Architects (Except Landscape and Naval) build operations analysis, complex problem solving and judgment and decision making skills that carry over to other work. Below are 25 careers ranked by how closely their skills match, with pay from BLS May 2025. The closest match is Civil Engineers (86%).
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Sorted by skill match.
| # | Career | Skill match | Median pay | Pay change | Extra education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Civil Engineers | 86% | $100,840 | +2% | None |
| 2 | Transportation Engineers | 74% | $100,840Pay for the broader BLS group “Civil Engineers” | Not compared | None |
| 3 | Wind Energy Engineers | 74% | $122,930Pay for the broader BLS group “Engineers, All Other” | Not compared | None |
| 4 | Construction Managers | 74% | $114,990 | +16% | None |
| 5 | Industrial Engineers | 72% | $102,440 | +3% | None |
| 6 | Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 72% | $122,930Pay for the broader BLS group “Engineers, All Other” | Not compared | None |
| 7 | Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers | 72% | $115,160Pay for the broader BLS group “Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors” | Not compared | None |
| 8 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | 72% | $171,270 | +73% | None |
| 9 | Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 72% | $122,930Pay for the broader BLS group “Engineers, All Other” | Not compared | None |
| 10 | Water/Wastewater Engineers | 71% | $100,840Pay for the broader BLS group “Civil Engineers” | Not compared | None |
Compared with Architects, Except Landscape and Naval, median $99,280. Skill match is our estimate (0–99) from O*NET 31.0 skills, knowledge, work activities and interests, adjusted for preparation and big pay drops. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, national median.
How important each skill is in work as architects (except landscape and naval) (O*NET importance, scale 1–5).
The gaps that show up most often across your top 10 matches.
Free and low-cost training: use the CareerOneStop training finder below.
A concrete first step, the skills to add, and the hard parts of each job, from O*NET 31.0 education, training and work context data.
86% skill match · $100,840 · +2% pay
Time Management · Repairing · Equipment Maintenance
74% skill match · $100,840 (broader BLS group)
Time Management · Technology Design · Troubleshooting
74% skill match · $122,930 (broader BLS group)
Programming · Operations Monitoring · Technology Design
If you want to stay close to what you do now, these roles are the nearest.
The closest matches are Civil Engineers (86% skill match, median $100,840), Transportation Engineers (74% skill match, median $100,840) and Wind Energy Engineers (74% skill match, median $122,930), based on O*NET 31.0 data and BLS May 2025 pay.
Among the 25 matches, 10 pay more than architects (except landscape and naval) at the median. The biggest increases: Architectural and Engineering Managers (+73%, $171,270), Petroleum Engineers (+46%, $144,910) and Aerospace Engineers (+36%, $134,960).
25 of the 25 matches usually need no more education than you have now, based on O*NET Job Zones.
We compare the importance of skills, knowledge, work activities and interests in O*NET 31.0 for your job and every other career, then adjust for extra preparation and big pay drops. The full method is on our Methodology page.