Career profile · SOC 17-1011

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

Plan and design structures such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property. Prepare designs, plans, and associated documentation.

Median salary
$96,690
per year
Growth outlook
Average
BLS 10-yr
Education
Bachelor's degree
AI exposure
5.2/10
automation risk

Salary distribution (US)

Real salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The p10–p90 spread tells you more than the median alone.

Bottom 10%
$53,900
25th %ile
$69,800
Median
$96,690
75th %ile
$119,430
Top 10%
$156,690

Top skills

Critical Thinking Active Listening Complex Problem Solving Speaking Coordination Judgment and Decision Making Operations Analysis Time Management Writing Reading Comprehension

Knowledge you'll build

  • Design
  • Building and Construction
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Fine Arts
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administration and Management

A day in the life

Your morning starts in front of a large monitor, refining a building design in Revit or AutoCAD—adjusting floor plans, tweaking facade details, and making sure the structure meets accessibility and energy-efficiency codes. By mid-morning you are presenting renderings to a client, explaining how natural light will flow through their new library, and incorporating their feedback in real time. Afternoons could include a site visit to a construction project where you verify that the contractor is building according to your specifications, a coordination meeting with structural and MEP engineers, or sketching early concepts for a competition entry. Architecture is the rare profession that blends art, science, and social responsibility, and the thrill of seeing a building you designed rise from the ground is unmatched.

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