A recent study of the 2008-2009 compensation and benefits survey produced by DesignIntelligence and the Greenway group found that Architects who pursue their Masters degree and those who become licensed see about 10% higher earnings than their counterparts with a Bachelor of Architecture degree.
The B.Arch holders statistically make an average of $39,000 at the start of their careers while M.Arch graduates earn a median salary of $43,000. Also, architects who obtain licensure see a typical increase in base compensation of 5-10% and as a further incentive, 81% of firms pay for some or all expenses of their staff to take the ARE.
Now, while I think its common sense for a licensed architect to make more money than an architect without one, because they are more valuable, I don't think that there's much difference between a B.Arch and an M.Arch holder. That extra year of studio isn't going to help much without any real work experience. Besides, I remember when I was in school and would often see some of the graduate presentation panels and wonder why many of them looked like they were second year undergraduate presentations. Doors measuring less than 6ft in height, all glass fenestration intended to also function as load bearing walls (I'm not kidding!) because many of them received a bachelors degree in some unrelated field and now come into the M.Arch program without any of the basic knowledge needed. And three years isn't enough to teach them what the B.Arch holder learned in 5!
But despite my gripes, the statistics aren't lying so I would advice any architecture student going for the B.Arch to try to secure a job while in school and begin working on the IDP, Intern Development Program, get as much work experience as possible and take the LEED exam. Hopefully, this will help raise you to a higher salary bracket because in this economy, that $39,000 isn't going to do a thing for you especially when you have the bogeymen at Salliemae calling for you to repay your student loans.
1 comment:
It is so true. As architect students he have to go through so many hurdles and late nights making drawings and models for five long years. We get ridiculed and driven to wits' end. For what, so at the end of all we might not even get the grade or the job we know we deserve.
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