# Job market for Architecture? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 8, 2017, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769 "2017-09-08T02:03:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Architect2017](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Architect2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Architect2017)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2017, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/1 "2017-09-08T02:03:03Z")
Hello everyone I’m giving some thought to going to graduate school for Architecture however I am unsure if it’s the right idea because I’ve heard here and there that the job market isn’t doing well for it ( like every other occupation ). I’m trying to really get the truth about just how that field is doing and if it’s looking like it can and will bounce back? Thank you all for your insight and any helpful advice you could provide! ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2017, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/2 "2017-09-08T02:09:31Z")
a lot depends on where you live. If the area is growing the job market can be pretty good. A lot of sunbelt and west areas are doing well now. But when the economy turns down architects can lose jobs due to a lack of new construction. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2017, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/3 "2017-09-08T02:13:46Z")
Since the OP is looking for advice, let’s move this to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2017, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/4 "2017-09-08T03:28:51Z")
From the [Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/architects.htm), “Job Outlook Employment of architects is projected to grow 7 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Competition for jobs will be very strong because the number of applicants continues to outnumber available positions.” So you’re going to have a hard time finding a job. ---
**Author:** ![Architect2017](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Architect2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Architect2017)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/5 "2017-09-09T17:03:04Z")
Thank you all for getting back to me. Yes it appears that this may be difficult. Why is this doing so badly? Why the lack of market demand? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/6 "2017-09-09T17:07:38Z")
I will offer you the same excellent advice my father (an engineer) gave me when I came home proudly showing him my technical drafting drawings and announcing I was going to go to college to be come an architect: “Son,” he said, “based on these drawings, I think you’ll make an excellent computer programmer.” I took his advice without a day of regret. ---
**Author:** ![Architect2017](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Architect2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Architect2017)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/7 "2017-09-09T20:32:41Z")
I don’t understand ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/8 "2017-09-09T22:39:19Z")
I think he means to change your focus if you are actually interested in a job and money. Architecture has an oversupply of people that have dreamed about designing buildings since childhood but the pay is fairly low even if you can get a job at all considering the educational requirements. Go for tech instead. One of the best jobs of all is Systems Architect. There is a reason it shares the name. You won’t be designing buildings but the skill set required is similar. There is a ton of demand and the pay is very high. I would also give anyone considering law school the same advice. Don’t. The problem is that the university system and the media are channeling students into just a few careers that anyone watching a sitcom can understand. That is not the path to success because tons of other people are doing that too. You have to figure out where there is lots of demand but little competition for your own skills. ---
**Author:** ![Architect2017](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Architect2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Architect2017)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/9 "2017-09-09T23:05:30Z")
Yes I understand now. It’s very sad that society has gotten to this point. I suppose forgetting Architecture is a good idea. I actually had considered Law a little while ago because I like to debate and argue plus I’ve been told I have a good legal mindset. However the fact is that the job market for lawyers does suck. Will it return for lawyers, architects and many other careers is anyone’s guess. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2017, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/10 "2017-09-10T01:29:57Z")
Do you really love the idea of designing buildings? Do you love it enough to spend time and money training to get a job that pays pretty badly for the first decade plus of work experience until you become licensed? My sister is a licensed architect. She made the jump to academia after completing her license and eventually got her PhD after age 50. I know that might sound off but she didn’t even have a Masters at the point she began teaching; she did have a 1 yr grad certificate. That’s actually a thing in Architecture. It’s possible to get a teaching position if you have your license. That license is a significant hurdle in the US. How long does that license take to get in the US? (cite and my bolding) > [@](#): > > In principle, one can earn a US architecture license in under eight years, with a five year B.Arch and three years of IDP (which can begin during school), given a quick completion of exams (ARE). But the path to licensure is actually much longer for most people. NCARB reports that for those earning their US architecture license in 2012, **the average time to licensure was actually over 11 years.** This is slightly down from recent years, but it is still well over the minimum time of 8 years. Till you are licensed there’s not a lot of pay in the field. Do you really, REALLY love the idea of being an architect and are you willing to accept that it’s not all that lucrative financially for most that pursue the career? If the answer isn’t yes, tread carefully. ---
**Author:** ![Architect2017](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Architect2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Architect2017)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2017, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/11 "2017-09-10T05:05:19Z")
I guess that is the end of that ☹ ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2017, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/12 "2017-09-10T13:32:16Z")
Let us know if there are any other dreams we can crush for you. We’re here to help. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2017, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/13 "2017-09-10T13:43:37Z")
Oh, and you can ask the mods to change your user name. Let’s face it, becoming an Architect in 2017 was a little unrealistic anyway. Shoot for something at least 4 years out. i.e. CompSci2021 ---
**Author:** ![Architect2017](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Architect2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Architect2017)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/14 "2017-09-10T17:21:49Z")
Oh haha very funny :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2017, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/15 "2017-09-11T07:35:31Z")
I work in architecture. I can tell you a few things! Only do it if you LOVE it. It’s not a field that pays great, even if you are licensed. Assuming your undergrad is in something else, you will still have to take all the undergrad studios, structures classes, etc. It’s not going to be a 2 year thing. I advise people wanting to go into Architecture to begin the major immediately as studios need to be taken sequentially. If you do the first two years getting basics out of the way, you’re still going to have 4 (or 5 depending on the program) years of studios to take. Typically it is very hard to work and go to school at the same time, if not impossible. Note I said I work in architecture. I can’t say I’m an architect because I’m not licensed. After over a decade of working, I might do it for personal satisfaction but that’s about it. There is zero benefit to it at my (and most) firms. You will not stamp drawings, more than likely, due to insurance liabilities. Large firms will increase pay and pay for your exams. A lot of medium to smaller ones probably won’t. It’s an expensive time consuming process. Teaching architecture is not easy to get into. I taught for a while and saw that most will only hire adjuncts. This means zero benefits and an ever-changing work schedule I couldn’t count on. Typically you only need a doctorate if teaching Architectural History. Universities typically want someone with work experience to teach their studios. Know that you will not be designing cool (or any) things for a long time or, possibly, ever. Currently my client is a retail chain. It’s not glamourous and I spend a lot of my day not drawing. I have to call cities to enquire about permitting. I have to instruct contractors. I have to handle unexpected things that pop up in the field. This might sound boring, but I actually love it. I have learned so much about how a building really (really) gets put together. My region is doing great. We in Dallas/Fort Worth are very busy. Almost everyone is hiring. That said, what impact will Harvey/Irma have? I don’t know. Building materials will be in short supply. Clients will be financially strapped. Finding construction workers will be difficult. In my time, I have been through two industry collapses. During the second one, many of my friends left the field forever. I’m really not wanting to go through a third. The good part: despite all of the above, I love my job. I love the firm I work for and my friends there. It’s still amazing for me to walk through a finished building and know I had a part in it. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2017, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-market-for-architecture/795769/16 "2017-09-11T18:26:54Z")
Architecture and law are both oversaturated fields with high burnout and dissatisfaction rates. Unless you’re REALLY dedicated, find another field. JMHO, of course.