How Much Do Architects Make?

Learn how much architects earn in the UK, what qualifications are required, specialisms, pros and cons, and the best firms to work for.

How Much Do Architects Make? Career, Salary and Training Explained

Architecture is a career that blends creativity with logic, design with engineering. Architects shape the world around us—designing everything from homes and offices to stadiums and urban landscapes. It’s a rewarding but demanding profession, and in the UK, it takes years of study and experience to get qualified.

In this guide, we’ll cover what architects do, how much they earn, what training you need, and what the future holds for the profession.

Job Description: What Do Architects Do?

Architects plan, design and oversee the construction of buildings and spaces. They ensure projects are functional, safe, sustainable, and aesthetically appealing while meeting client and regulatory requirements.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Discussing project requirements with clients

  • Creating building designs using CAD or BIM software

  • Considering environmental, legal and safety factors

  • Preparing detailed construction drawings and documentation

  • Coordinating with engineers, surveyors and contractors

  • Visiting building sites to monitor progress

  • Ensuring projects stay within budget and timeline

Architects often work for design practices, property developers, local authorities, or as freelancers.

How Hard Is It to Become an Architect?

It’s one of the longest professional training routes in the UK—typically taking 7–10 years from start to full qualification. The workload is heavy and the learning curve is steep, especially with the mix of technical, legal, and creative content.

But if you’re passionate about design and the built environment, it’s a rewarding journey with plenty of career potential.

Traits and Characteristics You Need

To succeed as an architect, you need to be:

  • Creative and visually-minded

  • Technically strong, especially in maths and spatial awareness

  • Detail-focused, yet able to think big-picture

  • Communicative, with clear visual and written skills

  • Problem-solving, especially under time or budget pressure

  • Organised, to juggle multiple clients, plans, and regulations

  • Resilient, as criticism, revisions and tight deadlines are part of the job

Do You Need to Study to Become an Architect?

Yes—this is a heavily regulated profession. In the UK, you must be registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) to legally call yourself an architect.

The typical training path involves:

  1. Part 1 – BA/BSc in Architecture (3 years)

  2. 1 year of practical experience

  3. Part 2 – MArch or equivalent (2 years)

  4. Further practical experience (min 12 months)

  5. Part 3 – Professional Practice and Management (final qualification exam)

Total time: Around 7 years, including studies and practical experience. Some take longer depending on work placements and personal circumstances.

What Are the Different Levels and Specialisations?

Roles in the architecture field include:

  • Part 1 Architectural Assistant – early-stage graduate support

  • Part 2 Architectural Assistant – post-Masters designer

  • Qualified Architect – registered and licensed

  • Senior Architect – experienced designer and project lead

  • Associate/Partner – leadership role in a firm

  • Director / Practice Owner – business leader in architecture

Specialisms may include:

  • Sustainable/green design

  • Urban planning

  • Heritage and conservation

  • Commercial or industrial architecture

  • Interior architecture

  • Digital design and parametric modelling

What Experience Do You Need?

Experience is a legal requirement. You need at least 24 months of logged professional practice, usually completed between Part 1 and Part 3.

Most of this experience must be under the supervision of a qualified architect, and it’s recorded and reviewed before you can sit the final exam.

Benefits of Being an Architect

  • Creative freedom: You shape the environment people live and work in

  • Respect and regulation: It’s a legally protected, prestigious title

  • Variety of work: From housing to skyscrapers, every project is different

  • Global opportunities: UK qualifications are well regarded internationally

  • Good salary at senior levels

  • Chance to make real impact on sustainability, communities, and city planning

Drawbacks and Negatives

  • Long training period and student debt

  • Early-career salaries can be modest compared to other professions

  • High responsibility and liability—design errors can be costly

  • Time pressure and revisions are constant

  • Lots of unpaid overtime in competitive firms

  • Regulatory pressure—you must meet planning laws, building codes, and safety rules

Architect Salary Levels in the UK

Earnings increase significantly with experience and registration status.

  • Part 1 Assistant: £20,000–£26,000

  • Part 2 Assistant: £27,000–£35,000

  • Newly Qualified Architect: £35,000–£42,000

  • Experienced Architect: £45,000–£60,000

  • Senior Architect / Associate: £60,000–£80,000

  • Partner / Director: £85,000–£120,000+

Tax Example:

An architect earning £60,000/year would pay:

  • Income Tax: approx. £11,432

  • National Insurance: approx. £5,149

  • Take-home pay: approx. £43,420/year or £835/week

Freelance architects may earn more, but must factor in tax, insurance, and unpaid admin time.

What’s the Future for Architects?

The outlook is steady. Demand for sustainable and innovative design is increasing, but automation is creeping in for routine tasks. Skills in green design, BIM (Building Information Modelling), and digital design tools are now essential.

There’s also a growing focus on inclusive and affordable housing, urban regeneration, and climate-resilient buildings—areas that will shape the next generation of architects.

Best Architecture Firms to Work For in the UK

Some of the top architecture practices include:

  • Foster + Partners – iconic global design firm

  • Zaha Hadid Architects – cutting-edge parametric design

  • Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners – large-scale urban work

  • BDP – multidisciplinary, good for public sector and healthcare

  • Grimshaw – sustainability-focused projects

  • Allies and Morrison – known for urban planning

  • Hawkins\Brown – collaborative and research-led

  • Heatherwick Studio – experimental and creative design

Public sector roles with councils or housing associations also offer more stable hours and strong pensions.

Final Thought

Architecture is a long-term commitment. It takes years to qualify and climb the ladder, and early-stage pay doesn’t always reflect the work involved. But for those passionate about design, cities, and structure, it’s a career with creative depth and long-term potential. You’ll leave behind a legacy in the physical world that few other professions can match.