I'm a recently licensed architect, with 5 yrs in design, 2 yrs in construction management, still making less than 80k and ready to give this architect thing up for good. I was given a $500 raise earlier this year, with the principal looking confused and saying "you don't seem happy with this amount. what number did you have in mind?" I immediately followed up to secure $2k more but I am so done with this BS! any success with career transitions to PM roles at firms like JLL, CBRE, C&W?

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Owners are just greedy. Only way to make it out of the shit salary is to start your own firm unfortunately (which is fundamentally a pyramid scheme - profits from billing rates of employees are extracted to enrich owners). And if you start your own firm, then you would just be playing into the culture of underpaying employees. Until we bill our clients 2 times what we are now, this industry will never be better financially.

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We need a union.

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This is so sad as I’m currently taking my ARE exams…and I make less than 55k with 6 years of experience. The “if you love what you do, money will follow” doesn’t work when firms are underpaying their employees who are more valuable. Something needs to change. I’m sorry you are discouraged and I hope you find something that pays you what you deserve.

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This is literally me 4 years ago and things have not improved proportionally. I have a "professional development" lunch scheduled with an owner tomorrow. At this point I'm basically interviewing them to see if they even value me anymore. There are other issues than my low salary to discuss.

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Sorry to hear that! I work in the construction company as a designer and taking my exams and make more than that. I can refer you to my company if you want! We can connect on LinkedIn if you’d like to know more

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Hi, I’m on the lookout for a new position too. Where is your firm located ? And do they offer remote positions ? Please can I get a referral ?

so sorry to hear that, everyone :'(
I think it's high time we make some form of change/transition to better our financial selves at this point. the business model that is architecture really is broken beyond repair (slave for max hours at an hourly service business model, no real financial risks and gains to leverage for profitability, zero potentials for compound growth, etc etc etc).

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I have been following the New York unionization. In my opinion to be effective and make actual change it would need to be nationwide union. I think AIA needs to start with the education of value to the general public. I hear far too often "why do I need an architect." People think, "I don't need a high design. I only need function." However, they throw away the thought of public safety. Which is literally number 1 on our responsibilities.

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Feel you. Licensed 4 years with 10 years of experience "project manager" now. I put in quotes because it's what I've been doing for years now they are selling it. No "promotion" associated though and my current raise brought me to 62k.

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Wow. That’s some BS. I have been hesitant to continue in this career and have mainly stayed bc of the money and the fear of hoping to something else with no experience. This past week my principal asked why I haven’t gotten my license. And pretty much made it a requirement to get it. I am very much done suffering and sacrificing for a career that doesn’t make me happy. Might be my time to fly as well.

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Good luck! We are looking for Manager in our team and I believe Design management team is also hiring! If you are ever interested, you can look at Exyte roles!

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Welcome to the world of architecture, my father was an architect for 50 years with his own firm for 30. When I decided to work with him 35 years ago his partner pulled me into his office to welcome me aboard and proceeded to ask “do you not like money?”
As others have said before if you are not running your own firm Architecture is not a high income career. I hear people on here complaining they don’t make 80k well I can tell you I know partners in very successful firms that never made more than 60k salary. After 35 years I bring in around 65k

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Everyone check out, Architectural Workers United whom are advocates for equity and worker rights as architects/designers.

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Asking for my husband…

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He’s making 75K.

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