I get plenty of emails asking questions here at Life of an Architect – and over the last 12 months an increasing amount of them are either from students or associate/ intern level architects … and this is how most of them look:
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Dear Bob @ Life of an Architect:
How much do architects make? I hear it’s terrible and I am starting to think that I should abandon my life long dream of becoming an architect because I can make more money doing just about anything else. Please help…
Signed,
Desperate (which is why I’m emailing you)
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I wrote on the subject of architects and their salaries back in January of 2010 (here) and even though my opinions haven’t changed, the data provided is outdated and things have changed a little since I wrote that post. I also thought I would take a moment and address a few things and point you towards a resource that can provide far more detailed information than I can. For starters, part of my response to every one of these sorts of emails is that architects can make a great living … but there is balance between money and happiness that must be found and only you can determine where that middle ground exists. There are lots of jobs out there that – strictly speaking – pay better than being an architect, but this is what makes me the happiest. As a result, I am willing to concede some salary to do what makes me happy.
The balance between creature comforts and personal enrichment is a consideration for everyone, especially comparing the pros and cons of being an architect versus some other job like a lawyer, doctor, ditch digger … whatever. There is also the added consideration of the different sorts of jobs within the field of architecture, the types of architectural practices, and the different areas of specialization.
Big Firm vs. Small Firm
Residential vs. Commercial
Private sector vs. Public Sector
The options within the field of architecture are virtually limitless and I can’t help but think that someone who really enjoys architecture can find some balance between what pays them well enough to live while providing that something that gives them personal satisfaction and fulfillment.
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If you are curious to find out what architects make compared to other professions, the website you need to visit is the Bureau of Labor and Statistics – where you can search by profession to find out what the salary ranges are, where there are jobs, what areas of the country page the highest wages, etc. for ANY PROFESSION, not just architects. So if you are just dying to know what the salary range is for an architect in Dallas, Texas compared to a lawyer (or whatever), this is the site for you.
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This is a screen capture of a search on architects/ engineers and wages – you can read that there are 5 categories in this chart – total reported, and then architects that work for the government at the state and national levels, in commercial and then residential practices. Would you have guessed that working as an architect for the Postal Service would pay you the highest Annual mean wage?
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The map above indicated the Annual mean wage of architects by geographic region (by the way, the blue links in the graphic aren’t active since this is a screen capture but clicking on the graphic will bring you to the website where you can click away to your hearts content). Looking at this map can tell you what areas of the country have the highest salaries – but you have to take this with a grain of salt … for instance, Texas is a big state and there are areas within the state that have wildly different prevailing wages. You should also consider that the standard of living costs higher in some places than others so do your research.
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Finally, the last screen capture I grabbed was of the map that indicates the states and regions with the highest published employment levels and wages can be found.
While the Bureau of Labor and Statistics isn’t the easiest or sexiest website to surf, there is a wealth of information to be found and used when trying to make educated decisions for your future. I am assuming that the reason so many people ask me is simply that they don’t know a resource like this one exists.
Or maybe they just want to see if I’ll respond to their email and send them an autographed 8×10 portrait …
Cheers and happy salary surfing
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Hello, i just graduated with a masters in Architecture but i have never had any office experience. I started working a a small firm but the pay is $12.50 an hour full time. I have worked before teaching sketchup for $22/hr so i feel i am getting severely underpaid. My dilema is wether i should work there and get some experience in the small office environment and move on later or should i go for a better paying job at a bigger firm even though i have no experience? Also do know roughly how much a fresh graduate with a masters and no office expereince would make?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
That is normal. Masters don’t matter if you have no experience. However if you don’t get a raise soon. then you are underpaid and being taken advantage of. My advise – Leave sketchup alone and Master AutoCAD, Rhino, Rivet and all of the other vector works and Adobe programs. Sketchup is for the general public and amateurs. Learn the professional programs.
I think you are working at a place that can’t afford you. $12.50 works out to approximately $25k/year and that is well below starting average. I won’t say you are being taken advantage of without additional information but you are certainly receiving compensation below market rate.
You’re being taken advantage of. We wouldn’t pay someone like yourself whom we felt was promising, less than $20.00/Hr. You are no longer a student, you have a masters degree. Do some proper research rather than accessing blogs, act like a professional and realize your value.
From what I heard that’s pretty normal for somebody just starting out without any experience. In fact I heard you need at leas 3 years of interning and that would be the pay for an intern architect (at least where I’m at which is NY). The pay will soon increase, hence it says “mean salary”. And think about it, do you want to be a teacher or someone who practices it. Teaching sketchup isn’t practicing it.
What would it take for somebody to design buildings them build them yourselves will some other help.
Hello. Im going to study psychology. Architecture is also a subjetc that I find interesting. Well, I have the feeling that I could be a psychologyst and sometimes in my free time make good money drawing houses and so on. You guys think that is possible? I mean to be known as good architect even if dont work with that all my time and make more money.. I’d like to hear any advice.. Maybe Im just being naive with this a idea.. Two bachelors are better than one but in other hand I dont if know the two of them will be really worthing in “real” life. My parents can pay both, so at least I dont must to worry about pay the college but rather think about time. Thank you for the post btw!
that would be pretty tricky to oganise, and to get licenced and get the experience needed means a considerable effort of time and energy. (and $$)
and when lookking for jobs, nobody wants to hire/commision a part time architects.
i have some stupid homework to do and its annoying as hell couldnt you just say how much you make at one point
There was a reason I didn’t title this article “How Much do I make?”
Exactly I wanted to know how much I would make not this other baloney
Guys chill if you read the whole thing you basically make around $70,000-$100,00 he doesn’t need to explain how much he makes just put some clues together and use common sense. And if you’re homework is so “stupid” don’t do it [removed by moderator]
Alot
How much do think having to sign and seal your own work in a firm plays into salary?
Traditionally I’ve seen drawings only signed and sealed by the owner/ shareholders of the firms, but someone was telling me at a particular firm that anyone who is license and is overseeing the project signs and seals the documents. I would assume that this would increase your risk as an employee of the firm and would thus expect an increase compensation. I’m interested in your thoughts.
Thanks
In my experience the person sealing the documents is an owner or officer of the firm due to liability laws. I would expect salary to be based on licensure and level in the firm (grad, staff architect, project manager, VP, etc.) regardless of whether you seal plans or not.
I am thinking of becoming an architect- by going to Cornell University and having an Architecture Major. What state should I move to after college? (I want to move) I live in NJ now. Also, should I plan on joining an architectural firm or starting my own?
If you are just starting college don’t worry about where to move after college. Get that degree first. During your education you will meet people and learn about places and that will lead to you a place. Every community has pros and cons so that is a decision you alone will have to make. Everyone should start out working for someone else. It will make you a better architect, businessman/woman and leader. It is certainly more economically stable than working for yourself…even at low starting employee salaries. Get experience, make lots of contacts and learn everything about the business…then think about starting your own firm.
Move to China.
Texas.
Work in a firm to actually learn all the things that you won’t learn in college (which will be a lot)
Hello! I’m sorry if I’m missing this question if it’s already been answered, but do you make a set amount (consistent paycheck), or is it more of you get paid by the project type thing?
Thank you much!
consistent paycheck
I am an architecture student at Auburn University, and I hear all the time that you don’t make a profit and you just live paycheck to paycheck. I would change except that I love architecture and I was just wondering about different ways to bring in money while also being an architect
I don’t live paycheck to paycheck – to the best of my knowledge (which is pretty good) neither do any of my employees.
Don’t believe everything you hear, consider the source.
What if an architect(s) was a leader of their own firm, for example, the lead architects at Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill? How large would their salaries be? They are in the top positions of one of the biggest and most prominent firms in the entire world, responsible for devising some of the world’s most iconic and recognizable beauties..Do they suffer the same fates of overwork and underpay that many other architects go through?
Matthew,
The top principals in those companies tend to have some of the largest salaries in the industry, but also tend to live their jobs and be insufferable people. There are also very few of them overall. Some of the lead architects and top designers–people below that level– whom I know from SOM, have worked extremely long hours (consistent all-nighters every week) with little pay or relief. The lead designers I once knew at SOM worked directly under David Childs on some of their highest profile jobs; the only ones that I keep in touch with today have left the profession entirely.
In other words, if you keep at it in a firm like that for a very long time, you can make a lot of money. However, in order to do so you will essentially have to make it to the C-suite of a major corporation, where salaries are high in general, and will do little work that is typical of an architect.
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So I am an aspiring architect about to start my second year of schooling in the program at Washington State University, but it seems to me that the program is more geared towards competitive/commercial design, where as I want to do residential design. this tends to put a downer on my enthusiasm for projects although I still complete them to the best of my ability. I guess what I want to know is, will this affect my chances of doing well in a firm geared towards residential if that’s not what I have been focusing on? Also, how easy would it be for me to get a job at a mostly residential design firm, are there many out there or would I be struggling to even find a place to apply? And finally, would it be a better option for me to go the rout of being self employed, or should I work at a firm (at least for the first few years out of college)? Thank you to anyone who takes the time to respond to my questions.
The easiest way for me to answer this question is to tell you that of all the time I spent in school, I only designed one residential project and that was in my first year – it sucked. I also worked in firms for all but the last 11 years of my career having never designed a house – but here I am working in a firm that is almost exclusively residential.
In school you learn how to design – not how to design a particular thing. I wouldn’t worry about the “what” just now. And no firm is going to care about the type of projects you designed in school.
Bob,
Thank you for taking the time to respond, I have just recently found your blog and already love reading your articles, keep up the good work. I must say that I agree with you on the whole “don’t ask people how much they make” issue, its rude and uncalled for, but I think the reason you hear it from students so often is because they don’t know what to expect, and even if you tell them they are going to make 35k a year they wont know what that entails (although where I live that’s just enough for one person to live off of comfortably, although not lavishly). That being said they don’t necessarily want to know what you make, but more experienced architects in general. Sorry about the rant, just from reading some of the comments that was what I was getting from the students perspective.
Anyway, I have one more question, in general, how likely easy would it be for someone to work for a firm from a home office in today’s society, with the computers and technology that we have today? Thank you again for your time and great blog!
Thanks for the perspective Alexis.
As far as working from home, I only know 1 person who does it. I can’t imagine working with someone in my office who wasn’t readily available to sit in on meetings or go to job sites (not to mention met with clients). Working from home seems to be a good fit is you are a experienced technical drafter.
Hope that helps – cheers!
I am finishing my Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2 weeks and I am desperately trying to get into architecture school (5.5 more years of school…). Do you know anyone who has a business degree in addition (with some work experience in a famous well respected multinational company) to being an architect? And in that case… Has this been an advantage to him/her in terms of getting the job they applied for, higher position in the company, higher salary etc. ?
Yes, I worked for an architect who has a masters degree in Business from the Wharton School of business. It definitely helped him in his career…he owned his own firm and mostly did high-profile projects for national and regional developers.
i shuffle everyday
” I was wondering how realistic the NACE Salary Calculator was in terms
of architects’ salaries. It’s referenced in every university’s career
center website, but the salary offer result seem too good to be true and
may be ridiculous to negotiate with.”
Yep, these figures are ‘optimistic’ to say the least. And when you divide that $75,000 salary by the 70-80 hour weeks you have to put in, you might as well be working at Wal-Mart!
Everyone keeps saying that they are working 70-80 weeks, and despite the fact that I know quite a few architects now, I don’t know anyone who works that many hours. If you are one of these mythical people, I’d suggest trying to change jobs. The culture of a firm that requires that sort of input from their employees is not worth working for
How much of your career has been spent working for world-famous firms in New York City? No need to be snarky just because some people’s experience differs from yours.
I’m not being snarky – apologies if you think that comment was specifically directed at you. You certainly aren’t the first person who has mentioned that architects have to work 70-80 hours weeks. If you think working for “world-famous firms in New York City” is the norm, you are mistaken.
But on that point, I know quite a few people who have worked for “world-famous” firms putting in those types of hours and I stand by my comment that those firms are not worth working for. They are frequently the worst paying and most demanding jobs. My experience is that most people go to those types of firms, get burnt out and leave within a few years with a nice brand name addition to their resume.
No thanks, not for me. I wouldn’t recommend that path to 98% of the people out there. If you are in that small percentage where this works out great for you, than congratulations.
I’m trying to pick out good jobs that pays a good amount of money should i put this as one of my choices?
this may be weird for all you grown pepol but im thirteen and im on this website i want to figure out if my dream job will get me all the things i want. so anybody out there thinking kids just want nice cars big houses and a hot wife u are wrong beacuse what i want is a good 1 bedroom appartement in downtown _____ with a sweet wife that loves me for who i am and a car that has four whells and can get me from point a to point b
I would say you are a very smart young man! You know what is most important in life. if you can hold onto this attitude, you will indeed have a very happy life. A little advice –avoid debt like the plague, and always live below your means.
that’s truly admirable, but by the time you are out of college/univ your peers will all be focused on higher, yet entirely superficial goals, as inevitably you would be sucked into the vacuum of materialism — but best of luck for the future!
Thank you for that great information Bob. I been driving a truck fir the past 12 years. And I have seen alot of areas that would be great for. Tearing down old buildings and revamping these cities with nice new lofts with shops and restaurants. If u ever get through Nashville, TN or St.Louis.Missouri. off i-44 someone has tore down them old wore out homes and built new ones and it looks awesome. That’s what I would like to get into. Making the old wore out cities look great and refreshing once again. And be an inspiration to .people who are struggling. In life they get to see that if they put their mind to something they can do anything. If they just believe. Thanks Bob.. sincerely …WINDSPIRIT
I’m reading these posts late. Curious what your decision was? My advice now as it would have been then is to do what you love and the money will follow. Hope its working out for you….
Financial engineering? Like the overpaid “geniuses” who built the giant house of cards made of hundreds of trillions of dollars’ worth of worldwide derivatives (credit default swaps, etc.) on top of the housing bubble, which caused the financial crisis of 2008, requiring the criminal Federal Reserve to intervene, narrowly avoiding total financial Armageddon?
We need financial “engineers” like we need more weapons of mass destruction.
Hi Bob,I’m glad to hear an open-ended, positive response to the question that isn’t plagued with the negativity attached to this profession. I’ve been referencing your website a lot lately, but I was wondering how realistic the NACE Salary Calculator was in terms of architects’ salaries. It’s referenced in every university’s career center website, but the salary offer result seem too good to be true and may be ridiculous to negotiate with. As someone with only one full year’s experience in the field and locating to the San Francisco Area, it states a $74,000 offer. This is equal to what my engineering friends who work for large corporations are earning. Would my job application with this salary requirement be laughed out of the room?
I have been working for a topnotch Architecural firm for last 5 years, All these figures are far from true. I work on projects more than $ 100 M. but my salary is a pitance.
You work like slave when it comes to deadlines. You might get nominated for employee
of the month or year and get a $ 50 gift card. Architecure is the worst paying profession. Even less than your engineering brothers.
So true. I busted my hump working for top architecture companies in NYC and hardly reached 65k a year. Started my own small grocery like seven eleven. Am doing much better.
Hi. When you say “$100 M projects,” do you include building costs, or simply design, architecture and engineering, alone? How much would be a fair price estimate for an architecturally significant 30 acre project worth over $1 billion in resale value?
I’m not familiar with the NACE calculator and since San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the US to live, it might very well be correct.
Salary is always a negotiation based on need, skill set, demand compared to what is available. The amount will also be different if it’s a small firm versus a large corporate firm – and don’t forget to consider benefits as part of your compensation package.
I suppose what I am trying to get at is this isn’t an easy question and there isn’t an obvious answer. I could go work somewhere else for probably 30-50% than what I make now in a small residential firm but I enjoy what I do and that bit of extra money wouldn’t be enough to compensate me for being miserable in a job I hated.
interestingly, the smaller residential firms where I live pay considerably less than large corporate architecture/engineering firms.
Thanks!
hi my name is jacob white. these people get paid like $4,500 in monthly net income and we did this thing at school where we did this kind of stuff it was called a junior achevement….. and it was sorta boring so that is how much they get.
hi my name is miguel tapia i go to the school nmsu alamogordo new mexico to become an arcetect. and the school here do not give the classes i need to take for arcetect. they are giveing me the basic fundmintels
I wasn’t so sure what an architect was about , i work well with my hands and use my thoughts realy well. I believe by reading many pages on the internet, i come extremely close to meeting my future in helping build a better and stronger world.
I read an article last summer about how overrated architects are in media. We are always portrayed as heroes in movies and TV shows. The article also summarized that our profession is the most underpaid profession. This was concluded by comparing the amount of schooling, cost of loans, amount of hours spent working a week, vacation taken, liability insurance, and annual salary…all this was compared to doctors, lawyers, developers, stock brokers, engineers, contractors, pharmacists, etc. We, and I mean Architects, are at the bottom of the list in the comparison. Pharmacists were at the top.
This makes me wonder why we are at the bottom of the list when past centuries dictate that architects were always the “right hand” to kings, emperors, pharaohs, popes, tzars, and dictators. Have we sold ourselves short? Or is this a simple matter of supply and demand? Perhaps that is a different rant.
My advice would be to any one questioning whether or not to get into the field: Do it because you love it. If you’re in it for the money, become a pharmacist instead.
“…architects were always the “right hand” to kings, emperors, pharaohs, popes, tzars, and dictators….”
But that’s exactly the point. Today, a pharaoh has less power/influence/authority than 4 millenia ago.
were they not also entombed with their clients ?!?
Wow! I should be earning about 8x my current income according to this! Oh, wait, this small note at the bottom says the statistics do not include self-employed architects.
either you’re putting most of your profits back into the business and paying yourself a minimal tax-effective salary, or you’re struggling to find enough work — this is not a normal situation, but self-employed architects can be the highest paid in the business, (once they have a crew of drafties/student worker-bees to help out).
Not that i doubt the veracity of the statistics. Nor the fact that there is no ‘easy’ profession, and large salaries are 99.9% the result of hard work. But i have yet to see a compilation of architectural salaries that accurately reflected what i or my colleagues ever made.
What needs to happen is an opening of the books to show the disparities involved. Throw in sketchy job security, late nights, having to learn a dozen or so computer programs (then relearn them every couple of years), keeping up with the latest fads (BIM, LEED, laser cutting, etc.), and people will start to learn why it’s called an ‘old man’s profession.’
Holy crap!!! Architects get paid?
Tu Madre
Forget the BLS, I want the autograph. It won’t make me rich, but it sure will make me happy!
Fantastic post, Bob. I’ve often wondered myself what architect’s make around the country but never done the research. I will now refer to this post whenever someone asks me about architect’s salaries (seems to be the only question high schoolers ask about architecture).
If you do decide to poke around this site, you can really drill down into very specific areas and get an amazing amount of detail.
Cheers
I did look around. It made me sad. It sucks to make less than the bottom 10% of the profession. Boooooo.
It’s definitely for the autographed 8 by 10
that’s completely understandable … it might be worth something one day 😉
Hello. i want to be an architect when I’m older. what do you need to study in university and college to be an Architect. and how long do you need to study to be a professional architect in university?
I’m going to wait for your respond.
wrong place for this question but start here:
http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/do-you-want-to-be-an-architect/