What does an architect do and how much does he earn?

What does an architect do and how much does he earn?


Find out how much an architect earns and reveal the secrets of the profession involving the arts, humanities and even the exact sciences.




Architecture is one of humanity’s oldest and most fascinating professions. Human beings have long been creating and transforming the spaces in which they live, seeking comfort, beauty and functionality.

But do you know what the work of an architect is like today? Do you know what your areas of expertise, your training and your salary are?

Find out what an architect does and how much he earns, his main specialties and much more.

What is the role of an architect?

Have you ever wondered what the buildings we see in cities look like? Behind every creation there is a professional who designs and coordinates the entire process: the architect.

The architect is a professional in charge of planning, designing and supervising the construction of spaces and buildings, considering the aesthetic, functional, structural and regulatory aspects.

They create projects that meet the needs and wishes of customers, taking into account the issues of sustainability, safety and efficiency.

The architect’s work begins with an interview with the client, to understand their needs. For example, if he wants to build a house, the architect must know how many rooms he will have, what style he prefers, how much he can spend, etc.

After this interview, the professional visits the site where the work will be carried out and analyzes the characteristics of the terrain. He then searches for the most suitable materials and construction techniques based on the available budget.

Based on this information, the architect prepares the architectural plan, which is a set of plans and drawings showing what the building will look like inside and out. The design must take into account various aspects, such as:

I wait: the construction must be beautiful and in harmony with the surrounding environment.

Practicality: the work must be functional and comfortable for those who will use it.

Safety: Development must be resilient and protect people from hazards such as fires, landslides and encroachments.

energy efficiency: the work must make the most of natural light and heat, reducing electricity consumption.

Environmental impact: the construction should cause the least damage to nature, using recyclable or renewable materials and avoiding pollution.

However, the architect’s work doesn’t stop there!

The architect’s role does not end with the project. He also needs to organize and lead his own team, which may include other professionals such as engineers, designers, decorators and landscapers. Together they define the technical details of the work.

Furthermore, the architect takes care of the bureaucratic issues. He asks public bodies for the licenses and authorizations necessary to build.

It also establishes contacts with material suppliers and service providers. And, above all, coordinates the work, supervising the quality of the work carried out and compliance with the established deadlines.

The architect is also ready to solve any problems that may arise during the works, such as lack of materials, making quick decisions to avoid delays or waste.

His job ends only when the job is completed and handed over to the client. At that moment he checks that everything is working properly and that the client is satisfied with the result.

How much is the architect’s salary?

Now that you know the main functions performed by this professional, you may be wondering: How much does an architect earn?

Well, your compensation varies based on your area of ​​expertise, level of responsibility and experience.

In general, an architect in Brazil earns, on average, approx BRL 3,900.00according to the employment agency Catho.

However, he can specialize in different segments, being able to increase his salary up to around R$ 10,000 if he is hired by a large company.

There is a salary plan regulated by Law 4950-A, of April 22, 1966. This law says that an architect who works 6 hours a day must receive six minimum wages a month. However, many companies do not meet the minimum threshold.

Below are the main areas of work for architects and their salary ranges, according to data published in Quero Bolsa.

In which areas can an architect work?

Did you know that there are different types of architects? Each of them specializes in an area of ​​work and develops specific projects.

See below the main business branches and what each one does:

1. Urban architect

He is the professional who plans and organizes cities, trying to improve people’s quality of life. He creates projects involving land use, transport, the environment, housing, leisure and culture.

It also preserves and enhances the historical and cultural heritage of the cities. An example of an urban architecture project is the Master Plan, which defines the guidelines for the urban development of a city.

How much does a planner make?

Starting salary of BRL 2,420.00 per month.

2. Building architect

It is the professional who designs and constructs buildings, such as houses, apartments, offices, schools, hospitals, etc. He creates floor plans and drawings that show what the building will look like inside and out.

It also coordinates and supervises the works, taking care of the technical, financial and legal aspects.

How much does a building architect earn?

Starting salary of BRL 2,415.00 per month.

3. Heritage architect

It is the professional who studies and protects the cultural heritage of a company, such as monuments, historic buildings, archaeological sites and natural landscapes. He carries out research, restoration and interventions aimed at the conservation and dissemination of heritage.

It also promotes heritage education and cultural tourism. An example of a heritage architecture project was the revitalization of Pelourinho, in Salvador.

How Much Does a Heritage Architect Make?

Starting salary of approximately R $ 3,000.00

4. Interior architect

He is the professional who designs and furnishes the interior spaces of buildings, such as living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms. He chooses the furniture, the colours, the textures, the fabrics, the objects and the accessories which will make up the environment.

It also defines the lighting, ventilation and acoustics of the space. And tries to create comfortable, functional and aesthetic environments for its customers.

How much does an interior architect make?

Starting salary of BRL 2,900.00 per month.

5. Landscape architect

It is the professional who designs and creates outdoor spaces such as gardens, squares, parks, etc. He chooses the plants, flowers, stones, fountains and elements that will make up the landscape.

It also takes into account the climatic conditions, soil, water and biodiversity of the site, with the aim of creating green spaces that integrate with the architecture and urban planning.

What university do you go to to become an architect?

Do you want to become an architect? Then you must know what are the requirements to enter this career.

See what you need to do to become a qualified professional recognized by the market:

academic education: the first step is to make a boarding school of Architecture and urban planningwhich is a higher education course with an average duration of five years. In this course, you will learn the theoretical and practical foundations of architecture.

Skills and competencies: In addition to an academic background, you must possess certain personal and professional characteristics that will help you in your career, such as creativity, communication skills and leadership qualities.

Documentation: After graduation, you must register as an architect and/or urban planner with your state’s Council of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAU). The annual fee is approximately R $ 650.

As you can see, being an architect requires a comprehensive and diverse education. You need to study a lot, keep up to date and have a broad vision of architecture. Therefore, you will be able to develop projects that meet the needs of clients and society.

If you are interested in learning more about the career of an architect, visit Terra Educar. Here you will find other publications on this and other professions, with up-to-date and reliable information.

Source: Terra

You may also like