Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
SOC code 17-1011 · O*NET-SOC 17-1011.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Science and engineering
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$99,280
a year
Hourly
$47.73
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$106,260
$51.09 per hour
Middle 50%
$77,960 – $126,550
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$62,300 – $161,420
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
106,770
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $62,300
- $29.95/hr
- 25th percentile
- $77,960
- $37.48/hr
- Median percentile
- $99,280
- $47.73/hr
- 75th percentile
- $126,550
- $60.84/hr
- 90th percentile
- $161,420
- $77.61/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+4%
Growing faster than average
123,600
jobs in 2024
128,400
projected for 2034
About 4,800 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do architects, except landscape and naval do?
Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Consult with clients to determine functional or spatial requirements of structures.
- Integrate engineering elements into unified architectural designs.
How to qualify for this work
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- 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).
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does an architects, except landscape and naval earn?
The national median is $99,280 a year. The full range runs from $62,300 at the 10th percentile to $161,420 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an architects, except landscape and naval without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is 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). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is architects, except landscape and naval in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 4% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking4.3/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Writing3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Design4.7/5
- Building and Construction4.6/5
- Engineering and Technology4.0/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- Public Safety and Security3.9/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Law and Government3.8/5
- Administration and Management3.7/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.