Architects (Except Landscape and Naval)
O*NET title: Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
Also called: Architect, Architectural Designer, Building Architect, Building Consultant, Building Information Modeling Specialist (BIM Specialist), Commercial Green Building Architect
Median pay
$99,280
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$62,300 – $161,420
People employed
106,770
Holland code
RCA
Realistic · Conventional · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 2.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Architects (Except Landscape and Naval) pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Architects (Except Landscape and Naval) salary in every state →
What architects (except landscape and naval) do
- 01Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools.
- 02Plan or design structures such as residences, office buildings, theatres, factories, or other structural properties in accordance with environmental, safety, or other regulations.
- 03Meet with clients to review or discuss architectural drawings.
- 04Prepare contract documents for building contractors.
- 05Develop final construction plans that include aesthetic representations of the structure or details for its construction.
- 06Conduct periodic on-site observations of construction work to monitor compliance with plans.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Design
- Building and Construction
- Engineering and Technology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
- Innovation
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 6 years, up to and including 8 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from architects (except landscape and naval)
- Civil Engineers86% · +2%
- Transportation Engineers74% · group pay
- Wind Energy Engineers74% · group pay
- Construction Managers74% · +16%
- Industrial Engineers72% · +3%
Change into architects (except landscape and naval)
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Civil Engineers81% · $100,840
- Architectural and Civil Drafters72% · $66,150
- Interior Designers72% · $67,190
- Transportation Engineers72% · $100,840
- Wind Energy Engineers72% · $122,930
Majors that lead here
- Architecture
- Architectural Design
- Environmental Design/Architecture
- Architectural History and Criticism, General
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.