Architects, Except Landscape and Naval: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval fall under the Architecture and Engineering category in the U.S. occupational classification. Architects, Except Landscape and Naval earn a median salary of $96,690 per year, ranking in the top 16% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.9% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do architects, except landscape and naval earn?

The median annual wage for architects, except landscape and naval is $96,690. That puts architects, except landscape and naval at #126 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is architects, except landscape and naval a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for architects, except landscape and naval is +3.9%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 123K positions in 2024 to 128K in 2034, a net change of 5K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do architects, except landscape and naval do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working architects, except landscape and naval, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Prepare information regarding design, structure specifications, materials, color, equipment, estimated costs, or construction time.
2. 2.Consult with clients to determine functional or spatial requirements of structures.
3. 3.Meet with clients to review or discuss architectural drawings.
4. 4.Administer construction contracts.
5. 5.Represent clients in obtaining bids or awarding construction contracts.
6. 6.Design structures that incorporate environmentally friendly building practices or concepts, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
7. 7.Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools.
8. 8.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.

Top skills for architects, except landscape and naval

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become architects, except landscape and naval?

The standard path into architects, except landscape and naval begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Computer Hardware Engineers
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• Aerospace Engineers
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• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
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• Nuclear Engineers
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• Chemical Engineers
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Common questions parents ask about architects, except landscape and naval