How much does a architect make?

In the United States, architects with more experience, a license, or special skills may earn more. Pay also varies by employer, location, and specialty; deadline weeks can mean extra work, while self-employed architects may have flexible hours.

Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property. Excludes “Landscape Architects” (17-1012) and “Marine Engineers and Naval Architects” (17-2121).

What's a typical day like?

Architects meet clients and teammates, then use computer tools to turn ideas into drawings and 3D plans. They also visit building sites, checking that the work matches the plans.

Many U.S. students start after high school, often around 18, and earn a five-year architecture degree. Next, they get supervised paid experience (often about three years) and pass the state-required Architect Registration Examination to become licensed.

Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.

Hundreds of architects volunteer to write, test, and analyze the U.S. licensing exam—architects help create the test future architects must pass.

The US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.