Architects

Employment for architects is expected to grow by 5 percent, faster than the average for all careers, through 2032, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Demographic trends will play a strong role in fueling employment growth for architects. Architects will be needed to plan and design homes, schools, and businesses. In addition, the large baby boomer population will create a demand for more retirement communities and health care facilities across the country as it reaches retirement age. The need to replace aging structures of all types will also mean good job prospects for architects in the coming years.

Increasing energy costs and growing concern about protecting the environment have prompted an interest in green design, also called sustainable design. According to the DOL, "sustainable design emphasizes the efficient use of resources, such as energy and water conservation; waste and pollution reduction; and environmentally friendly design, specifications, and materials." Architects with knowledge of green design will be in demand in the next decade.

Job opportunities for architects are closely tied to the health of the construction industry, which is extremely sensitive to fluctuations in the overall economy. A bad economic climate could result in layoffs—especially in nonresidential construction. Employment may also be affected by the outsourcing of construction documents and basic design for large-scale commercial and residential projects to overseas firms. This trend will most likely affect opportunities for lower-level architects and interns, who typically are assigned this type of work.

On the positive side, employment of architects is not likely to be affected by the growing use of computer technologies. Rather than replacing architects, computers are being used to enhance the architect’s work. Improvements in building information modeling (BIM) software and measuring technology will also enable architects to do work that previously was handled by architectural and civil drafters, designers, engineers, and other such workers.