A new report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted a period of growth of job seekers in the architectural field, providing a possible sign of hope for the labor market at a time when economic downturn and the rise of artificial intelligence have spurred fears of an employment crisis in the industry within the next decade.

Data that was released in last week’s Economic Outlook Report predicts a 5% increase in the number of architects employed in the overall economy by the year 2032. A total of 8,200 jobs will be added per year over that timespan on average, according to the report. The figures indicate a faster job growth rate for architects versus other occupations in the country. The Bureau says the demand stems mostly from a need to replace workers who will either retire or exit the architectural workforce entirely.

During that time, the total number of architects working in the United States is expected to grow from 123,700 to 129,700. That’s more than the 119,906 architects who were counted as part of the recent NCARB Survey of Architectural Registration Boards, which indicated a slight (1%) decline in overall employment from the 121,600 figure that was recorded the year before. 

Architectural employment had withstood the pandemic with a largely positive (17%) growth posted for the decade ending in 2020. Overall, architects can expect to earn an average of $82,840 per year currently, according to the Bureau. The full report can be accessed here. 

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