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17-1011.00 - Architects, Except Landscape and Naval


Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
112,600
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
120,400
Estimate
Change in Employment
+7,800
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+6.9%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Prepare information regarding design, structure specifications, materials, color, equipment, estimated costs, or construction time.
  • Consult with clients to determine functional or spatial requirements of structures.
  • Prepare contract documents for building contractors.
  • Integrate engineering elements into unified architectural designs.
  • Administer construction contracts.
  • Represent clients in obtaining bids or awarding construction contracts.
  • Design or plan construction of green building projects to minimize adverse environmental impact or conserve energy.
  • Design structures that incorporate environmentally friendly building practices or concepts, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
  • Perform predesign services, such as feasibility or environmental impact studies.
  • Plan or design structures such as residences, office buildings, theatres, factories, or other structural properties in accordance with environmental, safety, or other regulations.
  • Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools.
  • Direct activities of technicians engaged in preparing drawings or specification documents.
  • Meet with clients to review or discuss architectural drawings.
  • Develop marketing materials, proposals, or presentations to generate new work opportunities.
  • Develop final construction plans that include aesthetic representations of the structure or details for its construction.
  • Conduct periodic on-site observations of construction work to monitor compliance with plans.
  • 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.
  • Plan layouts of structural architectural projects.
  • Create three-dimensional or interactive representations of designs, using computer-assisted design software.
Supplemental
  • Prepare operating and maintenance manuals, studies, or reports.
  • Calculate potential energy savings by comparing estimated energy consumption of proposed design to baseline standards.
  • Design environmentally sound structural upgrades to existing buildings, such as natural lighting systems, green roofs, or rainwater collection systems.
  • Gather information related to projects' environmental sustainability or operational efficiency.
  • Inspect proposed building sites to determine suitability for construction.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Design
  • 98%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Building and Construction
  • 96%
    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 82%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 81%
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 80%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 English Language
  • 79%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Administration and Management
  • 77%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 76%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Law and Government
  • 69%
    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
 Mechanical
  • 68%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Mathematics
  • 68%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Economics and Accounting
  • 65%
    Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
 Sales and Marketing
  • 65%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
 Fine Arts
  • 64%
    Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
 Physics
  • 61%
    Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
 Production and Processing
  • 61%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Education and Training
  • 61%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Personnel and Human Resources
  • 60%
    Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
 Geography
  • 59%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
 Clerical
  • 59%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 History and Archeology
  • 58%
    Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
 Psychology
  • 54%
    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
 Communications and Media
  • 51%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Sociology and Anthropology
  • 50%
    Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Drafting supplies
  • Architectural templates
  • Arm drafting machines
  • Compasses
  • Dividers
  • Track drafting machines
  • Triangles
 Power tools
  • Circular saws
  • Fretsaws
 Computer printers
  • Computer laser printers
  • Plotters
 Machinery for working wood and stone and ceramic and the like
  • Computer-guided milling machines
  • Disk grinding machines
 Duplicating machines
  • Diazo copiers
  • Engineering copiers
 Cameras
  • Digital cameras
 Cutting and crimping and punching tools
  • Hand saws
  • Precision knives
  • Thermal saws
 Art and craft cutting products
  • Mat knives
 Picture framing
  • Mitre boxes
 Computers
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal computers
  • Tablet computers
 Measuring and layout tools
  • Parallel bars
 Soldering machines
  • Soldering irons
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Business function specific software
  • 1ST Pricing Window & Door Toolkit
  • BQE Software ArchiOffice
  • Craftsman CD Estimator
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementHOT
  • Oracle Primavera Systems
  • Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
  • Applied Search Technology CADFind
  • FileNet P8
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Creative CloudHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe IllustratorHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesignHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • Micro-Press MicroStation PowerDraft
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Quark
  • Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal (calendar and scheduling feature)
 Data management and query software
  • Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2HOT
  • Amazon RedshiftHOT
  • Apache CassandraHOT
  • Apache HadoopHOT
  • Apache HiveHOT
  • Apache PigHOT
  • CA Erwin Data Modeler
  • Data entry softwareHOT
  • Database software
  • FEMA EMMIE
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Microsoft SQL ServerHOT
  • MongoDBHOT
  • NoSQLHOT
  • Oracle JDBCHOT
  • PostgreSQLHOT
  • Qlik Tech QlikViewHOT
 Development software
  • Apache Maven
  • Chef
  • Microsoft PowerShellHOT
  • PuppetHOT
  • Verilog
 Industry specific software
  • Artifice DesignWorkshopHOT
  • Autodesk 3ds Max DesignHOT
  • Autodesk Architectural StudioHOT
  • Autodesk AutoCADHOT
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DHOT
  • Autodesk RevitHOT
  • AutoDesSys form ZHOT
  • AzTechSoft GPS2CADHOT
  • BeamChek
  • Bentley MicroStationHOT
  • Computer aided design and drafting software CADDHOT
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
  • Drcauto Smart Architect LT ProHOT
  • Graphisoft ArchiCADHOT
  • MyFamilySoftware Instant ArchitectHOT
  • NavisWorks JetstreamHOT
  • Quality Plans & Software HVAC Calculator
  • Roof Builder ToolsHOT
  • Trimble SketchUp ProHOT
  • VectorWorks ARCHITECTHOT
  • Virtual reality modeling language VRML softwareHOT
 Information exchange software
  • ESRI ArcGIS softwareHOT
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Intuit QuickBooksHOT
  • Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal (accounting feature)
  • Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal (time accounting feature)
 Network applications software
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Specialty
 Advanced
 Product/Equipment
  • Certified Professional Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012
    111 McInnis Parkway San Rafael, CA 94903

 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Brightpoint Community College
 Programs
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
 Programs