How Can We Raise Architectural Salaries in the UK?

How Can We Raise Architectural Salaries in the UK?

This question has been looming over our heads for a long time now. Despite the profession's vocal concerns about low salaries for decades, we are still not closer to fixing it. It made me wonder why we are still talking about the same issue and why we haven’t found a solution. How is it possible that most architects earn just around £37.500 per year?

One reason we can’t ignore this problem for much longer is the significant cost of becoming an architectural professional through the university route. Coupled with the rising cost of living, house prices, and stagnant architectural salaries, working in the industry feels like a luxury and is becoming financially unsustainable.

Issues like supply vs demand, lack of awareness, low fees and increased overhead costs immediately come to mind. The more I thought about it, the more I realised there is no quick fix to this problem, but there are actions we could take to make it better.

Let's look at the key problems in more detail:

Supply vs. Demand

One of the most pressing issues in the architecture profession is the imbalance between supply vs. demand. Right now the ARB register shows approx. 41,240 registered Architects in the UK and this does not even include Architectural Technologists or Architectural Designers. We simply have too many architectural professionals and not enough new work to go around, which forces practices to undercut each other to win projects. This race to the bottom severely limits the revenue they can generate and, consequently, how much they can pay their employees.

Moreover, each year, thousands of new architectural graduates enter the job market, further increasing competition. According to RIBA Education Statistics 2021/2022, the numbers are as follows:

  • 3,500 Part 1 graduates
  • 1,900 Part 2 graduates
  • 1,750 Part 3 graduates

According to RIBA Education Statistics 2021/2022, the numbers are as follows:
3,500 Part 1 graduates
1,900 Part 2 graduates
1,750 Part 3 graduates
According to RIBA Education Statistics 2021/2022, 3,500 Part 1s passed their exams, 1,900 completed Part 2, and 1,750 did their Part 3.

The figures don’t show how many of them stayed within the profession, so this is only to provide an overview of how many graduates might be looking to gain work experience and how many would need support to complete their Part 3. This influx of new talent, while promising for the future, adds pressure on existing practices that are already struggling to secure enough work.?

The current landscape encourages a highly competitive environment where lower bids often win, rather than the best quality or most innovative design. This not only devalues the profession but also leads to lower wages and less job security for professionals.


Lack of Awareness

Architects are not just designers, they are crucial to ensuring the safety, functionality, and sustainability of buildings. Yet, the immense value and expertise they bring to every project are often overlooked. Clients see them as an unnecessary expense rather than a vital investment and might look for cheaper alternatives. This lack of awareness is a significant barrier to increasing fees and, consequently, salaries.?

So, how can the profession showcase the value and knowledge they bring? If they can’t advocate for themselves and explain why they charge what they charge, they might find themselves competing with other businesses who offer the service for cheaper - but at what cost to the client and public?

We need to highlight the critical role they play in project success - from navigating complex regulations to ensuring structural integrity and environmental sustainability.


Low Fees

The issue of low fees is tightly connected to supply vs. demand and the lack of awareness about the value an architectural practice brings. Practices must identify and articulate their unique selling points (USPs) to stand out in a crowded market. While many professionals believe that simply increasing fees could solve the problem of low salaries, it’s not that straightforward.

A practice can't increase its fees without effectively conveying the benefits and expertise it brings to a project. Clients need to understand why they should pay more for architectural services. This means improving communication about the value added through architects' and technologists' skills in design, safety, functionality, and sustainability.

It's not just about charging more, it's about demonstrating why higher fees are justified. This involves a comprehensive approach, including enhanced marketing efforts, advocating for the profession, not offering any work for free and a robust reputation built on quality and reliability.


Rising Overhead Costs

Running an architectural practice is not cheap, with the cost of living, software subscriptions and membership fees constantly rising. How can practices ensure they make enough profit to survive when a project is delayed or they fail to win a critical bid? This is a crucial time to reevaluate your current business model and identify which parts of the business are profitable and which are draining resources. It might be time to say no more often when you’re being asked to produce more drawings or do slight adjustments for free. Don’t forget time is money and if you’re trying to do too much in the same timeframe, something will have to give and you might make more errors, causing you to spend even more time on a task.?

I do think it would be valuable for everyone in the office to understand the business model and which parts make money and which don’t. That way everyone is on the same wavelength and you can all ensure to make the best use of your time.?


Possible Solutions

The issues mentioned above won’t be a quick fix, but there are steps we can take to improve the situation. First, establishing a fee guideline would set a baseline for fees and prevent undercutting. Practices must also agree to refrain from offering any free work - not even a single sketch. This agreement would uphold the value of professional services and discourage devaluation.

Moreover, stopping free competition is essential as it undermines the worth of the professional's work. Practices should be selective in accepting projects, focusing only on those that promise profitability and financial sustainability. Incorporating AI and other technological advancements can significantly improve efficiency and reduce operational costs, making higher salaries more viable.

Regular evaluation of business models is important, practices need to continuously assess and adjust their strategies to remain competitive. Finally, managing the influx of new graduates is necessary to balance the job market and reduce excessive competition. As for right now, there are too many architectural graduates and not enough open positions available.?


Conclusion

The good news is that things can change, but it won't happen overnight. Unless the whole profession sticks together - including the ARB, RIBA, and CIAT - more practices will have to shut their doors, more redundancies will occur, graduates will struggle to find jobs, and salaries will stagnate further. By implementing strategic changes and working together, the architectural community can create a more sustainable and financially rewarding industry. Change is possible, but it requires commitment and time.

Architecture is a beautiful profession, and you should be proud of yourselves. Why undersell your skills, knowledge, and expertise?

Russell Wood

Senior Architectural Technologist & BIM Coordinator

2 个月

at those beginner rates one really must want to not be an uber driver

David Driver

Architectural Technologist/ Designer.

2 个月

The disbanding of the fee scales some time ago, meant a race to the bottom and the profession has stayed there ever since.

Faizan Khan

Architect | Master's in Urban Infrastructure Planning and Management

2 个月

Very helpful!

Zainab Fatima

Freelance Architectural / Visual Designer

2 个月

Very informative! As an international graduate, navigating the high salary thresholds for visa requirements has made it clear that change is crucial to retain global talent within the industry.

Niccola Giannoni

Scultore e artigiano

2 个月

La vedo dura.????

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