United States architects make $64,186 per year. While in Canada architect earnings are at around C$64,346 ($51,675) each year. Architects make about £31,705 ($42,856) per year in the UK. The Australian architect salary is at AU$61,167 ($47,814) per year, while in Switzerland the yearly pay is at CHF58,282 ($59,283). While in Norway earnings for the class of occupations that include architects stand at NOK 832,515 ($102,624) per year. Read below how the construction industry, geography, and experience affect the pay of architects.
Architect Salary Influencers
For architects, pay depends on considerations such as whether the architect is self-employed, licensed or works in a particular country. Greater experience breeds higher compensation and the opportunity to share in profits.
1. Industry
The economic performance of architectural firms is tied, among other things, to the construction industry. With more construction projects, whether for residential or commercial contractors or the government, comes work for the firms and their architects. While the private sector accounts for much of the employment of architects, the government can still influence compensation and job benefits, especially in certain countries.
- Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services – $83,990
- Specialized Design Services – $80,030
- Residential Building Construction – $78,930
2. Geographical Area
| Architect Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | Switzerland | Norway |
| Hourly Wage | $26.25 | C$29.05 ($23.32) | £16.70 ($22.57) | AU$29.64 ($23.15) | CHF28.02*($28.49) | NOK400 ($49.24) |
| Annual Wage | $64,186 | C$64,346 ($51,675) | £31,705 ($42,856) | AU$61,167 ($47,814) | CHF58,282 ($59,283) | NOK 832,515 ($102,624) |
A (*) means that the hourly wage was extrapolated from the annual salary
Architect Salary in the US
The architect salary in the US stands at $64,186 pay per year, while $26.25 is the pay per hour. After bonuses, profit sharing, and commissions the total yearly pay stands between $44,567 and $104,045.
Architect Salary in Canada
An architect living in Canada makes on average C$64,346 per year, while the hourly pay is at C$29.05. According to PayScale, total pay for architects in Canada range between C$48,540 and C$93,501 per year.
Architect Salary in the UK
Architects in the United Kingdom earn about £31,705 per year. Beginning architects make about ₤29,000, while experienced ones make about $95,000 per year.
Architect Salary in Australia
Australian architects make about AU$61,167 per year, while the hourly pay is AU$29.64. The median annual salary is between AU$47,163 and AU$91,674 per year.
Architect Salary in Switzerland
On average, architects in Switzerland earn a yearly salary of CHF 58,282. After a bonus of CHF 4,825 each year the total annual pay ranges between CHF 30,984 and CHF 106,638.
Architect Salary in Norway
An architect from Norway wins about NOK 832,515 per year, with a yearly bonus of NOK400.
3. Experience
Work experience is a major driver in earnings and, in many jurisdictions, a prerequisite to be licensed as an architect or in project management. Those in the United States must complete, in most cases, three years of a paid internship to qualify for registration. However, in states that do not require a license, architects can practice as such after eight to 13 years of work experience. Australia mandates two years experience and Canada requires 2,000 hours of post-graduation work.
In the United Kingdom, aspiring architects must log two years of professional experience after graduation from an Architects Registration Board-recognized program. While Norway requires five years of education for those pursuing civil architecture. Otherwise, architects do not need a license in Norway, although building authorities might deny building permits to unlicensed architects. “Cantons” in Switzerland set their own experience and training requirements.
Working Hours
Generally, architects work full-time. Those living in the United Kingdom work between 35 and 40 hours per week. In Australia, the average workweek runs just under 42 hours. As a rule of thumb, architects keep traditional office hours and work weekdays. However, the work involves considerable travel to construction sites and perhaps to local building or zoning permit authorities.
Bonuses & Benefit Packages
Generally, firms may offer architects signing or performance bonuses. Principals of an architectural firm participate in profit-sharing. Also, firms in the United States and Canada typically decide most employment terms and packages related to pension, vacation, and bonuses.
Architects in Australia receive a minimum of four weeks of paid annual leave each year and, if applicable, longevity leave. Also, Australia has a superannuation program that devotes up to 9.5 percent of earnings for retirement. Moreover, in Norway, architects are entitled to an occupational pension, insurance, leave of absence and holiday pay.
Switzerland provides for a three-pillar retirement system. The first pillar consists of Old Age and Survivors’ Insurance and similar programs. In the second, employers are required to contribute, though self-employed architects can voluntarily participate. The first two pillars provide up to 60 percent of final salary following retirement.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, architect employment should increase by four percent, or 5,100 jobs, between 2016 and 2026. The Australian government projects job openings, between 10,001 and 25,000, for architects (including landscape architects) through November 2019. Growth in employment should be “strong.” Countries such as Norway face shortages of architects, which should increase demand and opportunities.
The level of construction plays a role in the job outlook for architects. Factors such as demand for housing, retail and office space and governmental policies and budgets for building projects help shape work for architects. Population growth in certain areas may drive construction of homes and schools. As populations age and individuals seek more access to health care, architects will likely be in demand to design clinics and hospitals.
During periods of depressed construction, the number of projects and, consequently, earnings and employment may decline. Architects may find a competitive advantage by harnessing principles of sustainable design to reduce energy consumption, water use and com.
Conclusion
Finally, architects can enhance their job and salary prospects with experience and proficiency in environmentally-conscious design. The vibrancy of the particular country’s economy and construction industry also influences pay. You can also look at the landscape architect salary.
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