18 of the Best Types of Architect Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Architect jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Architect Jobs

• Executive Architect

  Salary range: $82,500 - $187,000

  The different types of executive jobs include upper- and senior-level management as well as the C-suite—the highest levels of senior management. The C-suite executives have the word “chief” at the beginning of their titles: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are the most common. Companies with a heavy reliance on information technology may also have a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Other executive jobs include vice president and director of various departments.

• Architect Director

  Salary range: $123,000 - $169,500

  A director is a low-level executive in a company or organization that is responsible for a particular project, region, or division. A director of a company is employed to manage the day-to-day business activities of a group or division within an organization. There are different types of directors, but they are all tasked with leading others and meeting the goals of the organization. Directors plan, execute and manage to reach a goal. For example, the sales director would oversee the sales for a particular product or area. An HR director would be tasked with screening applicants and hiring the right candidates, making sure to comply with all employment laws and settling any personnel issues.

• Architect Manager

  Salary range: $167,000 - $167,000

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Freelance Architect

  Salary range: $91,000 - $166,000

  The primary qualifications to become a freelance architect are experience as an architect and excellent communication skills. Most freelance architects have a master's degree in architecture and a portfolio of completed projects. Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of this position also requires responsiveness to project needs, time management skills, presentation skills, and the ability to gather more information about the needs of a particular project. Experience is one of the most valuable traits for this role, and architects often spend several years working with a larger firm before moving into a freelance career. It's possible to become a freelance architect immediately after graduating, but it's harder if you don't have any industry connections.

• Entry Level Architect

  Salary range: $91,000 - $166,000

  The primary qualifications an entry-level architect career are a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and excellent communication skills. Employers prefer applicants who have professional experience, but since this is an entry-level position, most do not require it. Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of an entry-level architect may require you to explain highly technical concepts in ways clients can understand, resolve complex problems, make recommendations to contractors, and understand how construction contracts, scheduling, materials, and applicable codes affect design requirements. Experience with any of these areas can help you stand out from other applicants.

• Independent Contractor Architect

  Salary range: $91,000 - $166,000

  You find Independent Contractors in many different industries, so the path to becoming one varies significantly. In general, you must have several years of experience in the field and have a track record of success in your industry. You also must pursue the kind of work that can be done on a consultant or contract basis. You may possess particular skills or expertise that a company needs temporarily, such as an IT Consultant, or provide a service that is required intermittently, like a Freelance Writer. Many Independent Contractors transition to becoming self-employed to have a more flexible schedule and the ability to choose their clients.

• Virtual Architect

  Salary range: $68,000 - $166,000

  A virtual job refers to a job that can be performed outside of an employer’s office. Also known as remote, work from home, or telecommuting jobs, these positions have become increasingly common because of technology like telephones, internet, email, and video conference calls, which help to facilitate employer-employee communication.

• Union Architect

  Salary range: $91,000 - $166,000

  For those who work for unions, some of the specific jobs include researchers, organizers, administrators, lawyers, communications workers, and clerical staff. Your duties include entering workplaces to speak with workers and provide them encouragement and support if they are interested in joining a specific union, or to negotiate with employers for better working conditions, pay, or benefits for union members. There are numerous types of unions, including health care, public sector, construction, writing, and service workers unions, and they represent a variety of professions, such as nurses, journalists, manufacturers, construction workers, municipal workers, and hotel workers, to name only a few.

• Temp Architect

  Salary range: $91,000 - $166,000

  Temp Architect is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Temp Architect jobs pay between $91,000 (25th percentile) and $166,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Temp Architect job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Temporary Architect

  Salary range: $91,000 - $166,000

  A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

• Full Time Architect

  Salary range: $91,000 - $166,000

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• Senior Architect

  Salary range: $99,500 - $141,500

  The primary qualifications to become a senior architect include at least a bachelor’s degree in architecture, state licensing or certification, and extensive experience as an architect. However, employers tend to prefer candidates with a master’s degree for this senior position. You also need an understanding of how to market and win projects, familiarity with reading and interpreting architectural plans, the ability to create complete plans, and experience as a supervisor. Some firms require specialized knowledge, such as familiarity with the unique needs of aviation or transportation buildings. Excellent communication, time management, and organizational skills are also important.

• Trainee Architect

  Salary range: $41,000 - $135,000

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• Co Op Architect

  Salary range: $69,000 - $95,000

  The qualifications you need for a Co-Op job depend on the application requirements at your school and the organization where you want to work. You must be an officially enrolled student at your college or university, and GPA and credit hour requirements are typical. Some companies prefer Co-Op students whose major aligns with the industry. You must have strong communication skills and a willingness to learn and practice a variety of new tasks and job duties. Your responsibilities are to apply your learning to your Co-Op work experience and be a punctual and motivated employee.

• On Call Architect

  Salary range: $69,000 - $95,000

  When most people think of on-call jobs, medical professionals and first responders typically come to mind. For first responders, like firefighters and EMTs, on-call usually means you are sleeping at the station, ready to wake up and respond to a call quickly. Medical workers, on the other hand, may work a more traditional on-call schedule. While some nurses and doctors may sleep at the hospital, especially during their residency, you may also have an on-call shift where you can leave and go home, potentially never actually coming back. If you want a career as a nurse or doctor but do not like this unpredictability, rest assured that the chance of having on-call shifts decreases as you gain seniority and advanced qualifications. Repair workers like electricians may also work on-call. You may occasionally find on-call jobs in retail or customer service sectors, but this is not as common.

• Junior Architect

  Salary range: $59,500 - $76,000

  Junior Architect is a common job search query. Most salaries for Junior Architect jobs pay between $59,500 (25th percentile) and $76,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Junior Architect job searches, hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Architect Internship

  Salary range: $38,000 - $55,500

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.

• Architect Apprentice

  Salary range: $36,000 - $50,000

  Architect apprentice positions are not common in the United States. To become an architect in the US, you typically complete an associate or bachelor's degree program in architecture and participate in paid internships or externships that last up to three years. However, some universities participate in British apprenticeship training programs for architects, and some US-based companies with offices in the United Kingdom may offer apprenticeships. The qualifications to get a position as an architect apprentice include the ability to sketch and render architectural designs, strong technical skills, and a good eye for detail. You must also be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or program or graduate degree program in architecture.