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Architecture Professor
Also called: Architecture Faculty · Design Studio Professor · Architecture Instructor · Interior Architecture Professor
What architecture professors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an architecture professor do?
Architecture teachers, postsecondary, teach courses in architecture and architectural design, including landscape and interior architecture, at colleges and universities. The median pay is $96,870 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–8 years, and employment is projected to grow +2.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$96,870Annual salary · May 2025
- Job growth+2.6%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year700Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationDoctoral or professional degreeBLS classification
- Time to train6–8 yearsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs9,700Employment, 2025
What architecture professors do
Architecture professors train future architects. They lead design studios where students develop projects, give critiques, teach history, theory, structures and building technology, run reviews with visiting critics, research topics like sustainable design and often practice architecture themselves.
Many architecture faculty hold a professional master’s degree (M.Arch) and a license; research-focused roles may require a doctorate.
Typical duties
- Lead design studios
- Give critiques and reviews
- Teach history, theory and technology
- Advise students
- Conduct design research
- Practice architecture
- Serve on accreditation and committees
Work environment and schedule
Faculty work in design studios, classrooms, workshops and sometimes their own practices.
Schedule: Studio teaching can run long hours, especially near reviews.
A day in the life
- Lead a studio desk crit session.
- Teach building technology.
- Work on a firm project.
- Host a final review with guest critics.
See a full day in the life of an architecture professor →
Architecture Professor salary
Half of architecture professors earned more than $96,870 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $58,430 for the lowest 10% to $159,030 for the top 10%.
Full architecture professor pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an architecture professor
- Earn an architecture degree
- Practice and get licensed
- Teach as adjunct
- Build a design or research record
- Get hired
A professional M.Arch and often a license are common; some research roles require a Ph.D.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an architecture professor →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Architectural design
- Design critique
- Building technology
- Digital modeling
- Architectural history
People skills
- Mentoring
- Creativity
- Communication
- Constructive feedback
All architecture professor skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Creative teaching
- Can combine with practice
- Mentor future architects
- Design research
Cons
- Long studio hours
- Competitive positions
- Licensure and degrees required
- Heavy review periods
Certifications and licenses
- Architect license: Valued for studio faculty.
- NCARB certificate: Multi-state licensure.
- LEED AP: Sustainability credential.
- Ph.D. in architecture: Research path.
Career path
- Adjunct Studio Instructor: Teach studios.
- Assistant Professor: Faculty.
- Associate Professor: Tenure.
- Professor or Dean: Lead schools.
Learn the job before day one
Our Architecture Professor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as give a constructive design critique and run a final studio review, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Architecture Professor vs. Architect · Architecture Professor vs. Landscape Architect · Architecture Professor vs. Interior Designer · Architecture Professor vs. Art Professor
Architecture Professor FAQ
Do architecture professors need a Ph.D.?
Not always; many hold an M.Arch and a license.
Do they practice architecture?
Many do alongside teaching.
Is studio teaching demanding?
Yes, especially around reviews.
How much does an architecture professor make?
The median annual wage for architecture professors was $96,870 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $58,430 and the highest 10% earned more than $159,030.
How long does it take to become an architecture professor?
Most people need about 6–8 years of training. A professional M.Arch and often a license are common; some research roles require a Ph.D.
Do you need a degree to be an architecture professor?
Usually. BLS lists a doctoral degree as typical for postsecondary teachers. Universities generally require a Ph.D., while community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree and professional experience.
More architecture professor questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-1031 (Architecture teachers, postsecondary).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Architecture teachers, postsecondary (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.