Architects

Career summary

Architects design many kinds of structures. Projects may include:

• Houses
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Bridges
• Airports
• Office Buildings
• Renovations

Architects take part in every phase of a building project. They help create the first design and stay involved until the construction is complete. Architects also help clients select building sites. They work with many other people during this process, including the client, engineers, and general contractors.

Before beginning a new building design, architects meet with clients. They find out the clients' needs and their ideas for the design. Using this information, architects prepare initial drawings and estimate costs and timeline for the project.

With the client's approval, architects draw or use computers to develop detailed plans. These plans include scaled drawings and models showing the completed building. Architects work with drafters and engineers to complete the detailed plans.

Architects follow building codes, zoning laws, and fire regulations. They make necessary adjustments and changes to plans throughout the planning and building stages.

Architects may specialize in one type of building or in one phase of work. Some specialize in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

Some architects supervise the construction process. They help clients get bids from building contractors and prepare contract documents. They also visit construction sites to ensure builders follow the plans correctly.

At the end of construction, architects inspect buildings to be sure they were built according to building plans.

Entry-level workers, called intern-architects, draw or use computers to complete construction drawings. They also do research on zoning regulations, environmental impacts, and other topics. Sometimes they help to design one part of a project or manage small projects.

Related careers

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Architectural and Engineering Managers
• Civil Engineers
• Conservation Scientists
• Construction Managers
• Drafters
• Environmental Engineers
• Industrial Designers
• Interior Designers
• Landscape Architects
• Urban and Regional Planners

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to architects.

• Prepare reports that include materials, equipment, estimated costs, environmental impact, energy efficiency, and construction time.
• Discuss with clients the needs and budgets for buildings.
• Create designs that meet safety and environmental regulations.
• Use new design rules to decrease the environmental impact of new buildings.
• Calculate energy use of building designs.
• Design systems for buildings to use less water and energy. These include rainwater collection systems and green roofs.
• Work with engineers, drafters, and others to prepare final detailed construction drawings and models.
• Draw or use computers to prepare layout plans for clients' approval.
• Help select sites for buildings and determine space requirements.
• Test building designs for the impact of construction on the natural environment.
• Prepare contract documents for building contractors.
• Visit building sites to ensure that contractors follow the building plans.
• Help clients get bids from building contractors.
• Review manuals for operating and maintenance of buildings.

Common work activities

Architects perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Think creatively
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Evaluate information against standards
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Use computers
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Get information needed to do the job
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Schedule work and activities
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Develop and build teams
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Monitor and control resources
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Document and record information
• Process information
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Develop goals and strategies
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Analyze data or information
• Coach others
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Perform for or work with the public
• Teach others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Recruit, interview, or hire others
• Perform administrative tasks

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, architects:

Interpersonal relationships

• Talk to others throughout the day. They interact with clients, engineers, drafters, and other staff.
• Are greatly responsible for work outcomes and results of other workers.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations.
• Work as part of a team.
• Communicate daily by e-mail, phone, and in person with clients and coworkers.
• Write memos and letters daily.

Physical work conditions

• Almost always work indoors, but occasionally visit construction sites outdoors.
• Work within several feet of coworkers during meetings.

Work performance

• Must be accurate in what they do. Errors could seriously endanger the safety of people using their buildings, or cause building delays.
• Meet strict weekly deadlines.
• Work in a highly competitive environment.
• Make decisions daily that affect others.
• Have the freedom to set most of their own tasks and goals. They rarely consult a supervisor before making decisions.
• Repeat the same physical and mental activities.

Hours/travel

• Usually work full time.
• Sometimes work more than 40 hours a week to meet deadlines.
• Sometimes travel to job sites or to visit clients.

Physical demands

Architects frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for architects to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for architects to be able to:

• Determine the distance between objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.

Skills and abilities

Architects need to:

Communicate

• Understand written information.
• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.

Use math and science

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Obtain needed equipment, facilities, and materials and oversee their use.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Look for ways to help people.

Work with things

• Analyze needs and requirements when designing products.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Architectural Engineering
• Architecture
• Environmental Design

Other programs of study to consider

• Architectural Engineering Technology
• Civil Engineering
• Community and Regional Planning
• Construction Engineering
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Historic Preservation
• Housing and Human Environments
• Interior Design
• Landscape Architecture
• Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

Training

To work as an architect, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's or master's degree in architecture;
• complete a three-year internship; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

All architects learn their skills through formal, professional-level training programs. There are non-professional degree programs in architecture. However, these programs do not qualify you to be licensed as an architect. All states and the District of Columbia require architects to be licensed.

There are two types of professional-level programs in architecture: a five-year bachelor's degree program and a one- to four-year master's degree program.

The type of architecture degree best for you depends on your preference and your academic background. The five-year bachelor's degree is the fastest route for those who do not already have a college degree. If you are not sure of your goal, or if you already have a bachelor's degree, a master's program may be your best choice.

Most architects earn a five-year bachelor's degree at a college or university. This is a very specialized program of study. If you decide to drop out of architecture, the credits you have earned may not transfer to other degree areas.

Many schools offer a two-, three-, or four-year master's degree in architecture. The two-year programs are for students who have a four-year, non-professional degree in architecture or a closely related field. The three- and four-year programs are for students who have a degree in other areas.

Work experience

Work at a drafting, construction, or interior design firm can provide valuable experience.

On-the-job training

After graduation, you must complete a three-year internship. During the internship, a licensed architect supervises your work. You perform tasks such as preparing drawings and researching building codes. You also learn to write construction specifications. These are the descriptions of building materials, installation methods, and other details required for constructing a building.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements . Architects use advanced math. Try to take math through Trigonometry.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Blueprint Reading
• Computer Applications
• Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)
• Drafting
• Drawing and Painting

Many architects are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require that applicants have at least a bachelor's degree in architecture. Some employers require an architect's license. To get an architect's license, people must have a degree, complete an internship, and pass an exam. Sometimes employers hire people who have worked for them as interns.

Employers also look for people who can convey their ideas well using drawings and models. They look for people who are creative and can work as part of a team. Good communication skills are very important.

Most employers require computer skills. More architecture firms are using computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) programs. People who know how to use CADD programs will have an advantage getting a job.

Tips

Students in either architecture or landscape architecture could use their college elective hours to take courses in an area of professional specialization that relates to personal interests. For example, if interested in structures, take more course work in math, structural engineering, and design. Other options are to work as designers, construction contract administrators, or specification writers. Those planning to establish their own practice should consider a minor in business while in college.

It is also important to develop both analytical and creative skills. Creativity, in addition to an artist's eye, is especially important for building models of projects. Knowledge of environmental and political issues, including green design, that relate to urban design and planning are helpful. Summer jobs in any field related to construction may also be helpful.

Costs to workers

After entering this field, an architect may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues.

Licensing/certification

Architects must be registered by the Washington State Board for Architects to legally call themselves architects or to contract to provide architectural services. Registration requirements include:

• successful completion of a written, graphic, and oral exam;
• being at least 18 years old and of good moral character;
• an accredited bachelor's or master's degree in architecture, plus a minimum of three years of board-approved practical work experience in a structured intern training program, two of which must be under the supervision of a registered architect; or
• a high school diploma and nine years of practical work experience, including completion of a structured intern training program under the direct supervision of a registered architect; and
• completion of a Washington State Architect Law Review exam.

The State requires architects to go through an Architect Experience Program (AXP, formerly known as  intern development program or IDP) for initial registration. General information about the AXP program can be obtained through the National Council of Architecture Registration Boards (NCARB) listed in the Other Resources section of this description. There may be differences in the educational requirements specified by NCARB and Washington State.

State licensing fees are $100 for the application. There is a fee for the oral examination, if needed, and the initial license fee is $105.50. The renewal fee is $105.50 every two years. There are also fees for intern registration with the NCARB and examination fees for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE), which are $235 for each of the six required exam divisions. For details on the ARE examinations, see:

https://www.ncarb.org/pass-the-are 

For more information on Washington State licensing, contact:

Washington State Board for Architects
Department of Licensing 
PO Box 9012
Olympia, WA 98507-9045
360.664.1388

#Added WA law review exam & checked other info 2/5/14 cj. Updated DOL POB; rest of licensing section ok, 2/2/16 cj. Made some changes to licensing info & state fees 2/6/18 cj. ARE fees will go up to $235 each in Oct. 2018, cj. updated fees ncarb & state 4/8/19 lh

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Architects who are partners in large firms usually make the most money. However, it takes many years of experience to become a partner. For self-employed architects, expenses may be higher than earnings when first starting out.

Most employers offer health insurance, paid vacation, and a retirement plan. Self-employed architects must provide their own insurance and retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 20% of architects are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Architecture firms
• Engineering firms

National outlook

Demand for architects will be faster than average. The need for new office buildings, schools, and health care facilities will create the most job growth. Many existing buildings are in need of renovation or replacement, especially in big cities. The increase in the aging population will also require that more housing and nursing facilities be built.

Demand will be strong for architects with knowledge of sustainable design which emphasizes renewable resources and environmentally-friendly design and materials. However, the field is strongly tied to the activity of the construction industry. As the level of construction decreases so will the demand for architects.

Competition for jobs will remain strong as there are many graduates from architecture programs. Some jobs will become available each year as current architects retire or move to other occupations. 

Other resources

American Concrete Institute 
38888 Country Club Drive
Farmington Hills, MI 48331
248.848.3700

American Institute of Architects - Washington Council 
1010 Western Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
206.957.1925

American Institute of Building Design 
7059 Blair Road NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20012
800.366.2423
202.750.4900

American Wood Council 

APA-The Engineered Wood Association 
7011 South 19th Street
Tacoma, WA 98466
253.565.6600

Become an Architect 

Engineer Girl! 
National Academy of Engineering

Green Building Certification Institute 

National Architectural Accrediting Board 
1735 New York Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20006

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards 
1401 H Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
202.879.0520

Society for Experiential Graphic Design 
1900 L Street NW, Suite 710
Washington, DC 20036
202.638.5555

The American Institute of Architects 
1735 New York Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20006
800.242.3837

References

Career cluster

• Architecture and Construction

Career path

• Artistic

O*Net  occupation

• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval (17-1011.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Architect (001.061-010) 
• School-plant Consultant (001.167-010) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Architect

Holland occupational clusters

• Artistic/Investigative/Enterprising
• Artistic/Investigative/Realistic

COPSystem

• Arts Professional
• Technology Professional