Hiring guide · Science, Engineering & Lab
How to Hire an Architect
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring architects, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $99,280), recruit through community college and university engineering technology and science programs, verify State architect license where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for architects
There are about 124,600 architects employed in the U.S., with roughly 6,900 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +4.3% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $62,300–$77,960 | $29.95–$37.48 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $99,280 | $47.73 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $126,550 | $60.84 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $161,420 | $77.61 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Bachelor's degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Design
- Creativity
Nice-to-haves
- State architect license
- ARE
- LEED AP
- Experience with revit
Where to find architects
- Community college and university engineering technology and science programs
- Co-op and internship programs
- Professional societies such as ASCE, ASME and IEEE
- Military technical veterans
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Licensed Architect, Project Architect, Design Architect, Architectural Designer
Screening checklist
- Degree, transcript or credential verification (PE, FE, ASCP) where required
- A practical exercise, lab test or CAD drawing review
- Background checks for regulated or secure facilities
- Reference checks focused on accuracy and documentation
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Show your portfolio.”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
2. “What software do you use?”
What a strong answer includes: List.
3. “How do you handle client changes?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “Where are you in licensure?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
5. “Describe a project you’re proud of.”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Develop a Building Program with a Client (see the steps)
- Check a Design Against Building Code (see the steps)
- Respond to a Contractor Question During Construction (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as B.Arch, M.Arch, NAAB
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Architect 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Architect training. Show them the path forward: Architectural Designer → Licensed Architect → Project Architect → Principal.
Hiring architects: FAQ
How much should I pay an architect?
The U.S. median wage for architects is $99,280 per year ($47.73/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($77,960), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($126,550). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should an architect have?
BLS lists “bachelor's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for State architect license and ARE where relevant, plus skills such as design, revit and cad, and building codes.
How long does it take to train a new architect?
Becoming qualified typically takes 5–7 years of school plus internship. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “internship/residency.”