How to become an architect, except landscape and naval
Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect most of these occupations require graduate school. for example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a ph.d., m.d., or j.d. (law degree)..Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
What architects, except landscape and naval do
- Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools.
- Plan or design structures such as residences, office buildings, theatres, factories, or other structural properties in accordance with environmental, safety, or other regulations.
- Meet with clients to review or discuss architectural drawings.
- Prepare contract documents for building contractors.
- Develop final construction plans that include aesthetic representations of the structure or details for its construction.
- Conduct 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
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
Is architect, except landscape and naval a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 95% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Wyoming $120,580
- Massachusetts $117,330
- Maryland $114,550
- Alaska $108,730
- California $108,540
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.