The median annual wage of architects was $72,550 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,860, and the top 10 percent earned more than $119,500.
Earnings of partners in established architectural firms may fluctuate because of changing business conditions. Some architects have difficulty establishing their own practice and may go through a period when their expenses are greater than their income, requiring substantial financial resources.
Many firms pay tuition and fees toward continuing education requirements for their employees.
Nearly all architects work full time. Many work more than 50 hours per week. Working evenings and weekends is often necessary to meet deadlines.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition