What Does an Architectural Designer Do?
Architects rely on designers to turn sketches into models, drawings and renderings that clients can react to. Architectural designers are distinguished from architects in that they have not yet earned a state license, so a licensed architect reviews and stamps their work.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Architectural Drafter, Architectural Draftsman, Civil Drafter, Computer-Aided Design Designer (CAD Designer), Computer-Aided Drafting and Design Drafter (CADD Drafter), Computer-Aided Drafting Designer (CAD Designer), Drafting Technician, Draftsman.
Architectural Designer Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of an architectural designer include:
- Build digital building models in Revit, SketchUp or Rhino to test design options.
- Draw floor plans, sections and elevations from an architect's sketches and markups.
- Produce renderings and presentation boards for client meetings and review boards.
- Research materials, finishes and products, and gather samples and product data sheets.
- Measure existing buildings and draw accurate plans for renovation projects.
- Revise drawing sets after client, engineer and code reviews.
- Assemble permit drawing packages and track comments from the building department.
- Update the drawing set to match changes and field conditions during construction.
- Keep project files, drawing standards and title blocks consistent across the team.
- Sit in on client meetings and take notes on decisions and design changes.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as an architectural designer, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Revit and AutoCAD
- SketchUp, Rhino or similar modeling software
- Rendering tools such as Enscape or Lumion
- Adobe Photoshop and InDesign for presentations
- Sketching by hand
- Knowledge of building construction and materials
- A portfolio that shows design and drawing skill
- Openness to critique and fast revision
Education and Training
Entry with an associate degree in drafting might be possible, but designers with a bachelor's or master's degree in architecture will have an edge over other applicants. BLS lists an associate degree as typical for the wider group of architectural and civil drafters that these jobs fall into. Many designers later pursue a license.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $55,650 - $80,870 per year, with a median of $66,150.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Architectural and Civil Drafters.
According to BLS projections, employment of architectural and civil drafters, the group that includes architectural designers, will grow about 5 percent from 2025 to 2035. That group should see roughly 9,100 openings a year. Designers who model in Revit and present well to clients are more likely to find steady work.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, Architectural and civil drafters.
Architectural Designer Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $46,260 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $55,650 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $66,150 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $80,870 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $99,710 |
Highest-Paying States for Architectural Designers
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are District of Columbia ($97,880), Massachusetts ($76,990), California ($76,520), Colorado ($76,370), Connecticut ($76,290). Pay is lowest in Alabama ($57,100), South Dakota ($52,470), New Mexico ($50,230).
Median pay in all 50 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $57,100 |
| Arizona | $64,750 |
| Arkansas | $62,420 |
| California | $76,520 |
| Colorado | $76,370 |
| Connecticut | $76,290 |
| Delaware | $73,040 |
| District of Columbia | $97,880 |
| Florida | $62,640 |
| Georgia | $74,940 |
| Hawaii | $63,510 |
| Idaho | $61,840 |
| Illinois | $58,240 |
| Indiana | $60,000 |
| Iowa | $64,220 |
| Kansas | $62,220 |
| Kentucky | $60,120 |
| Louisiana | $61,010 |
| Maine | $66,200 |
| Maryland | $75,180 |
| Massachusetts | $76,990 |
| Michigan | $58,330 |
| Minnesota | $70,680 |
| Mississippi | $59,920 |
| Missouri | $61,940 |
| Montana | $65,750 |
| Nebraska | $61,550 |
| Nevada | $67,000 |
| New Hampshire | $65,300 |
| New Jersey | $62,960 |
| New Mexico | $50,230 |
| New York | $76,260 |
| North Carolina | $62,750 |
| North Dakota | $64,720 |
| Ohio | $61,450 |
| Oklahoma | $62,140 |
| Oregon | $74,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,800 |
| Rhode Island | $71,700 |
| South Carolina | $64,680 |
| South Dakota | $52,470 |
| Tennessee | $69,220 |
| Texas | $63,320 |
| Utah | $64,290 |
| Vermont | $61,000 |
| Virginia | $63,450 |
| Washington | $73,000 |
| West Virginia | $65,640 |
| Wisconsin | $62,930 |
| Wyoming | $63,730 |
Tools and Software Architectural Designers Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy hands-on work with tools, machines or the outdoors as well as organized work with data, records and clear procedures.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Systems Analysis, Writing, Critical Thinking, Active Learning.
Knowledge areas used most: Design, Building and Construction, Engineering and Technology, English Language, Computers and Electronics.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 3 of 5, which means medium preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 17-3011.00 (Architectural and Civil Drafters). View on O*NET OnLine.
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