Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.

Architects spend much of their time in offices, where they develop plans, meet with clients, and consult with engineers and other architects. They also visit construction sites to prepare initial drawings and review the progress of projects to ensure that clients' objectives are met. About 1 in 5 were self-employed in 2014.

There are typically three main steps to becoming a licensed architect: completing a professional degree in architecture, gaining relevant experience through a paid internship, and passing the Architect Registration Examination.

The median annual wage for architects was $76,100 in May 2015.

Employment of architects is projected to grow 7 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Competition for jobs will be very strong because the number of applicants continues to outnumber available positions.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for architects.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of architects with similar occupations.

Learn more about architects by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.