Becoming an Architect via Online Education?

At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths. Capella University is a US school (accredited) offering architecture courses to train individuals to become top-notch architects, architecture designers, landscape architects, interior architects, architectural engineers, computer-aided drafting and design drafters, design drafters, etc. Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 2,412,730 people employed as architecture and engineering employees alone in America, and their average annual salary is $73,590. Architects make on average $78,880 per year and there are about 101,630 of them employed today. Colleges and universities like Capella University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into this field.

Typical Work Locations for an Architect
  • Design Companies
  • Building and Construction Offices
  • Engineering Offices
  • Mathematics Education Facilities
  • Fine Arts Institutions
  • Engineering Firms
  • Communication and Media Companies
  • Accounting Firms
  • Mechanical Companies
  • Sales and Marketing Companies
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as an Architect
  • Ability to integrate unique and individual designs
  • Flexibility concerning hours
  • Constant Promotion provides more job opportunities
  • Establishment creates constant promotion
  • Self-Employment
  • Generous Salary
  • Freedom on project preference
  • Skills and personal life may be combined
  • Respectable benefits
  • Freedom in design and project direction
Potential Drawbacks
  • Outdoor Working
  • Seasonal interference
  • Customer negotiation
  • Cost estimation error
  • Coordinating large groups of workers
  • Responsible for the time limits
  • Responsible for electrical drawings and placement errors
  • Problem with the uncivilized labors
  • Improper or rushed plans
  • Delayed completion under a deadline
Related Professions to Consider
  • Info Systems Architect
  • Software Information Technology Architect
  • Chief Architect
  • Intelligence Systems Architect
  • Historic Perservation Architect
  • Portal Architect
  • Solutions Architect
  • Services Architect
  • Lead Systems Engineer
  • Key Solution Architect
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be an Architect
  • What positive team building and leadership skills do you posses?
  • When a colleague was not doing his share of work, how did you deal with the the situation?
  • When you have successfully motivated others over whom you had no authority or power?
  • What projects have you worked on previously?
  • What is your passion in architecture?
  • What designs do you think will be used in the next decade?
  • Where did you go to school?
  • What kind of projects did you work on in school?
  • What types of people do you get along with the least?
  • Why did you become an Architect?
Common Collaborating Professions
  • Civil Engineer
  • Interior Designer
  • Mason
  • Landscape Architect
  • Structural Engineer
  • Planner
  • Architectural Technician
  • Industrial Designer
  • Construction Worker
  • Design Architect
Architect Training books Architect (More) Popular books Potential Companies to Work For Common College Majors
  • Architectural Design
  • Architectural History
  • Architectural Theory
  • Building Methods and Materials
  • Computer-assisted Drafting
  • Construction Technology
  • Site Design
  • Structural Design
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Industrial Design

Architect Salary Information

Category: Architecture and engineering occupations

Total # Employed in the US 2,412,730
Average Hourly Wage: $35.38/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$17.97 $24.34 $33.07 $44.34 $56.05
Average Yearly Salary $73,590
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$37,380 $50,630 $68,790 $92,220 $116,590
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
% % % % % % %
Architecture and engineering occupations — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Florida $45.77/hr $95,200
Alaska $44/hr $91,530
Colorado $41.19/hr $85,680
Mississippi $38.96/hr $81,030
Missouri $38.69/hr $80,470
Connecticut $38.32/hr $79,700
North Dakota $37.7/hr $78,410
Wyoming $37.14/hr $77,250
Virginia $37.13/hr $77,220
District of Columbia $37.03/hr $77,020
Ohio $35.62/hr $74,080
Oklahoma $35.61/hr $74,070
Delaware $35.44/hr $73,710
Puerto Rico $35.15/hr $73,110
Alabama $34.95/hr $72,690
Kansas $34.76/hr $72,300
Montana $34.75/hr $72,270
New York $34.12/hr $70,970
Arkansas $34.06/hr $70,850
Indiana $33.84/hr $70,390
Tennessee $33.72/hr $70,140
Guam $33.06/hr $68,770
North Carolina $32.96/hr $68,560
Iowa $32.91/hr $68,460
Utah $32.85/hr $68,330
Nebraska $32.81/hr $68,240
Massachusetts $32.8/hr $68,220
Idaho $32.64/hr $67,890
South Carolina $32.63/hr $67,870
New Hampshire $32.55/hr $67,690
South Dakota $32.47/hr $67,530
Wisconsin $32.23/hr $67,030
Maine $32.07/hr $66,710
Washington $32.06/hr $66,690
Oregon $31.76/hr $66,070
Hawaii $31.28/hr $65,070
Kentucky $30.89/hr $64,260
Michigan $30.8/hr $64,070
Louisiana $30.67/hr $63,800
Maryland $29.89/hr $62,180
New Mexico $29.36/hr $61,070
California $29.27/hr $60,880
Nevada $28.95/hr $60,210
Pennsylvania $28.31/hr $58,890
New Jersey $27.47/hr $57,130
West Virginia $26.54/hr $55,200


Category: Architects, except landscape and naval

Total # Employed in the US 101,630
Average Hourly Wage: $37.93/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$20.34 $26.4 $34.95 $45.01 $58.96
Average Yearly Salary $78,880
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$42,320 $54,910 $72,700 $93,620 $122,640
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.3% 1.9% 4.8% 4.8% 51.6% 28.0% 8.6%
Architects, except landscape and naval — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Puerto Rico $46.08/hr $95,840
New York $45.02/hr $93,640
Colorado $43.6/hr $90,690
Delaware $43.55/hr $90,580
North Dakota $40.89/hr $85,050
Oklahoma $40.78/hr $84,830
Missouri $40.57/hr $84,380
Alaska $39.56/hr $82,280
Idaho $39.42/hr $81,990
Florida $39.37/hr $81,880
Mississippi $39.09/hr $81,300
Utah $39/hr $81,120
District of Columbia $38.69/hr $80,470
Virginia $38/hr $79,040
West Virginia $37.77/hr $78,560
Wyoming $37.7/hr $78,410
New Mexico $37.6/hr $78,220
Connecticut $37.11/hr $77,180
Wisconsin $37/hr $76,950
Kansas $36.88/hr $76,720
Arkansas $36.6/hr $76,120
Indiana $36.3/hr $75,510
Hawaii $36.02/hr $74,920
Oregon $35.96/hr $74,800
Alabama $35.78/hr $74,420
Kentucky $35.45/hr $73,740
Nebraska $35.25/hr $73,330
Montana $35.05/hr $72,900
Washington $35.03/hr $72,860
Louisiana $34.84/hr $72,460
California $34.81/hr $72,410
South Carolina $34.74/hr $72,270
Iowa $34.63/hr $72,020
Guam $34.22/hr $71,170
New Hampshire $33.46/hr $69,600
North Carolina $33.44/hr $69,550
Tennessee $33.38/hr $69,420
Massachusetts $32.76/hr $68,140
Maine $31.82/hr $66,190
South Dakota $31.56/hr $65,650
Nevada $30.64/hr $63,730
Ohio $29.75/hr $61,880
Maryland $29.37/hr $61,090
Pennsylvania $29.16/hr $60,660
Michigan $28.81/hr $59,930
New Jersey $26.72/hr $55,580


Category: Landscape architects

Total # Employed in the US 18,940
Average Hourly Wage: $31.69/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$17.66 $22.48 $29.12 $38.43 $48.33
Average Yearly Salary $65,910
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$36,740 $46,760 $60,560 $79,940 $100,530
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.3% 1.9% 4.8% 4.8% 51.6% 28.0% 8.6%
Landscape architects — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alabama $42.06/hr $87,490
Missouri $36.91/hr $76,770
Delaware $36.7/hr $76,330
Alaska $36.62/hr $76,180
Colorado $35.92/hr $74,720
Oregon $35.16/hr $73,120
Florida $35.05/hr $72,900
New York $34.96/hr $72,710
Mississippi $34.7/hr $72,170
Ohio $34.56/hr $71,890
Iowa $34.32/hr $71,380
North Carolina $33.71/hr $70,130
New Mexico $33.24/hr $69,140
Wisconsin $32.36/hr $67,310
Connecticut $32.18/hr $66,940
Arkansas $31.14/hr $64,770
Oklahoma $31.08/hr $64,640
Tennessee $30.85/hr $64,170
Michigan $30.84/hr $64,150
Hawaii $30.71/hr $63,870
Kansas $29.95/hr $62,290
Louisiana $29.88/hr $62,150
North Dakota $29.67/hr $61,710
Wyoming $29.43/hr $61,220
Utah $29.3/hr $60,950
Guam $28.88/hr $60,070
Montana $28.67/hr $59,630
Indiana $28.58/hr $59,450
Washington $28.4/hr $59,070
Kentucky $28.22/hr $58,690
Massachusetts $28.13/hr $58,520
South Carolina $28.01/hr $58,250
West Virginia $27.3/hr $56,780
Nebraska $26.97/hr $56,090
New Jersey $26.07/hr $54,230
Maine $25.76/hr $53,580
Nevada $25.64/hr $53,330
Idaho $24.88/hr $51,750
Puerto Rico $24.58/hr $51,130
Maryland $24.38/hr $50,720
California $23.81/hr $49,520
District of Columbia $22.85/hr $47,520
South Dakota $18.25/hr $37,960


Category: Marine engineers and naval architects

Total # Employed in the US 5,270
Average Hourly Wage: $38.1/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$19.75 $26.92 $35.74 $47.02 $58.64
Average Yearly Salary $79,240
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$41,070 $55,990 $74,330 $97,800 $121,960
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.8% 8.2% 12.4% 7.7% 52.8% 16.8% 1.2%
Marine engineers and naval architects — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Mississippi $51.77/hr $107,680
Utah $46.04/hr $95,760
Missouri $44.4/hr $92,350
Delaware $40.49/hr $84,220
Michigan $39.65/hr $82,470
North Dakota $39.57/hr $82,300
Indiana $38.62/hr $80,330
Montana $38.37/hr $79,800
Hawaii $37.44/hr $77,870
Massachusetts $34.3/hr $71,350
Colorado $34.17/hr $71,080
Oklahoma $32.39/hr $67,370
Kansas $30.27/hr $62,960
Nevada $27.38/hr $56,940
Alabama $24.18/hr $50,300


Category: Architectural and civil drafters

Total # Employed in the US 105,320
Average Hourly Wage: $22.94/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$13.97 $17.39 $21.92 $27.61 $33.47
Average Yearly Salary $47,710
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$29,050 $36,170 $45,600 $57,420 $69,610
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
1.5% 12.6% 29.9% 31.3% 20.9% 3.2% 0.6%
Architectural and civil drafters — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Colorado $26.61/hr $55,340
Delaware $26.11/hr $54,300
Missouri $25.41/hr $52,850
Florida $25.29/hr $52,600
Alaska $25.26/hr $52,550
Mississippi $25.22/hr $52,460
Oklahoma $25.01/hr $52,010
Wisconsin $24.85/hr $51,690
Washington $24.68/hr $51,330
New York $24.66/hr $51,280
Montana $23.87/hr $49,640
Nebraska $23.63/hr $49,150
District of Columbia $23.36/hr $48,590
Connecticut $23.16/hr $48,180
Arkansas $23.11/hr $48,080
Idaho $23.03/hr $47,900
Virginia $22.76/hr $47,340
North Dakota $22.76/hr $47,340
Indiana $22.7/hr $47,210
Louisiana $22.64/hr $47,090
Puerto Rico $22.42/hr $46,630
New Jersey $22.09/hr $45,950
Kansas $22.09/hr $45,960
New Hampshire $22.06/hr $45,880
Wyoming $21.9/hr $45,550
South Dakota $21.87/hr $45,500
Kentucky $21.74/hr $45,230
Oregon $21.62/hr $44,960
Hawaii $21.61/hr $44,950
North Carolina $21.52/hr $44,770
Massachusetts $21.46/hr $44,650
Michigan $21.11/hr $43,900
Iowa $21.05/hr $43,770
Utah $20.88/hr $43,420
Tennessee $20.85/hr $43,360
South Carolina $20.84/hr $43,340
Ohio $20.14/hr $41,890
Nevada $19.99/hr $41,580
California $19.94/hr $41,470
Guam $19.78/hr $41,140
Maine $19.55/hr $40,670
New Mexico $19.4/hr $40,360
Alabama $19.38/hr $40,310
Maryland $18.09/hr $37,630
Pennsylvania $17.37/hr $36,130
West Virginia $17.14/hr $35,640


Category: Drafters, all other

Total # Employed in the US 18,290
Average Hourly Wage: $23.18/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$13.72 $17.17 $21.79 $28.15 $35.05
Average Yearly Salary $48,210
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$28,540 $35,720 $45,320 $58,540 $72,910
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
1.5% 12.6% 29.9% 31.3% 20.9% 3.2% 0.6%
Drafters, all other — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alaska $28.91/hr $60,130
Oregon $28.82/hr $59,950
North Dakota $26.75/hr $55,630
Colorado $26.71/hr $55,550
Nevada $26.2/hr $54,500
Wyoming $25.35/hr $52,730
Connecticut $24.47/hr $50,900
Utah $24.23/hr $50,390
New Hampshire $23.7/hr $49,290
Indiana $23.43/hr $48,740
Maine $23.29/hr $48,440
Oklahoma $22.99/hr $47,820
North Carolina $22.93/hr $47,700
Mississippi $22.89/hr $47,610
Arkansas $22.82/hr $47,460
Kansas $22.46/hr $46,720
Missouri $22.4/hr $46,590
South Carolina $22.35/hr $46,500
Massachusetts $22.18/hr $46,130
Maryland $22.14/hr $46,050
New York $22.07/hr $45,900
Hawaii $21.97/hr $45,700
Virginia $21.8/hr $45,350
Delaware $21.78/hr $45,300
Nebraska $21.73/hr $45,200
Wisconsin $21.72/hr $45,170
New Mexico $21.65/hr $45,040
Michigan $21.04/hr $43,760
Tennessee $20.7/hr $43,050
South Dakota $20.66/hr $42,980
Idaho $20.35/hr $42,320
Kentucky $20.32/hr $42,270
Alabama $20.18/hr $41,970
Louisiana $19.53/hr $40,630
Montana $19.53/hr $40,630
Iowa $19/hr $39,520
California $16.89/hr $35,120
Guam $14.46/hr $30,090


Category: Architecture teachers, postsecondary

Total # Employed in the US 7,090
Average Yearly Salary $77,830
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$39,670 $55,750 $73,550 $94,390 $121,720
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.2% 0.7% 2.7% 2.3% 15.3% 34.6% 44.2%
Architecture teachers, postsecondary — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alabama - $68,750
Colorado - $87,390
Hawaii - $76,830
Idaho - $71,620
Kansas - $79,100
Kentucky - $69,010
Louisiana - $80,650
Maine - $72,610
Missouri - $87,300
Montana - $72,850
Nevada - $72,550
New Hampshire - $75,630
Ohio - $70,800
Oklahoma - $83,450
Oregon - $65,120
South Carolina - $73,830
Tennessee - $85,510
Utah - $86,060
Virginia - $79,470
Wyoming - $79,790
Guam - $58,560


Category: Computer Systems Engineers/Architects

Total # Employed in the US 195,890
Average Hourly Wage: $37.5/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$20.04 $28.11 $37.02 $46.58 $55.31
Average Yearly Salary $78,010
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$41,680 $58,460 $77,010 $96,890 $115,050
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.6% 6.4% 17.0% 10.5% 44.3% 18.7% 2.5%


Category: Marine Architects

Total # Employed in the US 5,270
Average Hourly Wage: $38.1/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$19.75 $26.92 $35.74 $47.02 $58.64
Average Yearly Salary $79,240
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$41,070 $55,990 $74,330 $97,800 $121,960
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.8% 8.2% 12.4% 7.7% 52.8% 16.8% 1.2%


Category: Architectural Drafters

Total # Employed in the US 105,320
Average Hourly Wage: $22.94/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$13.97 $17.39 $21.92 $27.61 $33.47
Average Yearly Salary $47,710
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$29,050 $36,170 $45,600 $57,420 $69,610
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
1.5% 12.6% 29.9% 31.3% 20.9% 3.2% 0.6%


Architecture Programs by State & City