Post job

Building architect vs principal, architectural firm

The differences between building architects and principals, architectural firms can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a building architect and a principal, architectural firm. Additionally, a principal, architectural firm has an average salary of $120,913, which is higher than the $89,404 average annual salary of a building architect.

The top three skills for a building architect include CAD, design projects and windows. The most important skills for a principal, architectural firm are business development, enterprise architecture, and as-built drawings.

Building architect vs principal, architectural firm overview

Building ArchitectPrincipal, Architectural Firm
Yearly salary$89,404$120,913
Hourly rate$42.98$58.13
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs78,88142,091
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4545
Years of experience44

Building architect vs principal, architectural firm salary

Building architects and principals, architectural firms have different pay scales, as shown below.

Building ArchitectPrincipal, Architectural Firm
Average salary$89,404$120,913
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $165,000Between $73,000 And $197,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between building architect and principal, architectural firm education

There are a few differences between a building architect and a principal, architectural firm in terms of educational background:

Building ArchitectPrincipal, Architectural Firm
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorArchitectureArchitecture
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Building architect vs principal, architectural firm demographics

Here are the differences between building architects' and principals, architectural firms' demographics:

Building ArchitectPrincipal, Architectural Firm
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 85.3% Female, 14.7%Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 16.3% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 16.3% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between building architect and principal, architectural firm duties and responsibilities

Building architect example responsibilities.

  • Manage complex implementations for medium to large healthcare organizations that directly impact patient care, revenue stream and regulatory compliance.
  • Coordinate architectural drawings and Revit model with all other disciplines involve.
  • Deliver thorough construction documentation, focuse detailing, and contract administration for a firm engage in private educational and healthcare work.
  • Enforce proper food preparation following FDA rules, regulations and policies.
  • Analyze local and IBC codes for application to residential unit design and public and commercial spaces.

Principal, architectural firm example responsibilities.

  • Create several Perl scripts to automate the installation and configuration of Sysedge agents on the servers.
  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Respond to RFP's, prepare bid proposals and estimates for AE consulting services.
  • Prepare and administer construction documents MEP and blue prints using computer assist draw software and other computer applications.
  • Organize presentations for AIA competition projects.
  • Edit and render high quality video animation to provide the story frame-by-frame of modeling and surroundings.

Building architect vs principal, architectural firm skills

Common building architect skills
  • CAD, 27%
  • Design Projects, 17%
  • Windows, 13%
  • Code Reviews, 11%
  • Leed, 9%
  • Contract Administration, 8%
Common principal, architectural firm skills
  • Business Development, 75%
  • Enterprise Architecture, 12%
  • As-Built Drawings, 3%
  • RFP, 3%
  • Master Planning, 2%
  • Autocad, 2%

Browse architecture and engineering jobs