The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.1 percent employment growth for architects between 2020 and 2030. In that period, an estimated 3,900 jobs should open up. Architects use their skills in design, engineering, managing and coordinating to create aesthetically pleasing and safe buildings that serve a purpose.
Google's average monthly search data revealed that there is a considerably high demand for construction architect jobs in the main metropolitan areas of California.
Architects are about average in terms of happiness. At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, architects rate their career happiness 3.1 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 41% of careers.
There are immense opportunities for architects in the future. At present, only around 1.2 lakh architects are in India and there is a huge demand for new architects and building designers in near future. Architects can work with development organizations wherein they are approached to fill in as a fashioner.
Job Outlook
Employment of architects is projected to grow 3 percent from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 9,400 openings for architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
How Much Does an Architect Make? Architects made a median salary of $82,320 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $106,680 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $63,420.
From the moment we attend our very first lecture to the peak of our careers, architects are plagued with stressful events that are unlike any other profession. Meeting deadlines, dealing with planning and fabricating the dreams of our clients, our job can be intense and extremely demanding.
According to their statistics, architecture majors ranked number five overall, but were the worst off when it came to employment, with a 13.9-percent unemployment rate for recent graduates and a 9.2-percent unemployment rate for experienced graduates.
We see that many architects actually earn very little, considering the work that they do and the responsibilities they carry. Long hours, a lot of stress, strict deadlines, demanding clients, lots of responsibilities and working during the weekend; all of that for a moderate compensation in a highly competitive market.
While architecture pertains specifically to buildings and structures, engineering applies to the design of solutions to all kinds of real-world problems and situations. Engineers who focus on designing and developing buildings often go by job titles like civil engineer, structural engineer or construction engineer.
Architects are well-paid and appreciated
People who choose to go on this career path and become architects will do more than design buildings, offices, and structures. They will design homes, they will design places where people live, work, laugh, and spend most of the time.
Construction workers are the #1 happiest job for a reason—they do what humans are built for! They plan, move and use their bodies, and get to see their creative works come to life. Not all construction jobs are easy to jump into, however.
Architecture is more difficult than many degrees as it involves thinking creatively and technically, covering a wide range of disciplines, including art, science, history, geography, and philosophy. Architecture is also an incredibly time-intensive course, with an average workload of 36.7 hours per week.
Unemployment Rate for Architects
The architecture unemployment rate in 2021 averaged at about 2.9 percent, with the highest rates in January (3.5 percent) and lowest in November (1.4 percent).
Principals at major corporate firms like Gensler, SOM, HOK, etc... earn more like $500,000 to $1,000,000. Architects consider themselves poor because they always compare themselves to other white collar professionals like lawyers, doctors, and bankers who generally make more money.
Here is another snapshot: The Washington Post reports that architecture students study harder than any other students. According to the National Survey of Student Engagement, architecture majors studied 23.7 hours per week—more than chemical engineering, physics, and chemistry majors (the next hardest studiers).
In the magazine's recently published Best Careers 2009 package, architect is listed as one of 13 overrated careers, joining such other unworthy vocations as attorney, physician, police officer, and teacher.
Architecture school is a ton of fun! Traveling the world, meeting cool architecture people, staying up all night, working really hard alongside your best friends and always testing the limits. Some people (myself included) never wanted architecture school to end because it was soo much fun.
The only thing that puts an official stop to your work is the deadline, or due date. The second reason architecture is so hard is that it requires deep thinking and understanding. Architecture is very design heavy and problem-solving based. These things require deep thinking and critical thought.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) architects make up only 5.89% of the Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services industry. With such a small percentage, architects could be severely depressed and the survey might never catch it.
Most Architects work a 40-hour week; however, deadlines may bring extra pressure to a job, requiring longer work hours, which may include nights and weekends.