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Job Description | Duties | Working Conditions
Educational Requirements | Outlook | Salary
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Architecture and Construction
Job Description: Architects provide a wide variety of professional services to clients. They plan, design, and arrange contracts for building projects. They design buildings that are safe, useful, and pleasing in appearance. Architects work with individuals and organizations to decide the best way to meet the desired design specifications. They may advise clients on the purchase of appropriate building locations.
Duties: After the initial proposals are discussed and accepted by the client(s), architects may perform some or all of the following:
- Prepare drawings of the appearance and details of the construction
- Discuss desired changes with clients
- Draft and prepare drawings to show contractors and craftsworkers how to get the desired results
- Assist in the preparation of contracts between clients and contractors
- Oversee the construction contract to determine that regulations and details are carried out as planned
- Check zoning and building codes
- Use computer-assisted design software
For detailed information on tasks, knowledge, skills, abilities, work activities, work contexts, job zones, interests, work styles, work values, and related occupations visit the O*Net Online, a division of the National Center for Occupational Information.
Working Conditions: More than 28 percent of architects are self-employed. Architects usually work in a comfortable environment. Many have offices in their home. Those who work in large companies spend the majority of their time in an office advising clients, developing reports and drawings, and working with other architects and engineers. Architects sometimes visit construction sites to review the progress of a project. Generally architects work a normal 40-hour week with occasional evening and weekend work to meet deadlines.
Educational Requirements: In order to practice in Tennessee, the following criteria must be met:
- graduation from a school of architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), and three years of architectural experience satisfactory to the Board; OR
- graduation from an architectural curriculum of not less than 4 years offered by a school of architecture as part of an architectural curriculum toward a NAAB accredited degree, and 5 years of architectural experience satisfactory to the Board; OR
- graduation from an architectural-related curriculum of not less than 4 years accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, and 7 years of architectural experience satisfactory to the Board; AND
- completion of the Intern-Architect Development Program of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards; AND
- passage of the Architect Registration Examination; AND
- an unexpired certificate from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.
Outlook: The estimated number of architects (excluding landscape architects) in Tennessee is 1,540. It is projected there will be an increase of 29 percent in this occupation through the year 2012 with approximately 65 job openings annually. For additional information on this occupation, visit the nationally recognized Occupational Outlook Handbook online.
| 10% | 25% | Median- 50% | 75% | 90% | |
| TN Annual | $39,410 | $49,470 | $59,620 | $73,690 | $97,160 |
| US Annual | $39,420 | $49,780 | $64,150 | $83,450 | $104,970 |
*Some salaries are listed at an hourly rate. Those that include a single dollar amount are considered hourly wage.
Wage and salary data provided by:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
- TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
- Bureau of Economic Analysis website
For an explanation of salary data please visit acinet.org
Last updated on: January 23, 2008