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Architect

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What You Need to Know About Architect

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

List of Architect Job Duties

  • Develop marketing materials, proposals, or presentation to generate new work opportunities.
  • Prepare operating and maintenance manuals, studies, or reports.
  • Conduct periodic on-site observations of construction work to monitor compliance with plans.
  • 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.
  • Develop final construction plans that include aesthetic representations of the structure or details for its construction.
  • Administer construction contracts.

Qualities of an Architect

Below is a list of the skills most Architects say are important on the job.

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.

Types of Architect Jobs

  • Green Building Design Specialist
  • Facility Designer
  • Plumbing Designer
  • Residential Designer
  • Principal, Architectural Firm

What Kind of Architect Job Opportunities Are There?

In the United States, there were 128,800 jobs for Architect in 2016. 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.

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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.

How Much Does an Architect Make?

The typical yearly salary for Architects is somewhere between $48,020 and $138,120.

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Architects who work in Massachusetts, Alaska, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Architects 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?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Architects:

  • 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 to Become an Architect

What education or degrees do I need to become an Architect?

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How Long Does it Take to Become an Architect?

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Who Employs Architects?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Architects employed by various industries.

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References:

Image Credit: Danichou via Public Domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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