Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Examining information carefully, recognizing patterns, and using evidence to reach sound conclusions.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
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 an exam. PayThe median annual wage for architects was $99,280 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of architects is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 6,900 openings for architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for architects. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of architects with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about architects by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for architects was $99,280 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of architects is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 6,900 openings for architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for architects. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of architects with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about architects by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of architects is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 6,900 openings for architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for architects. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of architects with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about architects by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.
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 an exam.
Pay
The median annual wage for architects was $99,280 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of architects is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 6,900 openings for architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for architects.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of architects with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about architects by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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 an exam.
Pay
The median annual wage for architects was $99,280 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of architects is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 6,900 openings for architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for architects.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of architects with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about architects by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for architects.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of architects with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about architects by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about architects by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.