Architects
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Architects plan and design buildings, provide concepts, plans, specifications and detailed drawings, negotiate with builders and advise on the procurement of buildings.
Specialisations: Conservation or Heritage Architect.
A bachelor degree in architectural design is needed to work as an Architect. Many workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Tasks
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Obtains advice from clients and management to determine type, style and size of planned buildings and alterations to existing buildings.
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Provides information regarding designs, materials and estimated building times.
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Prepares project documentation, including sketches and scale drawings, and integrates structural, mechanical and aesthetic elements in final designs.
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Writes specifications and contract documents for use by builders and calls tenders on behalf of clients.
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Inspects construction work in progress to ensure compliance with plans, specifications and quality standards.
Characteristics
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University
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Practical
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Analytical
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Creative
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Enterprising
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Sedentary
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Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Architects and Landscape Architects, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 82% of people employed as Architects work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 16 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 45 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Architects work in the Professional, scientific and technical services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Architects | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 36.3 | 31.6 |
VIC | 31.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 14.7 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 8.6 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.6 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.3 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.8 | 1.9 |
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Around 88% of Architects live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria and New South Wales have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - Inner
- Sydney - City and Inner South
- Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby
- Brisbane Inner City
- Sydney - Eastern Suburbs.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Architects is 39 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 31% of the workforce. This is 17 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Architects | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 5.1 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 30.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 26.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 18.2 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 7.0 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 6.7 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 39 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor degree in architectural design is needed to work as an Architect. Many workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Registration or licencing is required.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Architects | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 36.4 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 56.1 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 4.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 0.4 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 2.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.1 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.0 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Architects and Landscape Architects who can communicate clearly, work well in a team and have strong interpersonal skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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66%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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66%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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64%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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63%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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63%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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61%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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61%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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59%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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59%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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59%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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59%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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59%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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55%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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54%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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54%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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52%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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50%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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50%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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48%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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46%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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90%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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82%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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73%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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72%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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68%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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64%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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63%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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62%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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62%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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62%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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61%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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59%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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59%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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57%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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56%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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54%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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53%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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51%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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50%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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47%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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73%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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70%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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70%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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70%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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66%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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66%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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64%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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63%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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63%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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63%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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61%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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61%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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61%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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61%
Working with numbersAdd, subtract, multiply, or divide.
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59%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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59%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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57%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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55%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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52%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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45%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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84%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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84%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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81%
Drafting, laying out, and specifying partsDetailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
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79%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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78%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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78%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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78%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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76%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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76%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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75%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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75%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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74%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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73%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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73%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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71%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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67%
Managing payments and ordersMonitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
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67%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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65%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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60%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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58%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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95%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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71%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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57%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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57%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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33%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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24%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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86%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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81%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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81%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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79%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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62%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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52%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
Demands
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100%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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99%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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98%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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93%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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89%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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89%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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87%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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87%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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87%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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86%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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81%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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81%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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81%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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78%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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77%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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73%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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69%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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67%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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67%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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66%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 17-1011.00 - Architects, Except Landscape and Naval.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.