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Urban design consultant vs architectural designer

The differences between urban design consultants and architectural designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an urban design consultant, becoming an architectural designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an urban design consultant has an average salary of $63,960, which is higher than the $59,122 average annual salary of an architectural designer.

The top three skills for an urban design consultant include GIS, urban design and sketch. The most important skills for an architectural designer are sketch, sketchup, and BIM.

Urban design consultant vs architectural designer overview

Urban Design ConsultantArchitectural Designer
Yearly salary$63,960$59,122
Hourly rate$30.75$28.42
Growth rate4%-3%
Number of jobs41,91854,358
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4245
Years of experience212

What does an urban design consultant do?

An urban design consultant is in charge of many projects, and so they have to oversee tasks and plan assignments. They are skilled in creating interior design solutions, space planning, sketching, and product selection. They have to analyze information and data gotten from market research studies and censuses. They also have to do presentations and prepare reports.

What does an architectural designer do?

An Architectural Designer is specialized in planning and designing structures/urban landscapes. They ensure that company policies and standards are maintained when providing services to clients.

Urban design consultant vs architectural designer salary

Urban design consultants and architectural designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Urban Design ConsultantArchitectural Designer
Average salary$63,960$59,122
Salary rangeBetween $51,000 And $79,000Between $45,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateMassachusettsVermont
Best paying companyPerkins&WillApple
Best paying industryTelecommunicationProfessional

Differences between urban design consultant and architectural designer education

There are a few differences between an urban design consultant and an architectural designer in terms of educational background:

Urban Design ConsultantArchitectural Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorUrban PlanningArchitecture
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Urban design consultant vs architectural designer demographics

Here are the differences between urban design consultants' and architectural designers' demographics:

Urban Design ConsultantArchitectural Designer
Average age4245
Gender ratioMale, 56.1% Female, 43.9%Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 9.3% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage13%6%

Differences between urban design consultant and architectural designer duties and responsibilities

Urban design consultant example responsibilities.

  • Manage the website and twitter page, write the blog posts and attend numerous fashion shows and sample sale rooms.
  • Research previous transportation studies and offer recommendations to improve roadway and corridor design as well as ways to mitigate regulatory delays.
  • Research previous transportation studies and offer recommendations to improve roadway and corridor design as well as ways to mitigate regulatory delays.

Architectural designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage in- house projects and AutoCAD drawings.
  • Manage design and coordinate construction of grind up, interior finish, conversions and remodel projects.
  • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
  • Submit drawings to OSHPD for approval.
  • Submit & review OSHPD back check comments.
  • Participate in sustainable practices for leer certified projects.
  • Show more

Urban design consultant vs architectural designer skills

Common urban design consultant skills
  • GIS, 20%
  • Urban Design, 18%
  • Sketch, 10%
  • Landscape Architecture, 10%
  • CAD, 7%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 5%
Common architectural designer skills
  • Sketch, 15%
  • SketchUp, 7%
  • BIM, 6%
  • Architectural Design, 6%
  • Building Codes, 5%
  • Construction Drawings, 4%

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