Hey! I've searched the pro section and found nothing on this so...

...is it worth it? Being an Architect? It's a 7 year degree in Uni. 5 years in the Uni 2 years in work.
I'm off at collage in a few months (September) to do Graphic Design, Physics, Maths and ICT. But from there I wanted to go the Architect route but I was told the pay doesn't justify the 7 year degree :(

I don't mind being an Architect but just need some advice from the professionals.

if your doing it for the money almost no way....

you should also look at the drafting route it u hate drafting u shouldnt become an architect....

but if u love it and are prepared to earn less than most most people go for it...

if your doing it for the money almost no way....



You mean you can't even earn back your university fees?

Hey! I've searched the pro section and found nothing on this so...

...is it worth it? Being an Architect? It's a 7 year degree in Uni. 5 years in the Uni 2 years in work.
I'm off at collage in a few months (September) to do Graphic Design, Physics, Maths and ICT. But from there I wanted to go the Architect route but I was told the pay doesn't justify the 7 year degree :(

I don't mind being an Architect but just need some advice from the professionals.


To see you through the 7 years and beyond, you'd have to do better than "I don't mind being an Architect". If its for the money, I seriously suggest you to look elsewhere.

Why dont you try seeking professional help in choosing a career? (And of course i don't mean this "pro" section) It seems to me you're using all the wrong reasons in choosing. Remember, this is something you'll probably spend the rest of your life doing.... So you better enjoy it.

To see you through the 7 years and beyond, you'd have to do better than "I don't mind being an Architect". If its for the money, I seriously suggest you to look elsewhere.


Well, it's not much of minding being an Architect. I want to become an Architect. I am good in Maths and Science (incouding Physics).
I like drawing and I consider myself to be good at it. But I just need a few ideas to start me off. I really don't mind spending 7 years in Uni but arrgh! The pay! What kind of salary does an Architect get when he/she starts work?

BTW - Graphic Designer any good?

To see you through the 7 years and beyond, you'd have to do better than "I don't mind being an Architect". If its for the money, I seriously suggest you to look elsewhere.

I understand that architects earn little, but is it a reasonable amount still? Or will architects have to struggle with daily expenses and can't afford new cars and stuff like that? I don't need to have a luxurious life, but must I give up living in condos and eating at restaurants to pursue a passion?

Do architects lead "street artists" lives? :)

When it comes to wages, there are many variables: where you live, which firm you work for, how big the firm is, how well you negotiate your salary with your boss, how soon you obtain your practicing license, how fast you climb the corporate ladder, do you moonlight, etc etc. Then again, suppose you open your own firm (the only way to land the big bucks), what kind of projects you work on, who your clients are, etc etc.....
You should be able to find out online the start up salary for architects in the area where you live, like on msn or something.......Before deciding anything, why not meet and talk directly with an architect? Find out if someone you know can hook you up with an architect. Go talk to him/her.
Most architects I know of don't live street artists lives. Some may do, but I think this is an aberration. Architects earn enough, you won't be eating only one meal a day, but most architects don't really fall under the rich category either...
It's a tough profession, but if you like it, it's worth it.

Well, it's not much of minding being an Architect. I want to become an Architect. I am good in Maths and Science (incouding Physics).
I like drawing and I consider myself to be good at it. But I just need a few ideas to start me off. I really don't mind spending 7 years in Uni but arrgh! The pay! What kind of salary does an Architect get when he/she starts work?

BTW - Graphic Designer any good?

Architects' fees varies from places to places. Your best bet would be a visit to your local architecture instituition for advise on this.

I understand that architects earn little, but is it a reasonable amount still? Or will architects have to struggle with daily expenses and can't afford new cars and stuff like that? I don't need to have a luxurious life, but must I give up living in condos and eating at restaurants to pursue a passion?

Do architects lead "street artists" lives? :)

There are many factors affecting how much an architect earn. Many of these are beyond our control e.g. the economy. We certainly don't struggle to put bread on the table and some luxuries is possible. How much of these luxurious items will depend on individual.

There are many factors affecting how much an architect earn. Many of these are beyond our control e.g. the economy.

So must I move out of saturated Singapore to have a better life if I do become an architect? :)

So must I move out of saturated Singapore to have a better life if I do become an architect? :)

Not necessary true but I do think that an architect's talent and service is much more appreciated elsewhere.

I found this site that was helpful and to others in the London area

http://www.riba-jobs.com/Salary1.htm

do architechts in australia earn much??

I posted this before and it's a good guide for salaries and updated every month

http://www.architects-online.co.uk/salary_survey.htm

Basically, London wages should equate to the high end. They're not too shabby, but believe me that 7 years at university is expensive. You don't have to do it all in one go mind you (it's basically formed from three seperate degrees back to back) and there's no harm seeing if you can't get some experience in an architect's office before even university to see if you might really like to follow it as a career.

I graduated almost 5 years ago now and I've been pretty lucky in my experience. This summer should see the last of the student debts gone (yes it really has taken 5 years) which is going to be kinda like a payrise. I've had a couple of multi-million projects under my belt seen through from conception to completion and have won awards for both (not the Stirling Prize mind you :) )

The money thing can be an issue but at it's best it is a great job. As well as maths, physics and being generally artistic you have to be excellent at coordinating complicated multi-million pound projects dealing with as many different motivations as there are people involved whilst often under a lot of time and money pressure. You have to be able to talk and present to often large and sometimes sceptical or downright hostile groups of people whilst remaining entirely professional and calm. Basically, if you could take that skill set and apply it in almost any other industry your pay would double. Then, if you're lucky, once every few years you get to stand in a building that you've designed and talk to the people who use it and ,hopefully, like it!

Strange as it may seems, I still in my deluded way think that last bit makes the rest of it worthwhile.

Man, try to came to Spain! Just 5 years at University and you'll get your degree. (If you can do it in 5 years, because it's quite hard!;) I am in the last year and I've been studing it for 6 years! I hope next year I'll be architect :D

Yeah, it's not that different because that 7 years includes practical experience too (spread around between different years)

I posted this before and it's a good guide for salaries and updated every month

http://www.architects-online.co.uk/salary_survey.htm

Basically, London wages should equate to the high end. They're not too shabby, but believe me that 7 years at university is expensive. You don't have to do it all in one go mind you (it's basically formed from three seperate degrees back to back) and there's no harm seeing if you can't get some experience in an architect's office before even university to see if you might really like to follow it as a career.

I graduated almost 5 years ago now and I've been pretty lucky in my experience. This summer should see the last of the student debts gone (yes it really has taken 5 years) which is going to be kinda like a payrise. I've had a couple of multi-million projects under my belt seen through from conception to completion and have won awards for both (not the Stirling Prize mind you :) )

The money thing can be an issue but at it's best it is a great job. As well as maths, physics and being generally artistic you have to be excellent at coordinating complicated multi-million pound projects dealing with as many different motivations as there are people involved whilst often under a lot of time and money pressure. You have to be able to talk and present to often large and sometimes sceptical or downright hostile groups of people whilst remaining entirely professional and calm. Basically, if you could take that skill set and apply it in almost any other industry your pay would double. Then, if you're lucky, once every few years you get to stand in a building that you've designed and talk to the people who use it and ,hopefully, like it!

Strange as it may seems, I still in my deluded way think that last bit makes the rest of it worthwhile.

It's a good site, but what is the currency?

It's a good site, but what is the currency?

Pounds Sterling (£). :)

do architechts in australia earn much??

Building tradespeople (bricklayers, plumbers etc) earn more than architects. Of all the university graduates, architecture students earn the least, dentists the most. :D