Architecture Career Guide

Architects plan and design the buildings that make up the infrastructure of our towns and cities. They play an essential role in creating our physical environments, designing the skyscrapers, homes, hospitals, schools, and other buildings we use daily.

Architects also work with broader teams of engineers, town planners, and contractors to ensure any new developments meet regulations, fit the existing surroundings, serve their intended purpose, and meet the client’s brief.

In this career guide, we’ll look at three job roles in architecture: architectural assistant, architect, and architectural technologist.

Potential Roles in Architecture

There is a small variety of different jobs within the field of architecture, from supportive, assistive roles to senior consulting and leadership positions. Each comes with its own requirements, salary and responsibilities.

Architectural assistants (sometimes called architectural technicians) are often professionals on track to train as qualified architects but still need to complete the full training. You can work as either a Part 1 architectural assistant when you have an undergraduate degree or a Part 2 architectural assistant when you have a master’s degree. Working as an architectural assistant is also possible if you have a background and degree in a related field, like construction or interior design.

Architects are trained, qualified professionals who design and oversee the construction or restoration of buildings. They work within a wider team but are ultimately responsible for ensuring that their design meets the client’s needs and is functional, safe and compliant with regulations. Working as an architect can be high-pressured and comes with a lot of responsibility, but seeing your designs come to fruition in the real world is incredibly rewarding.

Architectural technologists work alongside architects, almost bridging the gap between assistants and fully qualified architects. An architectural technologist’s job involves taking architectural plans and overseeing and managing the practical and technical aspects of the building design and construction or restoration. This job is a side-step from the traditional architect qualification route and has its own career pathway. (This job role only applies to the UK.)

Salary and Career Progression

There are plenty of opportunities for career progression in architecture, and much of it follows a very rigid and set structure.

Architectural assistants have usually obtained an undergraduate degree in Architecture to complete Part 1 of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) architect training programme. From here, there is a well-defined pathway to qualifying as an architect, or you can choose to stay at assistant level if you stop your training at this point.

UK salaries are around £20,000 to £28,000. US architectural technicians earn around $40,000 to $50,000. After completing Part 2, these salaries rise to £28,000 to £35,000 in the UK and $50,000 to $65,000 in the US.

Architects who have completed Part 3 of the RIBA qualification and are recognised as registered architects can expect to earn from £40,000 to £100,000 or more in some roles. There is excellent scope for career progression and salary increases in this industry. Larger and more prestigious employers tend to pay more, and some architects choose to start their own architecture firms. You may need to move between employers to continue achieving higher salaries as you progress.

Architectural technologists start at around £22,000 at entry level and can reach salaries of £55,000 and more at senior positions. An ambitious architectural technologist can progress by training and qualifying as a recognised architect, opening up potential salaries to £100,000 or more.

Qualifications, Education and Experience

Architect training is lengthy and rigorous. In the UK, you must complete a relevant Architecture undergraduate degree, a year of work placement, a 2-year master’s degree, additional work experience and professional registration to qualify fully.

However, your progress counts along the way, and you can work and get paid as an architect’s assistant before obtaining your full qualification.

In the US, the educational path is similar, but the 3-part educational qualification is done in one longer degree course rather than as a separate bachelor’s and master’s degree.

Architectural assistants typically need a bachelor’s degree in Architecture or a related subject. The following can be essential or beneficial:

• 4-5 GCSEs at grades 4-9 and 2-3 A Levels (UK)
• High School Diploma or General Educational Development certificate (US)
• Completion of Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Part 1 of architect’s training, which is an undergraduate degree in Architecture
• OR another degree in a similar or related field, like Interior Design or Construction, may be sufficient
• Alternatively, you can take a work-based route to Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications, organised between the RIBA Studio and your employer (UK)
• In the US, architectural assistants are also typically studying to become an architect or already have a related degree
• Many architectural assistants are on the training path to becoming qualified and recognised architects, but this is not compulsory

Architects must complete the full, comprehensive architecture qualification to become fully qualified. You need the following to qualify:

• 4-5 GCSEs at grades 4-9 and 2-3 A Levels at the grades required to join a university architecture course (UK)
• High School Diploma or General Educational Development certificate (US)
• In the UK: Completion of the full professional path as regulated by the Architects Registration Board (ARB), which takes at least seven years and is as follows:
  • A 3-year ARB-accredited Architecture degree (Part 1 of the qualification)
  • A year of work experience in the workplace to gain real-world experience overseen and signed off by a mentor
  • A 2-year ARB-accredited master’s degree (Part 2 of the qualification) OR a comprehensive initial degree course that comprises both the undergraduate and master’s degree programmes
  • Another year of work experience in the workplace to integrate learnings from the master’s degree
  • Final examination (Part 3 of the qualification)
  • You can only move on to each stage once you have completed and passed the previous one
• The training requirements are the same in the US, but the undergraduate and master’s degree study elements are done simultaneously in one longer degree course. Workplace experience and training are still compulsory
• A degree apprenticeship is also an option in the UK
• Registration with the ARB in the UK (you can then use the official title of ‘architect’) or state licensure from the relevant state in the US to practice
• Consider registering with RIBA (UK)
• Continuous professional development throughout your career to maintain updated knowledge and skills

Architectural technologists need the following (UK only):

• 4-5 GCSEs at grades 4-9 and 2-3 A Levels
• An undergraduate degree accredited by the Chartered Insitute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) in a relevant subject, like Architectural Technology, Structural Engineering or Architectural Engineering
  • A degree is not compulsory, although it is the most direct route to qualifying. It is also possible to enter the role via work-based learning and progression, usually through your existing employer
• Postgraduate study is available but not compulsory
• It is desirable to reach chartered status with CIAT by meeting their set requirements and passing an exam

Skills

Architectural assistants

• Excellent drawing ability
• Patience and diligence
• Good team player but also confident in making decisions independently
• Organisation
• Excellent communication skills
• Mathematical skills
• IT skills and good knowledge of the software used in the architecture industry
• Attention to detail
• Knowledge of the construction process
• Knowledge of Building Information Modelling (BIM), which is a software design platform that allows for multidisciplinary collaboration

Architects will have all of the skills they acquired when working as an architectural assistant but also need additional skills as they move into fully qualified status, including the following:

• A keen and ongoing interest in the topic to complete the rigorous and lengthy training
• Leadership skills

Architectural technologists must have the following skills:

• Drawing ability
• IT skills
• Good understanding of mathematical principles
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work in a team
• Excellent communication skills
• Able to take instruction
• Excellent knowledge of the construction process
• Knowledge of architectural software
• Knowledge of Building Information Modelling (BIM), which is a software design platform that allows for multidisciplinary collaboration

Working Hours

In most job roles within the architectural profession, working hours are standard office hours of 9am to 5pm. You may work outside of these hours to meet a deadline if necessary.

Notable Locations

Larger architectural firms tend to be located in major cities, although smaller, regional firms can also provide good work opportunities, particularly for junior employees. Notable locations include:

• London
• Manchester
• Liverpool
• San Fransisco, CA
• Dallas, TX
• St. Louis, MO

Notable Companies

• HKS Architects: Offices worldwide, including the US, UK, India and Australia. Projects include large community buildings, including airport terminals and hospitals
• HOK: Missouri-based architectural firm specialising in environmental awareness
• Gensler: Global architectural firm with a particular interest in designing spaces for children and education
• Building Design Partnership (BDP): Renowned architectural practice with its HQ in Manchester, UK. Projects include Liverpool One shopping centre, QE Hospital in Birmingham, and redeveloping the Royal Albert Hall
• Foster + Partners: London-based, world-leading practice with offices around the world. Projects include many impressive, high-rise buildings in China, UAE and New York, as well as other large-scale community buildings

Next Steps

Sign up to JobLookup for the latest architecture jobs straight to your inbox. To start your job search today, read The Ultimate Jobseeker Guide for tips and advice on landing your next role.