by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 63 U.S. colleges awarded 1,217 degrees and certificates in Architectural Technology/Technician. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 48% of graduates. College Factual ranks 35 schools in its 2027 Best Architectural Technology/Technician Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $55,741 one year after completing, rising to $74,396 after four years.
Studying Architectural Technology/Technician explores Architectural Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Assist Architects In Developing Plans And Related Documentation And In Performing Architectural Office Services. Includes Instruction In Architectural Drafting, Computer-Assisted Drafting And Design, Construction Methods And Materials, Environmental Systems, Building Codes And Standards, Structural Principles, Cost Estimation, Planning Documentation, Visual Communication Skills, Display Production, And Architectural Office Management.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, architectural technology/technician is a widely-pursued major, with 1,217 degrees awarded annually. 63 colleges award architectural technology/technician degrees, an average of 19 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 152.
By level, the 1,217 awards include 126 certificates, 588 associate degrees, 96 bachelor’s degrees and 407 master’s degrees.
Women earned 46% of architectural technology/technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (555 of 1,217). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (624) and White (307), and international students earned 66.
College Factual ranks 35 schools in its 2027 Best Architectural Technology/Technician Schools ranking, including 29 for associate degrees and 3 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks architectural technology/technician schools within 3 states. In all, 63 colleges offer architectural technology/technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common architectural technology/technician credential is the associate degree: 588 of the 1,217 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to architectural technology/technician call most for Reading Comprehension, Systems Analysis and Complex Problem Solving, and for knowledge of Design, Building and Construction and Engineering and Technology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Visualization, Oral Comprehension and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an architectural technology/technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 126 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 588 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 96 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 407 |
1 occupations are related to Architectural Technology/Technician, with an average median salary of $82,779; the strongest outlook belongs to Architectural and Civil Drafters, at 13.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Architectural CAD Drafter (Architectural Computer-Aided Design Drafter), Land Development Civil Engineer, Computer-Aided Design Drafter (CAD Drafter) and CADD Operator (Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Operator).
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to architectural technology/technician, at 114,684.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | 114,684 | 13.5% |
Architectural Technology/Technician graduates earn a median $55,741 one year after completing their program, $74,396 after four years and $73,273 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,741 |
| 4 years | $74,396 |
| 5 years | $73,273 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to architectural technology/technician, with a median salary of $82,779.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $82,779 |
Architectural Technology/Technician has 2 similar majors in the Architecture/Urban Planning field, which together award 9,120 degrees a year; the largest are Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology (9,106) and Architectural Sciences and Technology, Other (14). Browse all Architecture/Urban Planning majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology | 9,106 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology, Other | 14 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
