Occupation

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

Human Advantage 75%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.4 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.

Also Known As: Architect, Building Architect, Building Consultant, Building Information Modeling Specialist (BIM Specialist), Commercial Green Building Architect, Commercial Green Building Designer, Commercial Green Retrofit Architect, Design Architect +23 more

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Core Tasks

  1. Develop final construction plans that include aesthetic representations of the structure or details for its construction.
  2. Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools.
  3. Prepare information regarding design, structure specifications, materials, color, equipment, estimated costs, or construction time.
  4. Consult with clients to determine functional or spatial requirements of structures.
  5. Meet with clients to review or discuss architectural drawings.
  6. Monitor the work of specialists, such as electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, interior designers, or sound specialists to ensure optimal form or function of designs or final structures.
  7. Integrate engineering elements into unified architectural designs.
  8. Plan layouts of structural architectural projects.
  9. Conduct periodic on-site observations of construction work to monitor compliance with plans.
  10. Prepare contract documents for building contractors.
  11. Plan or design structures such as residences, office buildings, theatres, factories, or other structural properties in accordance with environmental, safety, or other regulations.
  12. Direct activities of technicians engaged in preparing drawings or specification documents.
  13. Administer construction contracts.
  14. Create three-dimensional or interactive representations of designs, using computer-assisted design software.
  15. Represent clients in obtaining bids or awarding construction contracts.
  16. Develop marketing materials, proposals, or presentations to generate new work opportunities.
  17. Perform predesign services, such as feasibility or environmental impact studies.
  18. Design structures that incorporate environmentally friendly building practices or concepts, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
  19. Design or plan construction of green building projects to minimize adverse environmental impact or conserve energy.

Supplemental Tasks (5)

  1. Gather information related to projects' environmental sustainability or operational efficiency.
  2. Inspect proposed building sites to determine suitability for construction.
  3. Design environmentally sound structural upgrades to existing buildings, such as natural lighting systems, green roofs, or rainwater collection systems.
  4. Calculate potential energy savings by comparing estimated energy consumption of proposed design to baseline standards.
  5. Prepare operating and maintenance manuals, studies, or reports.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

  • Inspect the condition of structures.

Education & Training

Job Zone 5 Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
43%
Master's Degree
24%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.
24%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
5%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
5%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2
  • Amazon Redshift
  • Amazon Web Services AWS software
  • Apache Cassandra
  • Apache Hadoop
  • Apache Hive
  • Apache Maven
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Autodesk Revit
  • Bentley MicroStation
  • Chef
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft PowerShell
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft Word
  • MongoDB
  • NoSQL
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
  • PostgreSQL
  • Puppet
  • Trimble SketchUp Pro

Software (71)

  • 1ST Pricing Window & Door Toolkit
  • Apache Pig
  • Applied Search Technology CADFind
  • Artifice DesignWorkshop
  • AutoDesSys form Z
  • Autodesk 3ds Max Design
  • Autodesk Architectural Studio
  • AzTechSoft GPS2CAD
  • BQE Software ArchiOffice
  • BeamChek
  • Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
  • Craftsman CD Estimator
  • Database software
  • Drcauto Smart Architect LT Pro
  • FEMA EMMIE
  • FileNet P8
  • Graphisoft ArchiCAD
  • McNeel Rhinoceros 3D
  • Micro-Press MicroStation PowerDraft
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • MyFamilySoftware Instant Architect
  • NavisWorks Jetstream
  • Oracle JDBC
  • Oracle Primavera Systems
  • Qlik Tech QlikView
  • Quality Plans & Software HVAC Calculator
  • Quark enterprise publishing software
  • Quest Erwin Data Modeler
  • Roof Builder Tools
  • Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
  • Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal (accounting feature)
  • Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal (calendar and scheduling feature)
  • Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal (time accounting feature)
  • VectorWorks ARCHITECT
  • Verilog
  • Virtual reality modeling language VRML software

Tools & Equipment (25)

  • Architectural templates
  • Arm drafting machines
  • Circular saws
  • Compasses
  • Computer laser printers
  • Computer-guided milling machines
  • Diazo copiers
  • Digital cameras
  • Disk grinding machines
  • Dividers
  • Engineering copiers
  • Fretsaws
  • Hand saws
  • Mat knives
  • Mitre boxes
  • Notebook computers
  • Parallel bars
  • Personal computers
  • Plotters
  • Precision knives
  • Soldering irons
  • Tablet computers
  • Thermal saws
  • Track drafting machines
  • Triangles

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Architecture & Civil Engineering Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 5
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval You are here

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Real Talk

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