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Architectural Design Technology Careers and Jobs

Select, Find and Prepare for Architectural Design Technology Careers and Jobs - all on one page

For people who want architecture-adjacent design work without the multi-year licensure path of a registered architect. Use the tools below to see which architectural design technology roles fit your background and goals.

This major prepares students for the drafting and technical-design side of architecture, distinct from the licensed-architect track that requires a professional degree. Use the tools below to explore Architectural Design Technology-related job titles sorted by growth rate, salary, or required education. You can start with entry points like CAD Drafter, or look ahead to advanced roles such as Architectural Designer or Project Coordinator. Along the way, you will see specific certifications, such as Autodesk Certified Professional (AutoCAD/Revit), that can help you move up the career ladder.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link

This page will take you through 4 steps to (1) Select from Architectural Design Technology careers/jobs, (2) Find Architectural Design Technology job listings, (3) Prepare for Architectural Design Technology careers, and (4) Provide Architectural Design Technology career-specific resources.

Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Architectural Design Technology careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Architectural Design Technology Careers - 2023 to 2033 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Architectural Design Technology careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Architectural Design Technology, so relevant Architectural Design Technology jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Architectural Design Technology Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Architectural Design Technology Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Architectural Design Technology careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 13 Architectural Design Technology Jobs.
The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core Duties: Lists the primary worker-related tasks performed in this occupation
Supplemental Duties: Lists additional tasks that are performed but are secondary to the core duties
Work Activities: Summarizes the broad types of behaviors and actions related to this career
Specific Work Activities: Provides more granular day-to-day activities tied to the work performed
Essential Skills: Provides foundational skills that are core to performing this specific occupation
Transferable Skills: Provides career-portable skills that can be applied across multiple occupations and industries
Day-in-the-Life Summaries: Provides a snapshot of the key activities performed on a typical workday in this career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Software Skills: Lists software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized by category and priority
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Education Required: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Training and Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the training and Training and Experience Required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All information appears on this page without navigating away.
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.

** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview. Can also assist with coffee chats.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career/Job

8 Architectural Design Technology careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2023 to 2033 est.). Architectural Design Technology-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:

Occupations U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033 (% change) Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary 8.3% Architectural Design Professor
Occupation: Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 8.3% Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Architectural Design Professor
Civil Engineers 8.2% Zoning Engineer
Occupation: Civil Engineers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 8.2% Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Zoning Engineer
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval 3.1% Architectural Designer
Occupation: Architects, Except Landscape and Naval U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 3.1% Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Architectural Designer
Electrical and Electronics Drafters 2.3% Electromechanical Design Drafter
Occupation: Electrical and Electronics Drafters U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 2.3% Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Electromechanical Design Drafter
Cost Estimators 0.6% Building Construction Estimator; Commercial Construction Estimator; Construction Estimator
Occupation: Cost Estimators U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 0.6% Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Building Construction Estimator; Commercial Construction Estimator; Construction Estimator
Landscape Architects -0.3% Landscape Architectural Designer
Occupation: Landscape Architects U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -0.3% Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Landscape Architectural Designer
Architectural and Civil Drafters -0.9% Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural CAD Technician (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician); Architectural Designer; Architectural Drafter; Architecture Drafter
Occupation: Architectural and Civil Drafters U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -0.9% Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural CAD Technician (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician); Architectural Designer; Architectural Drafter; Architecture Drafter
Mechanical Drafters -4.7% Mechanical Design Drafter
Occupation: Mechanical Drafters U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: -4.7% Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Mechanical Design Drafter

8 Architectural Design Technology careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Architectural Design Technology-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::

Occupations National Median Salary Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary $ 105,770 Architectural Design Professor
Occupation: Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary National Median Salary: $ 105,770 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Architectural Design Professor
Civil Engineers $ 95,890 Zoning Engineer
Occupation: Civil Engineers National Median Salary: $ 95,890 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Zoning Engineer
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $ 93,310 Architectural Designer
Occupation: Architects, Except Landscape and Naval National Median Salary: $ 93,310 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Architectural Designer
Landscape Architects $ 79,320 Landscape Architectural Designer
Occupation: Landscape Architects National Median Salary: $ 79,320 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Landscape Architectural Designer
Cost Estimators $ 74,740 Building Construction Estimator; Commercial Construction Estimator; Construction Estimator
Occupation: Cost Estimators National Median Salary: $ 74,740 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Building Construction Estimator; Commercial Construction Estimator; Construction Estimator
Electrical and Electronics Drafters $ 69,260 Electromechanical Design Drafter
Occupation: Electrical and Electronics Drafters National Median Salary: $ 69,260 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Electromechanical Design Drafter
Mechanical Drafters $ 64,060 Mechanical Design Drafter
Occupation: Mechanical Drafters National Median Salary: $ 64,060 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Mechanical Design Drafter
Architectural and Civil Drafters $ 61,820 Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural CAD Technician (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician); Architectural Designer; Architectural Drafter; Architecture Drafter
Occupation: Architectural and Civil Drafters National Median Salary: $ 61,820 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural CAD Technician (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician); Architectural Designer; Architectural Drafter; Architecture Drafter

8 Architectural Design Technology careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Architectural Design Technology-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.

Education/Preparation Categories:
5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.)
4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree
3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree
2 = Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, but not always
Please Scroll and Select below:
Occupations Education/Preparation Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval 5 Architectural Designer
Occupation: Architects, Except Landscape and Naval Education/Preparation: 5 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Architectural Designer
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary 5 Architectural Design Professor
Occupation: Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary Education/Preparation: 5 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Architectural Design Professor
Civil Engineers 4 Zoning Engineer
Occupation: Civil Engineers Education/Preparation: 4 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Zoning Engineer
Cost Estimators 4 Building Construction Estimator; Commercial Construction Estimator; Construction Estimator
Occupation: Cost Estimators Education/Preparation: 4 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Building Construction Estimator; Commercial Construction Estimator; Construction Estimator
Landscape Architects 4 Landscape Architectural Designer
Occupation: Landscape Architects Education/Preparation: 4 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Landscape Architectural Designer
Architectural and Civil Drafters 3 Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural CAD Technician (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician); Architectural Designer; Architectural Drafter; Architecture Drafter
Occupation: Architectural and Civil Drafters Education/Preparation: 3 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter); Architectural CAD Technician (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Technician); Architectural Designer; Architectural Drafter; Architecture Drafter
Electrical and Electronics Drafters 3 Electromechanical Design Drafter
Occupation: Electrical and Electronics Drafters Education/Preparation: 3 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Electromechanical Design Drafter
Mechanical Drafters 3 Mechanical Design Drafter
Occupation: Mechanical Drafters Education/Preparation: 3 Architectural Design Technology-Related Jobs: Mechanical Design Drafter

Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 13 specific Architectural Design Technology job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:

hidden filler

Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below

Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:



Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Find Job Listings: Architects, Except Landscape and Naval.


Search results will open in a new tab.

Note: Job search results work best for U.S.-based locations. For international searches, try searching for "[job title] in [city, country]" directly on the selected job board, or visit their country-specific website.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career





Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

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

U.S. Total Employment (2023):
126,700
U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
130,700
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
3,900 (3.1%)
Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
9,400
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Architects, Except Landscape and Naval":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Plan or design structures such as residences, office buildings, theatres, factories, or other structural properties in accordance with environmental, safety, or other regulations.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Meet with clients to review or discuss architectural drawings.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Develop final construction plans that include aesthetic representations of the structure or details for its construction.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Conduct periodic on-site observations of construction work to monitor compliance with plans.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Consult with clients to determine functional or spatial requirements of structures.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Integrate engineering elements into unified architectural designs.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Perform predesign services, such as feasibility or environmental impact studies.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Design environmentally sound structural upgrades to existing buildings, such as natural lighting systems, green roofs, or rainwater collection systems.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Prepare information regarding design, structure specifications, materials, color, equipment, estimated costs, or construction time.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Inspect the condition of structures.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: 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.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Represent clients in obtaining bids or awarding construction contracts.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Create three-dimensional or interactive representations of designs, using computer-assisted design software.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Direct activities of technicians engaged in preparing drawings or specification documents.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Prepare contract documents for building contractors.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Design or plan construction of green building projects to minimize adverse environmental impact or conserve energy.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Administer construction contracts.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Inspect proposed building sites to determine suitability for construction.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Design structures that incorporate environmentally friendly building practices or concepts, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Plan layouts of structural architectural projects.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Develop marketing materials, proposals, or presentations to generate new work opportunities.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Gather information related to projects' environmental sustainability or operational efficiency.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Prepare operating and maintenance manuals, studies, or reports.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Calculate potential energy savings by comparing estimated energy consumption of proposed design to baseline standards.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 92 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 92 (%) Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
Importance: 89 (%) Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 87 (%) Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 83 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 75 (%) Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 75 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 72 (%) Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Importance: 63 (%) Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Importance: 63 (%) Description: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.
Create graphical representations of structures or landscapes.
Design structures or facilities.
Design water conservation systems.
Direct design or development activities.
Discuss designs or plans with clients.
Document technical design details.
Incorporate green features into the design of structures or facilities.
Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.
Investigate the environmental impact of projects.
Perform marketing activities.
Prepare contracts, disclosures, or applications.
Prepare detailed work plans.
Prepare procedural documents.
Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
Test characteristics of materials or structures.
Verify alignment of structures or equipment.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Importance: 78 (%) Description: Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Geography: Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Administrative: Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Importance: 58 (%) Description: Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Operations Analysis: Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications.
Activity: Create visual designs or displays.
Activity: Design structures or facilities.
Activity: Develop systems or practices to mitigate or resolve environmental problems.
Activity: Direct scientific or technical activities.
Activity: Document technical designs, procedures, or activities.
Activity: Evaluate designs, specifications, or other technical data.
Activity: Inspect completed work or finished products.
Activity: Inspect facilities or equipment.
Activity: Investigate the environmental impact of industrial or development activities.
Activity: Plan work activities.
Activity: Prepare documentation for contracts, applications, or permits.
Activity: Promote products, services, or programs.
Activity: Supervise personnel activities.
Activity: Test characteristics of materials or products.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
High-Priority Tech Skills
Computer aided design CAD software:
Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk Revit
Trimble SketchUp Pro
Desktop publishing software:
Adobe InDesign
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
Widely Used Tech Skills
Computer aided design CAD software:
Chaos Enscape
Graphics or photo imaging software:
McNeel Rhinoceros 3D
Emerging Tech Skills
Accounting software:
Intuit QuickBooks
Computer aided design CAD software:
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Bentley MicroStation
Configuration management software:
Chef
Puppet
Data base management system software (scroll table below):
Apache Cassandra
Apache Hadoop
Apache Hive
MongoDB
NoSQL
Data base user interface and query software (scroll table below):
Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2
Amazon Redshift
Amazon Web Services AWS software
Microsoft Access
Microsoft SQL Server
Development environment software:
Apache Maven
Microsoft PowerShell
Document management software:
Adobe Acrobat
Electronic mail software:
Microsoft Outlook
Geographic information system:
ESRI ArcGIS software
Object oriented data base management software:
PostgreSQL
Presentation software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software:
Microsoft Project
Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
Spreadsheet software:
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software:
Microsoft Word
General Software Tools
Accounting software:
Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal (accounting feature)
Analytical or scientific software:
BeamChek
Quality Plans & Software HVAC Calculator
Business intelligence and data analysis software:
Qlik Tech QlikView
Calendar and scheduling software:
Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal (calendar and scheduling feature)
Computer aided design CAD software (scroll table below):
Artifice DesignWorkshop
Autodesk 3ds Max Design
Autodesk Architectural Studio
AutoDesSys form Z
AzTechSoft GPS2CAD
Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
Drcauto Smart Architect LT Pro
Graphisoft ArchiCAD
MyFamilySoftware Instant Architect
NavisWorks Jetstream
Roof Builder Tools
VectorWorks ARCHITECT
Virtual reality modeling language VRML software
Data base management system software:
Apache Pig
Data base user interface and query software:
Database software
FEMA EMMIE
Oracle JDBC
Desktop publishing software:
Quark enterprise publishing software
Development environment software:
Verilog
Document management software:
Applied Search Technology CADFind
FileNet P8
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Micro-Press MicroStation PowerDraft
Internet browser software:
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Metadata management software:
Quest Erwin Data Modeler
Office suite software:
BQE Software ArchiOffice
Procurement software:
1ST Pricing Window & Door Toolkit
Project management software:
Craftsman CD Estimator
Oracle Primavera Systems
Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
Time accounting software:
Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal (time accounting feature)
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

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.

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).

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.

These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 21.7 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Frequency of Attainment: 17.4 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 17.4 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 13.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 13.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 8.7 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 8.7 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years
Local Salary Information
Related Careers to Consider


Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources

This section contains detailed external resources appropriate to "Architects, Except Landscape and Naval". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Architects, Except Landscape and Naval". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Architects, Except Landscape and Naval". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Architects, Except Landscape and Naval


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Architects, Except Landscape and Naval" occupation.






Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page