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Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.

Watch this work See majors and colleges
Other titles employers use

Architect · Design Architect · Planner · Project Architect · Specifications Writer · Building Architect · Building Architectural Designer · Structural Architect

Inside the work

What you would actually do.

6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.

  • Develop final construction plans that include aesthetic representations of the structure or details for its construction.
  • Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools.
  • Prepare information regarding design, structure specifications, materials, color, equipment, estimated costs, or construction time.
  • Consult with clients to determine functional or spatial requirements of structures.
  • Meet with clients to review or discuss architectural drawings.
  • Monitor the work of specialists, such as electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, interior designers, or sound specialists to ensure optimal form or function of designs or final structures.

Who it suits

Would this work hold your attention?

This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and creative work.

Practical
Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
Organizing
Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Creative
Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer

Skills and strengths

What you would get good at.

Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.

Core skills

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Operations Analysis
  • Active Listening
  • Writing

Subjects to know

  • Design
  • Building and Construction
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Computers and Electronics

Useful strengths

  • Visualization
  • Oral Comprehension
  • Written Comprehension
  • Oral Expression
  • Written Expression

Working day

Picture yourself doing it.

These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.

How this job scores on four measures of working conditions, out of five
MeasureOut of 5What that means here
Close to other people3.1 Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder
On your feet2.0 Mostly seated
Talking face to face4.6 Continuous — the job is conversations
Working with your hands2.8 Little of the day

Preparation

How people prepare for this work.

Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.

  • A four-year degree 43%
  • A master's degree 28%
  • A doctorate or professional degree 24%
  • A two-year degree 5%

Tools of the work

Technology you may use.

  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Data base user interface and query software
  • Data base management system software
  • Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Project management software
  • Development environment software
  • Configuration management software
  • Document management software

Opportunity near you

See where this work is growing.

Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.

Selected stateCalifornia
People doing this work
20,500
Job openings each year
1,430
Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
16.5%
Compare every available state
State People doing it Job openings each year Expected change
California 20,500 1,430 16.5%
New York 14,180 70 5.5%
Texas 9,260 650 16.5%
Florida 6,660 480 20.0%
Washington 6,250 520 15.5%
Illinois 5,900 370 3.7%
Colorado 5,400 390 22.7%
North Carolina 4,540 320 16.7%
Pennsylvania 4,000 260 5.8%
Ohio 3,570 220 2.9%
Maryland 3,340 220 8.1%
Michigan 3,260 200 2.8%
Georgia 3,230 220 13.3%
Minnesota 3,150 210 7.1%
Missouri 2,830 190 9.3%
Virginia 2,820 170 1.4%
Oregon 2,640 190 20.0%
Tennessee 2,380 160 7.7%
New Jersey 2,240 140 4.2%
Utah 2,050 160 38.5%
Arizona 2,030 140 12.2%
District of Columbia 2,030 130 3.6%
Massachusetts 1,920 120 3.8%
Wisconsin 1,760 130 23.1%
Indiana 1,730 110 8.1%
Connecticut 1,430 100 10.9%
Kansas 1,350 90 4.7%
Louisiana 1,270 80 5.0%
South Carolina 1,220 80 10.9%
Alabama 1,210 70 1.7%
Oklahoma 1,110 70 5.7%
Arkansas 1,040 70 9.5%
Iowa 860 60 8.9%
New Mexico 760 50 11.8%
Puerto Rico 720 50 14.3%
Montana 710 50 18.3%
Kentucky 700 40 2.9%
Nebraska 660 40 6.5%
Idaho 610 40 15.1%
Maine 510 30 2.0%
Rhode Island 480 30 6.7%
Vermont 470 30 11.9%
New Hampshire 450 30 15.4%
Nevada 410 30 13.9%
Mississippi 390 30 8.3%
North Dakota 270 20 8.0%
West Virginia 210 10 5.0%
Alaska 190 10 11.8%
South Dakota 180 10 12.5%
Wyoming 180 10 12.5%
Delaware 120 10 —
Guam 100 10 11.1%

Career to college

Build a path toward this work.

Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.

CareerArchitects, Except Landscape and Naval
Most direct field Architecture Related field Environmental Design Related field Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation

Where to study

Colleges with strong activity in these fields.

Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.

AZ

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Degrees each year
173
Admit rate
90%
Annual cost after aid
$17,000

Program entryOpen major

Open college TX

Texas Tech University

Degrees each year
142
Admit rate
71%
Annual cost after aid
$17,000

Program entryApply after enrollment · Portfolio required

Open college MD

University of Maryland-College Park

Degrees each year
132
Admit rate
45%
Annual cost after aid
$10,000

Program entryApply after enrollment · Portfolio required

Open college CA

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Degrees each year
120
Admit rate
74%
Annual cost after aid
$11,000

Program entryDirect to major

Open college CA

University of California-Berkeley

Degrees each year
130
Admit rate
12%
Annual cost after aid
$10,000

Program entryFirst-year program admission

Open college TX

University of Houston

Degrees each year
111
Admit rate
70%
Annual cost after aid
$13,000

Program entryFirst-year program admission · Portfolio required

Open college MN

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Degrees each year
112
Admit rate
77%
Annual cost after aid
$10,000

Program entryApply after enrollment

Open college TX

Texas A & M University-College Station

Degrees each year
103
Admit rate
63%
Annual cost after aid
$17,000

Program entryOpen major

Open college

Compare every college offering architecture

Keep exploring

Careers with something in common.

Compare paths that use similar training and strengths.

Landscape ArchitectsConstruction ManagersInterior DesignersCivil EngineersConstruction and Building InspectorsArchitectural and Engineering Managers