Find out what degree you need to become an architect. Learn about what to study, what skills you'll need and how much you might make to determine if this career is a good fit for you.
Career Information at a Glance
Architects are responsible for drawing up designs for a vast array of buildings, from hospitals and offices to factories and residences. They typically oversee every aspect of a process that includes coming up with creative ideas, using technical know-how to design blueprints and supervising construction. They must balance a building's beauty with legal restrictions, questions about public safety and, of course, practicality. Architects need at least a bachelor's degree in architecture to get started. The table below provides a quick overview of the typical wages, licensure and educational requirements for architects.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Required</b></td><td>Bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Education Field of Study</b></td><td>Architecture</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Training Required</b></td><td>Internship</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Skills</b></td><td>Creativity, visualization and analytical skills</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Licensure Required</b></td><td>Required in every state and D.C.</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b></td><td>3%*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$82,320 per year*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDegreeDoYouNeedToBeAnArchitect">What Degree Do You Need to be an Architect?</h3><p>At the minimum, you must earn a Bachelor of Architecture degree from an accredited program to be considered for a job as an architect. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 122 schools in the United States that are accredited by the National Architecture Accrediting Board. Many are 5-year programs. Some architects choose to get a master's degree, which can add anywhere from one to five more years to their education.
</p><p>Areas of study may include math, building design, computer-aided design and drafting, the history of architecture and methods of construction.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatKindOfTrainingIsNecessary">What Kind of Training Is Necessary?</h3><p>Even with a 5-year bachelor's degree or a master's degree, architectural registration boards mandate that graduates complete an internship. During the internship - which usually lasts up to three years - graduates help draw blueprints, work on building models and research local building codes, among other tasks. Once the internship is complete, graduates can apply to become licensed.
</p><h3 id="section---DoYouNeedALicenseToBeAnArchitect">Do You Need a License to Be an Architect?</h3><p>Every state - and the District of Columbia -- requires licensure before architects can practice. A licensure candidate must typically have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited program and completed an internship. Then, he or she can take the Architect Registration Examination to become licensed. In addition, most states require architects to complete continuing education to renew their licenses. Continuing education consists of short-term training like seminars, self-study courses and workshops.
</p><h3 id="section---HowMuchDoArchitectsMake">How Much Do Architects Make?</h3><p>In 2020, the median annual salary for an architect in the United States was $82,320, according to the BLS. The top 10% saw a median annual wage of $136,310 or more. The lowest 10% made $49,950 or less. Architects working for the government, one of the top industries for these professionals in terms of employment, brought home median salaries of $97,960.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatSTheJobOutlookForArchitects">What's the Job Outlook for Architects?</h3><p>The BLS projected that employment of architects would grow by 3% between 2020 and 2030. That's slower than the national average for all other jobs. The BLS notes that architects who specialize in green design, which involves using environmentally friendly materials, reducing waste and cutting down on energy consumption, should be in higher demand.</p>
