Architect

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Work Tasks

• Design buildings and how they will look
• Draw detailed blueprints of buildings
• Decide what the buildings will be made of, i.e., brick, steel, wood
• Follow laws such as fire codes and building codes
• Work inside in offices for builders, the government, engineers, and others
• Work with drafting tools, models, building materials, contracts, and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs

Salary, Size & Growth

• $78,000 average per year ($37.50 per hour)
• A medium occupation (87,700 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.6% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 5-year bachelor's degree in architecture
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree in architecture
• Certification/Licensing: A license is needed, which requires a degree, work experience, and passing a test. On-going education is required each year to keep the license.