Also called: Building Designer
Designs custom houses, additions, and remodels, which many states allow without an architect's license.
A family wants a second story on their ranch house, so you measure the house, draw options, and walk them through a 3D model at their kitchen table. Then you prepare permit drawings and talk with the builder.
Self-employed designers set their own rates.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Many have a 2-year drafting degree or architecture coursework; certification through AIBD is common.
Ways in: 2-year college, Certification, On-the-job training, Self-taught. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Architectural Drafting (2-year), Architecture, Construction Technology.
Growing about average. Steady demand for custom homes and additions.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI home-plan generators and auto-drafting cut routine plan work; custom design, permits and builder relationships stay human.
Classes: Architectural drafting CTE, Geometry, Woodshop.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.