If you’re interested in becoming an architect, one of your first questions is probably how much money you can make. Architects make a good salary, and the demand for their services continues to grow. Let’s discuss architect salaries in detail.
Architect Salary in 2022 – Hourly and Annual Wages
The architect profession is expected to grow by about four percent in the next decade. This growth is a little slower than the average for all professions, but it’s still good news for those considering a career in the field. Data for 2022 isn’t available yet, but we can make some estimates.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that, as of May 2020, architect salaries averaged $43.01 per hour, excluding naval and landscape architects. Naval architects had a mean hourly wage of $47.88, while landscape architects made $36.27 per hour on average.
This means that the mean annual salary ranged from $75,440 for landscape architects to $89,470 and $99,590 for regular and naval architects, respectively.
In 2022, we expect an experienced – but not master – architect to make between $70,489 and $104,642. That’s the median architect salary across the United States, calculated by Salary.com.
What Do Architect’s Salaries Depend on?
There are several factors that can affect your salary in the field. Here are some of the most important ones:
- how many years of experience you have,
- how big of a company you work for,
- your location,
- the type of architecture you practice.
Architect Salaries over the Years
Looking through the BLS’ records, we found that the mean hourly wage for a non-naval, non-landscape architect grew from $37.75 in 2010 to $43.01 in 2020. That’s an increase of almost 14% in 10 years. Here’s a comparison of annual architect salaries over the years:
- 2010 – $78,530
- 2011 – $79,300
- 2012 – $78,690
- 2013 – $79,650
- 2014 – $80,490
- 2015 – $82,850
- 2016 – $84,470
- 2017 – $87,500
- 2018 – $88,860
- 2019 – $89,560
- 2020 – $89,470
As you can see, architect salaries have been on the rise in the last decade. The same goes for naval architects and landscape architects. We expect this trend to continue, especially as the demand for their services grows.
Architect Salaries by State
Now let’s take a look at architect salaries by state. The five states with the highest mean annual wage for architects (except landscape and naval) in 2020 were:
- District of Columbia – $109,540
- New York – $101,650
- Minnesota – $100,650
- New Hampshire – $98,920
- Alaska – $98,240
Some of the states with the lowest salaries were Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Kentucky.
For naval architects, the top paying states were District of Columbia, Texas, Maryland, Alaska, and California. Landscape architects made the most in California, New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, and District of Columbia.
What Does an Architect Do? Work Conditions and Tasks
Architects are responsible for the design of buildings and other structures. This includes everything from small residential projects to large commercial developments.
They typically work in offices, but may also spend time on construction sites. They generally have a good working conditions, with a regular work schedule and comfortable office environment. This means you won’t need to overwork yourself for a good architect salary.
History of the Architect Profession
The profession can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, who used architect drawings to build pyramids. The Romans also had a strong architect tradition, and many of their structures still stand today.
In more recent history, the architect profession was formalized in the 18th century. This led to the development of modern architecture, which is still practiced today.
Should You Become an Architect?
If you’re interested in a career in architecture, now is a good time to enter the profession. The average architect salary is on the rise, and the demand for services in the field is expected to grow in the coming years. It’s a good fit for those who have:
- strong visualization skills,
- an interest in design and construction,
- good math and science skills,
- strong problem-solving abilities,
- good communication and interpersonal skills.
What Hours do Architects Work?
Most architects work full time, but some may work part-time. They typically work 40 hours per week, but may occasionally have to work overtime to meet deadlines.
What Qualifications do Architects Need?
In order to become an architect, you’ll need to have a professional degree in architecture from a school accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. You’ll also need to complete an internship and pass the Architect Registration Examination.
In order to practice in the field, you’ll need to be licensed in the state where you plan to work. Each state has its own licensing requirements, so be sure to check with your local board of architecture for more information.
Architecture Salaries are Good and On the Rise
As you can see, architect salaries are good and on the rise. If you’re interested in a career in architecture, now is a great time to enter the profession. Salaries are expected to continue to grow in the coming years, so don’t miss your chance!
