Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
None
Internship/residency
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Architects, except landscape and naval, work in a profession that combines creative design with analytical and technical skills. Nationally, this occupation employs about 124,000 people, indicating a sizable professional community. The national median annual salary of $96,690 reflects solid earning potential, with higher pay available in some states and metro areas. Projected employment growth of 3.9% and around 8,000 annual openings suggest an ongoing need for new and experienced architects entering or advancing within the field. Success in this career draws on creativity and innovation, critical and analytical thinking, and comfort with computers and information technology, supported by strengths in mathematics and science. Leadership, project management, and strong communication abilities—both speaking and writing—also play important roles. For students, career changers, and established professionals, this career offers a blend of design-focused work and structured problem-solving, with opportunities to progress in different regions and work settings across the country.
The national median annual salary for architects, except landscape and naval, is $96,690, but pay can vary meaningfully by location. Among the top states by CareerGPS opportunity score, Massachusetts shows a median salary of $117,330, while California is at $108,540 and New York at $99,280. Colorado and Washington also exceed $100,000 in median pay. At the metro level, earnings can be even higher: San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA reports a median salary of $129,640, and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA has a median of $126,550. Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH reaches $119,120. These figures suggest that certain metro areas and states offer stronger earning potential than the national median, particularly in select California and Massachusetts locations. Prospective and current architects can use these differences to weigh relocation or job-search strategies when aiming to maximize income over the course of their careers.
Architects, except landscape and naval, have national employment of about 124,000, indicating a well-established occupation. Projected employment growth of 3.9% points to a modest increase in positions over time. In addition, there are about 8,000 annual openings. These openings can reflect a mix of new positions and roles created by turnover or career movement. Taken together, the growth rate and annual openings suggest that while competition may exist, there are recurring opportunities for both new graduates and experienced professionals. This outlook is consistent across many of the top states and metro areas listed, which all share the same 3.9% projected growth rate. For individuals planning education or career transitions, the combination of an existing employment base, ongoing openings, and projected growth can support long-term planning, with the understanding that opportunities are likely to emerge regularly rather than only in short bursts.
Location plays a significant role in opportunity for architects, except landscape and naval. Among states, California has the highest employment level at 13,270 and a median salary of $108,540, with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts offers the highest median salary listed at $117,330 and an opportunity score of 65.87, while New York combines a median salary of $99,280 with employment of 10,360. Colorado and Washington provide six-figure median salaries and mid‑50s opportunity scores, suggesting viable options beyond the largest states. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA stands out with a median salary of $129,640 and an opportunity score of 77.42. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro has a large employment base of 10,240 and a high opportunity score of 77.27. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC‑VA‑MD‑WV, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA‑NH also combine strong salaries and solid scores, giving job seekers several attractive regional options to consider.
For architects, except landscape and naval, the typical education requirement is a bachelor’s degree. This educational foundation supports the diverse skill set associated with the role. Creativity and innovation are central, allowing architects to develop original concepts, while critical and analytical thinking and mathematics help them evaluate options and solve design-related problems. Comfort with computers and information technology is important as digital tools are a key part of modern practice. Science knowledge also contributes to understanding technical aspects of projects. Project management and leadership skills support coordinating work and guiding efforts over time. Strong writing and reading abilities, paired with speaking and listening skills, enable clear communication with a range of stakeholders. Adaptability rounds out the profile, helping architects respond to changing project needs and environments. Students and career changers considering this path can look for bachelor’s programs and experiences that build this blend of creative, technical, and communication skills.
Use CareerGPS Pro to compare markets, understand the tradeoffs, and focus on the places with the strongest potential.
