<p>…of architecture grads?</p>
<p>i don’t know any figures, but i have been told in order to sit for you license exam, you have to do a couple years of internship and that these years don’t pay all that much (i think i saw around 40,000), but then after getting your license, it spikes up. I don’t know if this is correct, but I though i remembered reading it somewhere. I know that architects don’t make a ton of money (in comparison to other fields), but that is not why many people go into architecture.</p>
<p>in this economy, you’d be very lucky to even have a job as a starting grad…</p>
<p>But starting salaries for someone with an accredited arch degree generally range from 30k-50k, depending where you work, and what kind of firm (starchitect, small firm, construction company, corporate firm…).</p>
<p>Type of Firm:
Corporate firms pay the best (around 45k in NYC) and starchitect firms usually pay the worst (OMA will pay you 400 euros a month). </p>
<p>Location:
NYC salaries tend to be higher because of the cost of living. In places like Arizona and Ohio where cost of living is low, salaries are generally lower but you probably end up saving a lot more money. </p>
<p>Starting architecture grads earn very little because they come out of school with very little leverage to the industry, unless you have a particular skillset to offer that very few people have. This is why it would be useful to get some internship experience before you graduate. </p>
<p>You have to look at the long term salaries to really understand why starting grads earn so little. Salaries are very dependent on experience because schools don’t teach you what you need to know in the real world. Once you are much more proficient in the profession, you have a much higher earning power because you will be very useful to the firm. But that is not to say that starting grads are useless because they bring in fresh ideas, new perspectives, and new skillsets. Firms usually want to invest in very talented graduates. </p>
<p>People who run their own firm or are principals of the firm can earn a lot of money…but that takes a lot of gut, hard work, persistence, and talent. During a good period, principals at corporate firms (from my observation) can earn around 160k a year + bonus. Partners earn a lot more because they buy part of the firm, meaning they can earn a lot during a good year but also lose a lot in a bad year. </p>
<p>In a down cycle like this one though, even experienced people will be laid off. That is just the nature of the industry</p>
<p>I think sashimi has the numbers about right, though it is hard to tell where the numbers are right now. I have seen firms reducing staff salaries by 20%, so I assume this must trickle down to any new hires. Starting salaries seem more dependent on type of firm than on location. Starting for a big firm in NY will not get you a higher starting salary than a comparable job in Atlanta, Dallas, or Chicago. There is just a lot more competition.</p>
<p>rick</p>
<p>
I agree. The unemployment rate for entry-level work in architecture field is very high compared to accounting, engineering, medicine or actuary… but, hey… it’s your call…</p>
<p>I believe the Architectural Review mag just put out an employment/job(less)-related issue last month. I’ll dig around the office and scan those pgs</p>
<p>Its depend on your work and your talent. When you provide complete works and satisfaction then you get more than enough in this architecture field. Salary is no bar.</p>