Occupation · SOC 17-1011
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
Median wage
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Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
78 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingReading ComprehensionOperations AnalysisCritical ThinkingWritingActive ListeningMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningSystems AnalysisMathematicsCoordinationSystems EvaluationSocial PerceptivenessLearning StrategiesQuality Control AnalysisPersuasionNegotiationTime ManagementManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingService OrientationScienceManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesOperations MonitoringTechnology DesignTroubleshootingProgrammingOperation and ControlEquipment SelectionRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
DesignBuilding and ConstructionPublic Safety and SecurityEngineering and TechnologyComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServiceLaw and GovernmentMechanicalMathematicsSales and MarketingEconomics and AccountingFine ArtsProduction and ProcessingPhysicsEducation and TrainingPersonnel and Human ResourcesGeographyAdministrativeHistory and ArcheologyPsychologyCommunications and MediaSociology and AnthropologyTelecommunicationsTransportationPhilosophy and TheologyChemistryForeign LanguageBiologyTherapy and CounselingFood ProductionMedicine and Dentistry
Technology & tools
1ST Pricing Window & Door ToolkitAdobe AcrobatAdobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopAmazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2Amazon RedshiftAmazon Web Services AWS softwareApache CassandraApache HadoopApache HiveApache MavenApache PigApplied Search Technology CADFindArtifice DesignWorkshopAutoDesSys form ZAutodesk 3ds Max DesignAutodesk Architectural StudioAutodesk AutoCADAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DAutodesk RevitAzTechSoft GPS2CADBQE Software ArchiOfficeBeamChekBentley MicroStationChefComputer aided design and drafting software CADDComputer aided manufacturing CAM softwareCraftsman CD EstimatorDatabase softwareDrcauto Smart Architect LT ProESRI ArcGIS softwareFEMA EMMIEFileNet P8Graphisoft ArchiCADIntuit QuickBooksMcNeel Rhinoceros 3DMicro-Press MicroStation PowerDraftMicrosoft Access
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersThinking CreativelyDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsGetting InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsScheduling Work and ActivitiesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsAnalyzing Data or InformationTraining and Teaching OthersProcessing InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsSelling or Influencing OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Scale drawings and basic architectural layouts — produce using CAD software under direct supervision on entry-level residential or commercial projects.Client functional and spatial requirements — gather and document through structured interviews under the guidance of a licensed architect.Architectural design standards and building codes — recognize and apply basic provisions when preparing preliminary design documents in a professional firm.Aesthetic representations of proposed structures — draft using desktop publishing and graphics software following established office templates and style guides.Material specifications and construction details — compile from standard reference sources under senior architect review for straightforward building types.Construction cost estimates and project timelines — assist in preparing preliminary figures using office-provided spreadsheet tools and historical cost data.Engineering elements such as structural and mechanical systems — identify and flag for integration into architectural drawings with guidance from project leads.Technical drawings and design documents — review for completeness and consistency against project briefs under close supervision in a studio environment.Communication with clients during drawing review meetings — participate by presenting assigned drawing sets and recording feedback under architect oversight.Analytical and scientific software tools — apply to basic site analysis and performance modeling tasks as directed within a multidisciplinary design team.
developing
Final construction plan sets including aesthetic and technical details — coordinate and produce using CAD software with limited oversight on mid-scale commercial projects.Client consultation sessions — conduct independently to clarify functional and spatial requirements, documenting outcomes for project team review.Design specification packages covering materials, color, equipment, and finishes — prepare and assemble for client approval on routine project types within established firm protocols.Architectural layout plans for structural projects — develop and iterate in response to code, site, and program constraints with periodic senior review.Specialist consultants including mechanical and electrical engineers — monitor work products and coordinate drawing coordination meetings to ensure design intent is maintained.Construction drawings and design narratives — write and revise to professional standard, adapting language for technical and non-technical audiences.Integrated engineering systems within architectural designs — resolve routine conflicts between structural, mechanical, and architectural elements using systems analysis techniques.Building and construction regulations — apply comprehensively when preparing permit submission packages for mid-complexity projects in multiple jurisdictions.Project databases and document management software — maintain and update to ensure version control and accessibility across distributed design teams.Critical design decisions regarding form, program, and structure — evaluate using deductive reasoning and documented decision matrices, escalating complex cases to senior architects.
proficient
Complete construction document sets for complex, large-scale projects — author and coordinate autonomously, ensuring full integration of all engineering disciplines within the architectural design.Architectural designs of high aesthetic and technical complexity — develop from concept through construction administration, using advanced CAD and computational design tools.Client briefing, design review, and approval processes — lead across all project phases, negotiating scope, budget, and schedule trade-offs with confidence and authority.Non-routine structural and spatial challenges — resolve through original problem-solving, applying inductive and deductive reasoning across unfamiliar building typologies.Multi-disciplinary specialist teams including structural, mechanical, electrical, and acoustic engineers — direct and evaluate to ensure optimal functional and formal outcomes.Comprehensive project information packages — prepare covering design rationale, material specifications, regulatory compliance, cost analyses, and construction schedules for diverse stakeholders.Public safety, accessibility, and sustainability requirements — interpret and integrate proactively into all design decisions across the full project lifecycle.Procurement and contract documentation — oversee using specialized procurement software, ensuring contractor selection aligns with design quality and project requirements.Emerging design technologies and construction methodologies — evaluate and selectively adopt to improve design outcomes and office efficiency, sharing findings with the project team.Complex regulatory and zoning environments — navigate independently, preparing variance applications and presenting design justifications to planning and building authorities.
advanced
Firm-wide design vision and architectural standards — define and articulate, establishing a distinctive design culture that guides project teams across all building typologies and scales.Strategic client relationships with major institutional, governmental, and commercial clients — cultivate and steward, translating high-level organizational goals into transformative architectural briefs.Organizational project delivery frameworks — design and implement, including document management protocols, CAD and BIM standards, and quality assurance systems across multiple studios.Junior and mid-level architects and interns — mentor and develop systematically, creating structured learning pathways that accelerate licensure and professional growth.Cross-disciplinary design and engineering teams on landmark or highly complex projects — lead at program level, resolving systemic conflicts and setting integration strategies.Architectural innovation agenda — drive by championing new computational tools, sustainable design methodologies, and emerging construction technologies at industry forums and within the organization.Regulatory, political, and community stakeholder environments — engage authoritatively, shaping public policy discussions and advocating for design excellence and urban quality.Business development and proposal strategy — lead for major pursuits, directing fee negotiations, team composition, and competitive positioning to win high-profile commissions.Organizational risk management in design and construction — oversee, establishing policies for legal compliance, professional liability, and contract administration across all active projects.Long-term organizational capability and market positioning — set direction for, identifying emerging practice areas, forging strategic partnerships, and shaping the firm's multi-year growth strategy.
Also known as
33 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
ArchitectBuilding ArchitectBuilding ConsultantBuilding Information Modeling Specialist (BIM Specialist)Commercial Green Building ArchitectCommercial Green Building DesignerCommercial Green Retrofit ArchitectDesign ArchitectFacilities PlannerFacility DesignerGreen Building ArchitectGreen Building Design SpecialistGreen Building Materials DesignerHealthcare ArchitectHealthcare Project ArchitectHome DesignerHouse DesignerInterior ArchitectLicensed ArchitectLocation AnalystLocation ManLocation WorkerPlannerPlumbing DesignerProject ArchitectReal Estate Site AnalystRegistered Architect (RA)Residential DesignerResidential Green Building DesignerSpace PlannerSpecifications WriterStructural ArchitectStructural Designer