How to Become a Architect in 2026
Quick answer: Becoming a architect requires a 4-year degree - typically a NAAB-accredited Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch, 5 years) or M.Arch. The national median pay is $99,280 per year, and BLS projects +3.9% employment change from 2024 to 2034 (BLS OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Architect at a Glance
| Metric | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $99,280 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Typical wage range | $62,300 (10th pct) - $161,420 (90th pct) | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected growth (2024-34) | +3.9% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
| Typical education | NAAB-accredited Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch, 5 years) or M.Arch | BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook |
| License / certification | State architecture license via the ARE exam (required to stamp drawings) | State licensing boards |
What Does a Architect Do?
Architects design buildings and oversee their construction: developing concepts, producing construction documents, coordinating engineers, navigating codes and permits, and administering construction contracts alongside the trades that build the work.
Skills That Make a Great Architect
- Design and drafting in Revit/BIM
- Building-code and zoning analysis
- Construction detailing that can be built
- Client presentation and communication
- Consultant and permit coordination
How to Become a Architect
1. Earn a NAAB-accredited degree
A 5-year B.Arch or a bachelor’s plus M.Arch; NAAB accreditation is required for licensure in most states.
2. Complete AXP experience hours
The Architectural Experience Program logs ~3,740 supervised hours across practice areas.
3. Pass the ARE
The six-division Architect Registration Examination.
4. Get your state license
State boards issue the license to stamp and seal drawings.
5. Advance
Project architect, principal, or firm ownership; NCARB certification eases multi-state practice.
Why an Online Degree Works for This Career
Carpenters, drafters, and construction supervisors bring exactly the buildability knowledge architecture schools cannot teach. NAAB-accredited online and hybrid architecture programs exist for working professionals, pairing remote studios with short residencies.
Architect Salary
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $62,300 |
| 25th | $77,960 |
| 50th (median) | $99,280 |
| 75th | $126,550 |
| 90th | $161,420 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 123,600 |
| 2034 projected | 128,400 |
| Percent change | +3.9% |
Cost and Time to Complete the Degree
For architects, the credential is: NAAB-accredited Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch, 5 years) or M.Arch. The accredited path is a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture (or a 4-year degree plus a 2-3 year M.Arch), followed by AXP experience hours and the ARE exams; plan on licensure being a decade-scale project, not a degree-scale one. Transfer credit is the other lever: prior college, military training, apprenticeship coursework, and industry certifications can be worth a year or more at transfer-friendly schools, so get a written transfer evaluation before enrolling anywhere. Costs vary widely by school type; in-state public online programs are usually the value benchmark, and employer tuition assistance is common for working adults in this field.
Pros and Cons of Becoming a Architect
Pros
- Median pay of $99,280 nationally (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- BLS projects +3.9% employment growth through 2034
- Field experience from the trades is a genuine hiring advantage
- Accredited online and hybrid degree paths exist for working adults
Cons
- Requires a 4-year degree (typically 120 credit hours)
- Entry-level pay starts near $62,300 at the 10th percentile
- Licensing hurdle: State architecture license via the ARE exam (required to stamp drawings)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a carpenter or builder become an architect?
Yes - field experience is highly valued, and construction hours can count toward AXP experience requirements. The main investment is the NAAB-accredited degree.
How much do architects make?
The national median annual wage for architects, except landscape and naval is $99,280 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The top 10% earn $161,420 or more, while entry-level pay starts around $62,300.
What is the job outlook for architects?
BLS projects employment of architects, except landscape and naval to change by +3.9% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Architect Salary and Requirements by State
Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming
Related Trade Careers
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Architects, Except Landscape and Naval (SOC 17-1011)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Architect Salary by State
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |