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Boston Career Explorer

Architecture and Engineering

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.

Also called: Architect, Architectural Designer, Design Architect, Planner, Project Architect, Specifications Writer

Median pay in Greater Boston
$119,120
$57.27/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
3,930
Massachusetts 2024–2034
−1.4%
300 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Bachelor's degree
plus Internship/residency

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$83,220$87,050$119,120$127,160$161,740

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools.
  • Plan or design structures such as residences, office buildings, theatres, factories, or other structural properties in accordance with environmental, safety, or other regulations.
  • Meet with clients to review or discuss architectural drawings.
  • Prepare contract documents for building contractors.
  • Develop final construction plans that include aesthetic representations of the structure or details for its construction.
  • Conduct periodic on-site observations of construction work to monitor compliance with plans.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure68 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 74
  • Language-model AIOE 62
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 69

Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)

Architects have higher AI exposure, but observed AI use is still limited. Tools can help with drafting, drawing variations, and preparing documents. Designing to safety rules, meeting with clients, and making final design choices rely on professional judgment. Massachusetts job counts are projected to dip slightly.

Likely to change

  • Preparing scale drawings and design options
  • Drafting contract documents for contractors

Still relies on people

  • Meeting clients and understanding what they need
  • Judging designs against safety and code rules

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Industrial Production Managers

    Your experience coordinating plans and meeting standards carries over to directing production and quality, with pay around $153,210 and lower AI exposure.

    Pay difference
    +$34,090 median
    AI exposure
    Moderate
    MA growth
    +2.3%
    To get started
    Bachelor's degree

  • Structural Iron and Steel Workers

    You already read blueprints and specifications. This hands-on trade has very low AI exposure, pays about $120,840, and is learned through an apprenticeship.

    Pay difference
    +$1,720 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +6.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

7 programs near Boston (plus 5 graduate)

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

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