GoBlue81

There is no way to gauge whether a Harvard grad making $36K a year is good salary or not, 'cause that may be 30 years ago. An architecture friend of mine used to joke that she made less than a Kroger bag boy in her first job. She had to work for 3 years before she could take the registration exam (not many people pass the first time). Of course there are exceptions if you are talented. One of her classmates got recruited right out of school by a prestigious small firm with a chance to make partner.

It depends on the individual. If you are a talented designer or a good project manager, you should do ok. Yeah, if you become famous you can make $3K an hour or more...but you can say that in almost any field. But the starting salary for the first few years are generally on the low side.

For comparison, Today's engineering grads average around $50K a year, according to Money Magazine (http://money.cnn.com/2004/02/05/pf/c...ex.htm?cnn=yes)

taxguy

Too much of this thread is how much starting salary can I make. Frankly, I suggest that architecture, as the orginal question posted, is a very respectible career. If you want to make big money at it, you will have to have your own firm or rise through the ranks at a big place. If you like it and enjoy the work, don't let the starting salary deter you.

GoBlue81

Agreed. Your advice in your previous post is sound. Follow your dream. My architecture friend is very happy in her career. She has always wanted to be an architect and would never trade it for anything else.

About Architect being one of the toughest program. As I recall, the lights at the studio were always on at night. Most of the kids would be pulling all nighters for a few nights before the big design project was deal. But they seemed to really enjoy what they were doing. And the class was like a close-knitted community as they spent so much time together.

NorthWestLover

http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/p...sp?careerID=11

I don't know this source is reliable, but I don't think the pay in first year of this career is that pay (about $24,000). Although, after 10 years, it says it will increace to $80,000.

If you don't want to be a doctor, don't. Can you imagine working with sick people even you don't want to? I think an architect is a great career (I thought of becoming one before), and if you're interested in, go for it.

http://www.acinet.org/acinet/default.asp

Also, I would recommend you to see this page too. Might be you a different number from Princeton Review's.

sluffy1

As someone with a Master of Architecture, 10 years experience in the field, married with two kids, I would say don't torture yourself. Choose a better field. Your intelligence and time will be squandered by this job, and leave you the second the economy turns flat.
Ever wonder why currently (October of 2009) about 45% of architects are unemployed?
Sure Im a little bitter, but I'd rather tell you this now than you get into the profession and waste your life away trying to be an architect. DO NOT DO IT.

freesnowcone

civil engineering on the other hand pays a lot more starting out and is an occupation with much higher demand but its different.

sashimi46

freesnowcone- civil engineer starting pay in general (unless you work for ARUP or exonn mobil) is about the same as architecture. architects hire civil engineers for their projects so when the economy is bad and architects are out of work, so goes the civil engineers.

architecture starting pay is low because starting grads have little knowledge on putting CD's together, putting together building systems, etc.

Corporate firms are buying up most of the smaller firms because they are largely inefficient. Corporate firms also largely rely on productive software and efficient production since efficient project delivery is so critical today. As more firms continue to rely on new software, starting grads can actually be very useful to the firm (and thus get paid higher). A student who has expertise in new software are in high demand for firms since it gives the firm a competitive advantage over other firms with faster delivery.

Josh prince ramus of REX has a good statement for young people:

I have one specific piece of advice: don't follow conventional
paths. this is the best moment you could ever be a young
architect, because the playing field in this economy is
becoming even. for a long time, the older generations
ate the young. they're going down right now and there's
no definition of what architecture will be. don't try to get
a junior job at the best firm you can and spend the next
30 years working your way through. this is the moment
to move back home, use all your contacts and start
operating locally. do great work locally and define
what architecture will be for the next 50 years.
the more general advice is that no one can teach you
how to design. no one can teach you how to be creative.
but they can teach you to be self-critical. in school you
should focus on learning to be self-critical and on
contracts (laughs). spend most of your time
- if you're in architecture school - over at the law school
or the business school because that's where you're going
to learn tools. the real things you can learn in architecture
school are tools. focus on tools, not on your studio course.

kjofkw

I don't quite agree w/ post #22 (JPRamus advice). Tools change constantly. While I think the studio courses can be reduced, and better monitored by administration and professors for time committment, I also think studios provide a critical component. It is typically during studio where you learn to solve problems, think creatively, monitor your time, and work in teams -- all important skills in any field.

I DO agree courses (and contacts) in business and law schools can be very helpful.

rick12

Interesting advice from Prince Ramus. Let's see; he goes to work for Rem Koolhaas, gains a name for being the project architect for the Seattle library, becomes the head partner for Rem when the previous partner leaves, then splits off on his own taking Rem's Wylie theater in Dallas with him. Just think what he could have accomplished if he had just gone back to his hometown and started operating locally as a one man office ;-)

rick