Architectural Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Architectural Technology equips students with the technical expertise needed to support architectural design and documentation processes within professional practice. This program emphasizes the integration of design principles, construction science, and digital tools to produce accurate, code-compliant building plans and project deliverables.
- Architectural Drafting: Mastery of traditional and digital techniques for creating precise technical drawings that communicate spatial and structural details.
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and BIM: Proficiency in advanced software platforms for 2D drafting and 3D building information modeling to support design visualization and coordination.
- Construction Methods and Materials: In-depth understanding of modern building systems, material properties, and assembly techniques used in residential, commercial, and institutional structures.
- Environmental Systems: Study of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, as well as sustainable design strategies that influence building performance and occupant comfort.
- Building Codes and Standards: Training in local, national, and international regulations governing safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, and structural integrity.
- Structural Principles: Foundational knowledge of load-bearing systems, structural components, and their integration into architectural designs.
- Cost Estimation and Budgeting: Skills in analyzing project costs, estimating material and labor expenses, and supporting financial planning throughout the design and construction lifecycle.
- Planning Documentation: Development of comprehensive project documentation, including specifications, schedules, and construction administration materials.
- Visual Communication: Techniques for conveying design intent through sketches, renderings, diagrams, and presentations tailored to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Display Production: Creation of professional-quality models, posters, digital presentations, and exhibition materials for client reviews and public presentations.
- Architectural Office Management: Exposure to workflow organization, project scheduling, client coordination, and administrative practices essential for efficient practice operations.
Architectural Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Architectural Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Architectural Technology degrees, including Architectural and Civil Drafters. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 109,550 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters 17-3011 | $64,280 | $44,040 - $98,190 | 109,550 | $30.90 |
Architectural Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,060 in South Dakota to $88,430 in District of Columbia—a 67% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Alaska, and Colorado. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 109,550 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Architectural Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 66 institutions offering Architectural Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Architectural Technology is found at Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) (125 graduates), College of the Sequoias (COS) (90 graduates), City College of San Francisco (CCSF) (88 graduates), East Los Angeles College (ELAC) (84 graduates), and Orange Coast College (OCC) (65 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,273 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
125 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
90 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| City College of San Francisco (CCSF) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
88 | San Francisco, California | Public | ccsf.edu |
| East Los Angeles College (ELAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
84 | Monterey Park, California | Public | elac.edu |
| Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
65 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) |
Bachelor's
|
65 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | citytech.cuny.edu |
| Cerritos College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
45 | Norwalk, California | Public | cerritos.edu |
| Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
36 | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
| Ventura College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
34 | Ventura, California | Public | venturacollege.edu |
| Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
34 | Annandale, Virginia | Public | nvcc.edu |
| Rio Hondo College (RHC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
32 | Whittier, California | Public | riohondo.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
30 | Glendale, California | Public | glendale.edu |
| Texas State Technical College (TSTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | Waco, Texas | Public | tstc.edu |
| Cosumnes River College (CRC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Sacramento, California | Public | crc.losrios.edu |
| City Colleges of Chicago (HWC) |
Associate's
|
25 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | ccc.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Santa Monica College (SMC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
22 | Santa Monica, California | Public | smc.edu |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology |
Associate's
|
21 | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | Public | pct.edu |
| Palomar College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (TSCT) |
Associate's
|
20 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Public | stevenscollege.edu |
| Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) |
Associate's
|
19 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fsw.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
17 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| Chabot College (CC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Hayward, California | Public | chabotcollege.edu |
| Fresno City College (FCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
14 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnocitycollege.edu |
| Saddleback College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
14 | Mission Viejo, California | Public | saddleback.edu |
| Bakersfield College (BC) |
Associate's
|
13 | Bakersfield, California | Public | bakersfieldcollege.edu |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
13 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lattc.edu |
| MiraCosta College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
13 | Oceanside, California | Public | miracosta.edu |
| West Valley College (WVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Saratoga, California | Public | westvalley.edu |
| Cuesta College |
Associate's
|
11 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | cuesta.edu |
| St Petersburg College (SPC) |
Associate's
|
11 | St. Petersburg, Florida | Public | spcollege.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Associate's
|
11 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Public | grcc.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| El Camino Community College District (ECC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Torrance, California | Public | elcamino.edu |
| College of San Mateo (CSM) |
Associate's
|
9 | San Mateo, California | Public | collegeofsanmateo.edu |
| Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) |
Master's
|
9 | Los Angeles, California | Private | sciarc.edu |
| Joliet Junior College (JJC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Joliet, Illinois | Public | jjc.edu |
| Southwestern College (SWC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Chula Vista, California | Public | swccd.edu |
| Hillsborough Community College (HCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Tampa, Florida | Public | hccfl.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| Henry Ford College (HFC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | hfcc.edu |
| College of the Desert (COD) |
Associate's
|
7 | Palm Desert, California | Public | collegeofthedesert.edu |
| Los Angeles Pierce College (LAPC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Woodland Hills, California | Public | lapc.edu |
| San Joaquin Delta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Stockton, California | Public | deltacollege.edu |
| New Mexico State University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | dacc.nmsu.edu |
| Citrus College |
Associate's
|
6 | Glendora, California | Public | citruscollege.edu |
| Laney College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Oakland, California | Public | laney.edu |
| Long Beach City College (LBCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Long Beach, California | Public | lbcc.edu |
| San Diego Mesa College |
Associate's
|
6 | San Diego, California | Public | sdmesa.edu |
| Fullerton College |
Other Award
|
5 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullcoll.edu |
| Florida State College (FSCJ) |
Associate's
|
5 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | fscj.edu |
| Pensacola State College (PSC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Pensacola, Florida | Public | pensacolastate.edu |
| Lansing Community College (LCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Lansing, Michigan | Public | lcc.edu |
| Norco College |
Other Award
|
5 | Norco, California | Public | norcocollege.edu |
| College of Marin (COM) |
Associate's
|
4 | Kentfield, California | Public | marin.edu |
| San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | San Bernardino, California | Public | valleycollege.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| Community College of Denver (CCD) |
Associate's
|
3 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ccd.edu |
| Drury University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | drury.edu |
| Los Angeles Harbor College (LAHC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Wilmington, California | Public | lahc.edu |
| Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Valley Glen, California | Public | lavc.edu |
| Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Panama City, Florida | Public | gulfcoast.edu |
| City Colleges of Chicago |
Associate's
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | ccc.edu |
| Boston Architectural College (BAC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | the-bac.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Architectural Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Architectural Technology degree?
Salaries for Architectural Technology graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Civil Drafters earn a median of $64,280 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $88,430 compared to $53,060 in South Dakota. Approximately 109,550 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Architectural Technology programs?
Currently 66 accredited institutions offer Architectural Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) (125 graduates), College of the Sequoias (COS) (90 graduates), and City College of San Francisco (CCSF) (88 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Architectural Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 686 in 2010 to 1,273 in 2023-24. This represents a 86% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Architectural Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Civil Drafters. Related occupations employ approximately 109,550 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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