Architecture

The employment outlook in architecture is roughly proportionate to the level of skill of the workers; that is, the occupations with a higher level of skill have a good outlook, whereas the outlook is not as good for low-skill occupations.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of architects will grow 5 percent, faster than the average for all occupations, through 2032. Demographic trends suggest that architects will be needed for projects involving the renovation or construction of schools, healthcare facilities, and homes. Because of enhancements to measuring software and building information modeling (BIM) applications, architects were performing many tasks once handled by civil and architectural drafters, engineers, and interior designers.

Job growth will be tempered by increases in the number of new graduates from architectural programs; new entrants to the field can expect considerable competition for available jobs, especially in the largest and most prestigious firms. Opportunities are expected to be good for architects who are knowledgeable about sustainable ("green") designs and construction techniques. A high level of creativity will be especially valuable.

Some jobs for architects are not in design firms but in government agencies, urban planning consulting firms, and construction companies.

Landscape architects are projected to experience little or no job growth through 2032. Work experience from an internship can be very helpful, especially for the most sought-after jobs at large firms. Also advantageous is knowledge of environmental codes and regulations, experience or training in urban planning, or skill with sustainable practices, especially the conservation of water. Recently, landscape architects have been enlisted to design green roofs for buildings: plantings that reduce water runoff and pollution while decreasing the costs of heating and cooling the buildings.

Interior designers are projected to experience average job growth. Work will come not only from new construction but also from routine overhauls of the interiors of businesses and public spaces. These organizations understand the need to present a fresh impression to the public at regular intervals and therefore budget for interior design work years in advance. As always, work in private homes will be more plentiful in upscale communities. Knowledge of accessibility standards, or expertise in a specialized design area, such as kitchens, can be a competitive advantage.

Little or no employment change is expected for architectural drafters through 2032. Powerful and easy-to-use CADD programs are allowing architects to do much of their rendering work by themselves rather than hand this work to drafters. In addition, because CADD files are easily transmitted electronically, some architectural work is being outsourced to lower-wage drafters in foreign countries. Architectural drafters skilled with BIM software are likely to have the best job opportunities.

The architecture industry is sensitive to ups and downs in the nation's economy. During times of economic expansion, there is great demand for architectural firms to design new homes and business structures or to find ways to renovate and repurpose existing structures. Firms may be able to outsource some work to other firms, even in foreign countries. When the economy contracts, however, businesses and governments tend to postpone plans for construction and renovation, so architecture is one of the first industries to feel the impact. During lean times, architecture firms often lay off workers. For the duration of these slumps, they also result in greatly reduced earnings for the many architects who are self-employed or who hold an ownership share in their firm.

Fluctuations in the rate of construction are not uniform across the nation. For example, in 2008, the collapse in the housing market affected many regions severely but was muted in other regions, such as Texas and North Dakota, where energy extraction kept economic activity humming. Willingness to relocate can improve employment prospects in this industry.

In January 2024, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported that starts in almost every segment of the construction industry were either declining or weakening by the end of 2023. These conditions were expected to persist into 2025, in the wake of difficult economic conditions. A significant slowdown had occurred in the nonresidential building category, specifically. After growing more than 20 percent in 2023, related spending was expected to rise just 4 percent in 2024, and approximately 1 percent in 2025. Contributing factors included falling commercial property values, tighter credit conditions, and higher input costs.

Workers in this industry frequently put in more than 40 hours per week to keep projects on track and meet deadlines. During a boom time, when commissions are plentiful, the volume of work may require long hours; but when a slump has led to layoffs, workers in a firm that is shorthanded and not yet ready to rehire may need to log extra hours to handle the more limited load of projects.

IBISWorld estimated that the U.S. market for architects was valued at $55.3 billion in 2024. This reflected a decrease of 0.1 percent over the previous five-year period, which had been characterized by significant volatility as the nation contended with the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. During the mid-2020s, high interest rates, inflationary conditions, and concerns about a possible economic recession were noteworthy concerns. However, the firm forecast growth for the industry through 2029.