Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
Machines can already do 40% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 68%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 40% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 8% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2029, and 68% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 106,770 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $99,280 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 72% for contact with people.
- Also called: Architect, Architectural Designer, Design Architect, Planner.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools | 13% | 35% to 65% | |
| Develop final construction plans that include aesthetic representations of the structure or details for its construction | 10% | 38% to 70% | |
| Meet with clients to review or discuss architectural drawings | 6% | 30% to 54% | |
| Consult with clients to determine functional or spatial requirements of structures | 6% | 30% to 54% | |
| Plan layouts of structural architectural projects | 6% | 50% to 85% | |
| Prepare information regarding design, structure specifications, materials, color, equipment, estimated costs, or construction time | 6% | 76% to 96% | |
| Monitor the work of specialists, such as electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, interior designers, or sound specialists to ensure optimal form or function of designs or final structures | 6% | 10% to 27% | |
| Plan or design structures such as residences, office buildings, theatres, factories, or other structural properties in accordance with environmental, safety, or other regulations | 5% | 50% to 85% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills architects, except landscape and naval use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Environmental Engineers67% of tasks by 2035 · US median $107,110
- Landscape Architects63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $79,870
- Commercial and Industrial Designers65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $83,910
- Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $115,160
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Architects, Except Landscape and Naval?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2029. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of architects, except landscape and naval?
Machines can do 40% of the tasks of architects, except landscape and naval today and 68% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 17-1011.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Architects, Except Landscape and Naval: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/architects-except-landscape-and-naval/