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Job outlook for building architectural designers in the United States
Are building architectural designer jobs in demand?
Building architectural designer job and salary trends over time
Building architectural designer jobs over time
Building architectural designer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,017 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 995 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 992 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 980 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 963 | 0.00% |
Average building architectural designer salary over time
Building architectural designer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $67,414 | $32.41 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $66,054 | $31.76 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $64,389 | $30.96 | +3.9% |
| 2022 | $61,985 | $29.80 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $60,543 | $29.11 | +1.8% |
Building architectural designer jobs by state
Most common states for building architectural designers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 228 | 33% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 798 | 11% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 681 | 10% |
| 4 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 428 | 10% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 766 | 9% |
| 6 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 792 | 8% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 454 | 8% |
| 8 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 438 | 8% |
| 9 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 236 | 8% |
| 10 | California | 39,536,653 | 2,898 | 7% |
| 11 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 395 | 7% |
| 12 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 89 | 7% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 73 | 7% |
| 14 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,231 | 6% |
| 15 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 725 | 6% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 705 | 6% |
| 17 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 569 | 6% |
| 18 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 343 | 6% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 201 | 6% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 35 | 6% |
Most common cities for building architectural designers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lenexa | 1 | 2% | $54,261 |
| 2 | Orange | 1 | 1% | $77,025 |
| 3 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $68,548 |
| 4 | Greensboro | 1 | 0% | $62,237 |
| 5 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $65,244 |
Building Architectural Designer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of building architectural designer experts
Dunwoody College of Technology
Syracuse University
University of Arizona
Kansas State University
What type of skills will young Building Architectural Designers need?
Paul Strother: For students earning their A.A.S. in Architectural Drafting & Design, the skills they are currently learning will be critical to their future success. Not only should students master Revit, but they also need the ability to quickly learn other software. They need an understanding of the principles of construction and building systems, and they need to know the role of the architect and its companion players, such as contractors, consultants and owners. Understanding regulatory elements will also continue to be key skill sets. At the core, when they leave Dunwoody, they must be ready to continue learning new systems, software and regulations, and possess the fundamental skill of good communication. This past year has also taught students to be flexible, and exposed them to new ways of communicating and doing business, which are critical skills as they enter today's workforce.
What experience really stands out on Building Architectural Designer resumes?
Paul Strother: Dunwoody focuses on ensuring our students are learning the skills employers need. Because of that, students are ready for a part-time office job even before they graduate. Dunwoody structures the program and its class schedule in a way that allows for part-time positions, and provides students with the right software and a grasp of the building systems they're working with. We know that a recent graduate with the right skills, along with some experience on their resume, will be hired first after graduation.
What's a good job out of college for Building Architectural Designers?
Kristen DeWolf: We are encouraging students to keep their options open. Any position that will add soft and/or hard skills to your resume is a great job to consider after college. Showing the value they provide will only help them as they continue to build their careers.
What technical skills for a Building Architectural Designer stand out to employers?
Kristen DeWolf: This is certainly highly dependent upon the industry the employer is in/type of work being done; however, MSExcel is one of the key skills that I hear over and over again from employers across many industries. Researching the employer/industry and understanding the technologies most used (and learning those programs if you don't already) is a great way for a candidate to stand out. There are plenty of opportunities to learn technical skills on sites such as LinkedIn Learning. When a candidate can show they're paying attention and have learned the skills to hit the ground running, the more valuable they will be as a candidate.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Building Architectural Designer job market given the pandemic?
Teresa Rosano: We've found that the residential market is active, largely because people are spending more time in their homes and using them differently. Re-thinking the assumption that everyone goes to an office five days a week is likely to open possibilities for geographic flexibility.
What Building Architectural Designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Teresa Rosano: Learning software is always a good option, and there are often less expensive community college or on-line tutorials to support that. Or taking one or more transferable community college general education classes to lighten the load in subsequent semesters (make sure they transfer though!)
Barbara Anderson
Professor and HeadKansas State University
Department of Interior Design and Fashion Studies
What type of skills will young Building Architectural Designers need?
Barbara Anderson: Technology in buildings and using technology to design buildings and communicate with teams and clients will be more critical than ever.