Architects?
Below are examples of industries where Architects work:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming an Architect might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Danichou via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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