Best Jobs 2012: Architect

As one of the Best Jobs of 2012, this profession should see significant growth over the next decade

The Rundown: Think of all the places you go in a single day: coffee shops, train stations, office buildings, restaurants, grocery stores, city parks, and so on. What may not dawn on you in the rush of the day is that all these places are the creation of architects. To ensure their creations are practical, safe, and aesthetically pleasing, architects are involved in each stage of the construction process, from the initial planning session to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. This level of involvement requires a diverse skill set, which includes designing, engineering, managing, supervising, and interacting with clients and builders. Communication skills are especially important. Architects must effectively convey their unique vision for a project and interact with professionals from many fields.

The Outlook:

With steady migration to Sun Belt states and many baby boomers retiring in the next few years, there should be an uptick in demand for new homes, healthcare facilities, and office buildings. This means the job market for architects should remain solid. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects architect employment growth of 23.1 percent between 2010 and 2020, adding 31,300 more professionals to the 135,400 already-existing jobs in this field.

Money:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage for architects was $72,550 in 2010. The best-paid 10 percent in the profession made approximately $119,500, while the bottom 10 percent made approximately $42,860. The highest-paid in the profession work in the metropolitan areas of Sarasota, Fla., Allentown, Penn, and Sacramento.

Architect Salary Range:

75th Percentile Wage: $93,020

Median Wage: $72,550

25th Percentile Wage: $54,650

Education and Preparation:

Most states require architects to possess a professional degree in architecture from one of the nearly 120 schools of architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. However, state architectural registration boards specify their own standards, so a degree from non-accredited program may suffice in select states. Therefore, check the requirements for any state where you wish to work. There are a few routes to obtaining a degree in architecture. Most architects choose the five-year degree intended for students with no previous training. Others opt to enroll in a graduate program, which can take one to five years to complete, after obtaining an undergraduate degree in a field outside of architecture. Graduates must complete a training period, typically of three years or more, before they may sit for the licensing exam. Requirements for this training period vary by state.

On Landing an Architect Job:

Architects interact with a wide-ranging group of people on each project, so working well with others is a must. "You need to show that you work well in teams—especially with people different than you are," Richard L. Hayes, director of knowledge resources for The American Institute of Architects, wrote in an email. According to Hayes, demonstrating that you "can think about the best path through a complex problem" is another important element to getting a job in the field. Healthcare architecture, such as designing healthy communities and buildings, is a growing area of specialization that Hayes recommends for aspiring architects.

What is an Architect Job Like?

Architects spend most of their time drafting plans or corresponding with clients from comfortable office spaces, but they also frequently visit construction sites to check on the progress of projects. Successful architects are able to juggle a number of professional relationships for each project while still completing other job responsibilities. Most architects work less than 50 hours per week, but as deadlines approach, many are forced to work long nights or weekends to finish in time.