Architectural Engineering Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Architectural Engineering Technology is a hands-on, technically grounded field focused on supporting the design, development, and implementation of built environments. Students gain practical expertise in applying engineering fundamentals to real-world construction and planning challenges, bridging the gap between architectural vision and structural feasibility.
- Design Testing Procedures: Learn systematic methods to evaluate architectural concepts for performance, safety, and compliance under real-world conditions.
- Building Site Analysis: Develop skills in assessing environmental, topographical, and regulatory factors that influence site suitability and project planning.
- Model Building and Computer Graphics: Master both physical and digital modeling techniques to visualize designs, communicate ideas, and support decision-making.
- Engineering Drawing: Gain proficiency in creating precise technical drawings and schematics essential for construction documentation and collaboration.
- Structural Systems Testing: Understand how to evaluate the strength, stability, and integrity of building frameworks using analytical and experimental approaches.
- Analysis of Prototype Mechanical and Interior Systems: Study the integration and performance of HVAC, plumbing, lighting, and interior components within building designs.
- Test Equipment Operation and Maintenance: Acquire practical knowledge in using, calibrating, and maintaining tools and instruments critical for accurate data collection and evaluation.
- Report Preparation: Build strong technical communication skills to document findings, present results, and support project development with clear, professional reports.
Architectural Engineering Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Architectural Engineering Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Architectural Engineering Technology degrees, including Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, Architectural and Civil Drafters and Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians. 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 236,090 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other 17-3029 | $77,390 | $47,010 - $114,630 | 64,410 | $37.21 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters 17-3011 | $64,280 | $44,040 - $98,190 | 109,550 | $30.90 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians 17-3022 | $64,200 | $43,550 - $97,840 | 62,130 | $30.86 |
Architectural Engineering Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $56,355 in South Dakota to $101,123 in District of Columbia—a 79% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 236,090 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 Engineering Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 74 institutions offering Architectural Engineering 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 Engineering Technology is found at Purdue University (PU), Main Campus (227 graduates), Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) (170 graduates), Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) (62 graduates), Ferris State University (FSU) (61 graduates), and Farmingdale State College (54 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,557 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
227 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
170 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
62 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Public | pikespeak.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
61 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| Farmingdale State College |
Bachelor's
|
54 | Farmingdale, New York | Public | farmingdale.edu |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
53 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Public | faytechcc.edu |
| Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
41 | Lakewood, Washington | Public | cptc.edu |
| Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
38 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | waketech.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
|
37 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| SUNY College of Technology (Alfred State) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
34 | Alfred, New York | Public | alfredstate.edu |
| Forsyth Technical Community College (Forsyth Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
34 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Public | forsythtech.edu |
| Columbus State Community College (CSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
34 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | cscc.edu |
| University of Hartford (UHart) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartford.edu |
| Ranken Technical College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
30 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | ranken.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| Coastal Carolina Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Jacksonville, North Carolina | Public | coastalcarolina.edu |
| Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) |
Associate's
|
25 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | ccp.edu |
| New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
25 | East Greenwich, Rhode Island | Private | neit.edu |
| Suffolk County Community College (SUNY) |
Associate's
|
24 | Selden, New York | Public | sunysuffolk.edu |
| Greenville Technical College (GTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Greenville, South Carolina | Public | gvltec.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Associate's
|
22 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Del Mar College (DMC) |
Associate's
|
22 | Corpus Christi, Texas | Public | delmar.edu |
| Madison Area Technical College |
Associate's
|
21 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
| Midlands Technical College (MTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | West Columbia, South Carolina | Public | midlandstech.edu |
| Seminole State College of Florida |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Sanford, Florida | Public | seminolestate.edu |
| Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange) |
Associate's
|
17 | Middletown, New York | Public | sunyorange.edu |
| Wilkes Community College (WCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Wilkesboro, North Carolina | Public | wilkescc.edu |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) |
Associate's
|
15 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | nwtc.edu |
| Front Range Community College (FRCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Westminster, Colorado | Public | frontrange.edu |
| Nashville State Community College (NSCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Nashville, Tennessee | Public | nscc.edu |
| Sandhills Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Pinehurst, North Carolina | Public | sandhills.edu |
| Northampton County Area Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
|
13 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Public | northampton.edu |
| Southeast Technical College (STC) |
Associate's
|
13 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Public | southeasttech.edu |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | southwest.tn.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
13 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Community College of Denver (CCD) |
Associate's
|
12 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ccd.edu |
| Delgado Community College |
Associate's
|
12 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | dcc.edu |
| Pitt Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Winterville, North Carolina | Public | pittcc.edu |
| Essex County College (ECC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Newark, New Jersey | Public | essex.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
11 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Northcentral Technical College (NTC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Wausau, Wisconsin | Public | ntc.edu |
| Western Technical College (WTC) |
Associate's
|
11 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | westerntc.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
|
10 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
| Pellissippi State Community College (PSTCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | pstcc.edu |
| Erie Community College (SUNY Erie) |
Associate's
|
9 | Buffalo, New York | Public | ecc.edu |
| Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | cfcc.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Master's
|
7 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| Arapahoe Community College (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Littleton, Colorado | Public | arapahoe.edu |
| University of the District of Columbia (UDC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Washington, District of Columbia | Public | udc.edu |
| Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) |
Associate's
|
7 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augustatech.edu |
| Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Troy, New York | Public | hvcc.edu |
| Durham Technical Community College (Durham Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Durham, North Carolina | Public | durhamtech.edu |
| Vermont State University (VTSU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
7 | Randolph, Vermont | Public | vermontstate.edu |
| Brightpoint Community College |
Associate's
|
7 | Chester, Virginia | Public | brightpoint.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Associate's
|
6 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| Massasoit Community College |
Associate's
|
6 | Brockton, Massachusetts | Public | massasoit.edu |
| Delta College |
Associate's
|
6 | University Center, Michigan | Public | delta.edu |
| Tarrant County College District (TCCD) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Fort Worth, Texas | Public | tccd.edu |
| Northwood Technical College (Northwood Tech) |
Associate's
|
6 | Rice Lake, Wisconsin | Public | northwoodtech.edu |
| East Central Community College (ECCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Decatur, Mississippi | Public | eccc.edu |
| NHTI-Concord's Community College (NHTI) |
Associate's
|
5 | Concord, New Hampshire | Public | nhti.edu |
| SUNY College of Technology (SUNY Delhi) |
Associate's
|
5 | Delhi, New York | Public | delhi.edu |
| North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) |
Associate's
|
5 | Wahpeton, North Dakota | Public | ndscs.edu |
| Onondaga Community College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Syracuse, New York | Public | sunyocc.edu |
| Norfolk State University (NSU) |
Associate's
|
4 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | nsu.edu |
| Mineral Area College (MAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | Park Hills, Missouri | Public | mineralarea.edu |
| Dutchess Community College (DCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Poughkeepsie, New York | Public | sunydutchess.edu |
| Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Canandaigua, New York | Public | flcc.edu |
| Triton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | River Grove, Illinois | Public | triton.edu |
| Green River College (GRC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Auburn, Washington | Public | greenriver.edu |
| Gateway Technical College |
Associate's
|
2 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Public | gtc.edu |
| Holmes Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | Goodman, Mississippi | Public | holmescc.edu |
| Coconino Community College (CCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | coconino.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Architectural Engineering Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Architectural Engineering Technology degree?
Salaries for Architectural Engineering Technology graduates vary by role and location. Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other earn a median of $77,390 annually, while Architectural and Civil Drafters earn around $64,280. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $101,123 compared to $56,355 in South Dakota. Approximately 236,090 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 Engineering Technology programs?
Currently 74 accredited institutions offer Architectural Engineering Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Purdue University (PU), Main Campus (227 graduates), Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) (170 graduates), and Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) (62 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 Engineering Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 2,012 in 2010 to 1,557 in 2023-24. This represents a 23% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Engineering Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, Architectural and Civil Drafters, and Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians. Related occupations employ approximately 236,090 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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