Urban and Regional Planners
Median wage · national
$89,320
Range: $72K – $110K
Employed
44K
Openings/yr
3K
Typically: master's degree
STEM
Architecture Teachers
Architecture Teachers earn $96,870 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $74,970 and $128,510. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Architecture Teachers
This page sets out what the federal data says about working as a architecture teachers: what the job pays, how fast it is growing, and what it takes to get in. Most people arrive through a degree in Design and what it leads to, though it is not the only route.
Teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
- Median Wage
- $96,870
- Employed Nationally
- 8K
- Openings / Year
- 700
- Entry Education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Adjunct Instructor
Adjunct Professor
Architectural Design Professor
Architectural Drafting Instructor
Architecture Faculty Member
How Much Do Architecture Teachers Make?
Most architecture teachers take home around $96,870 a year, well above what most college graduates make. Half earn somewhere between $74,970 and $128,510, so where you land depends a lot on employer, specialty and city. Worth weighing against how long the training takes. Source: BLS.
A wage on its own says nothing about whether the degree behind it pays for itself, which is a question of lifetime earnings set against the total cost of getting there.
$96,870
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$75K–$129K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$74,970
Entry-level
$96,870
Median
$128,510
Experienced
What Do Architecture Teachers Do?
This is what the job actually looks like on a Tuesday: 5 core activities and 5 skills the work depends on. Read it before the salary, because pay matters less than whether you would want to spend your days doing this. Source: O*NET.
What You'll Do
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as architectural design methods, aesthetics and design, and structures and materials.
- Evaluate and grade students' work, including work performed in design studios.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Reading Comprehension
Instructing
Learning Strategies
Speaking
Active Listening
Who Thrives Here
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
A
Artistic
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
Where Do Architecture Teachers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Low
Low time pressure. Work pace is typically steady and self-directed.
What Is the Job Outlook for Architecture Teachers?
Through 2035 the BLS expects this field to change by +2.6%, meaning it is growing slowly, a little behind the average job. Around 700 roles open up each year, which is the number that matters most if you are starting out. Source: BLS.
Growth rates are only meaningful next to other occupations, and the full list of careers with their projected growth puts this one in context.
↗ +2.6%
10-Year Growth (2025–2035)
Slower than average.
700
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
8K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2025.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Architecture Teachers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $96,870 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 1,460 | $126,430 | +30.5% |
| 2 | Texas | 770 | $101,040 | +4.3% |
| 3 | California | 530 | $103,520 | +6.9% |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 440 | $101,740 | +5.0% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 430 | $102,920 | +6.2% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
To get hired here you will usually need a doctoral or professional degree. The 9 programs below are the most common routes in, ordered by how many people actually graduate from each one.
The next most common path is an Architectural Sciences and Technology program and the colleges offering it, which suits a different kind of applicant.
Typical Entry Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Design | 36,019 | $51,490 | 1,238 |
| 2 | Architectural Sciences and Technology | 9,033 | $70,074 | 199 |
| 3 | Architecture, General | 4,794 | $66,914 | 140 |
| 4 | City & Regional Planning | 2,481 | $66,874 | 140 |
| 5 | Architectural Engineering | 1,090 | $89,406 | 30 |
| 6 | Landscape Architecture | 926 | $66,387 | 70 |
| 7 | Interior Architecture | 850 | $60,369 | 53 |
| 8 | Environmental Design | 719 | $57,461 | 61 |
| 9 | Architectural History | 158 | $65,003 | 35 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Architecture Teachers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 2 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 5 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 6 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA | 92 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Architecture Teachers, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Architecture Teachers pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Architecture Teachers Pros & Cons
The data on Architecture Teachers shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $96,870 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $128,510 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Slow job growth At +2.6% projected growth, this career lags the national average. Limited expansion means stiffer competition for openings that do appear.
- High education requirement Most employers require a doctoral or professional degree, typically 6 to 10+ years of higher education before earning full wages. Factor tuition costs into your ROI calculation.
Architecture Teachers Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Architecture Teachers professionals earn?
Around $96,870 a year for the typical worker, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $74,970 and $128,510. Treat the national figure as a starting point rather than a promise: employer size, industry and city all move it.
Is Architecture Teachers a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $96,870 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Research salary outcomes at specific programs, not just the national median, before committing to a graduate path.
How long does it take to work as Architecture Teachers?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A doctoral or professional degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Design are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $96,870 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Is a doctoral or professional degree worth it to become an Architecture Teachers?
For in-state public programs, generally yes. The margin tightens significantly at private schools with heavy debt loads. A $96,870 median may take 15 to 20 years to recover at high-cost programs. School choice (specifically tuition cost and your expected local job market) matters as much as the credential itself.
What is the job outlook for Architecture Teachers?
Employment is projected to change by +2.6% through 2035, slower than average compared with other occupations. Around 700 roles open each year once you count people retiring and moving on, which matters more to someone starting out than the growth rate does. 8K people do this job nationwide today, so it is an established field rather than a niche one. Source: BLS May 2025.
Why do Architecture Teachers salaries vary so widely?
The $53,540 gap between the 25th ($74,970) and 75th ($128,510) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Architecture Teachers professionals need?
Mainly Reading Comprehension, Instructing, Learning Strategies, Speaking, and Active Listening. Notice how many of those are habits rather than facts: they come from doing the work, not from a lecture. That is why programs with an internship or co-op requirement put you ahead of people who only studied the theory. Source: O*NET.
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- Median wage
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Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
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- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
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- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
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- Job outlook
- Career change
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