Unveiling the Architect Salaries in India
Architects, the visionaries behind the structural landscapes we inhabit, hold a key position in shaping our environments. In India, the pursuit of architecture beckons individuals to embark on a journey blending creativity, technical prowess, and societal needs. A pivotal concern for aspiring architects often revolves around the starting point in this field and the potential financial prospects.
Initial Steps in Your Architectural Career
The path to becoming an architect in India commences post-high school. Aspiring minds delve into an array of courses, from BArch and Bachelor of Planning to MArch and MTech in Urban Planning. The educational landscape brims with notable institutions like IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, Parul University, NID, SPAs and an array of other esteemed colleges offering diverse architectural courses.
The Salary Canvas: A Mosaic of Opportunities, well not really in the start.
The canvas of salaries in the architectural sphere exhibits a spectrum, where the average salary rests at INR 7.2 LPA, while the pinnacle stretches to INR 40.2 LPA. Yet, the starting point for architects in India encompasses a range from 2.10 LPA, laying the foundation for a promising journey ahead. For an aspiring architect, the estimated monthly salary hovers between INR 53,766 to INR 56,106.
Charting the Trajectory: Experience, Designations, and Skills
Experience, as a guiding force, plays a significant role in sculpting the salary echelons for architects. Those with approximately 5 years of experience can anticipate earning up to INR 5 LPA. The landscape of designations unfurls a diverse panorama, from Junior Architects at 2.50 LPA to Principal Architects at 14 LPA.
Skills wield a substantial influence on the salary tapestry, with architecture itself commanding an average of 7.20 LPA, while specialized skills like Architectural Design, AutoCAD, and proficiency in languages such as Python, Java, and SQL contribute to the monetary terrain.
Educational Anchors and Company Constellations
The educational mooring also influences the architect’s earning potential. Those armed with full-time degrees tend to command higher salaries compared to their counterparts with shorter courses. Moreover, the recruitment ground hosts a myriad of companies, where names like Wipro, Cognizant, Bosch Global Software Technologies, and others shape the monetary landscape for architects.
Geographical Significance: City and Country Perspectives
The cities and countries in which architects ply their trade depict varying scales of remuneration. Bangalore stands tall with an average annual salary of 21.70 LPA, while the Indian architectural panorama extends to cities like Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, and New Delhi, each with its own pecuniary offerings. On a global scale, countries like the USA, UK, Germany, and Australia present architects with lucrative prospects.
Unveiling the Architectural Future
The journey for an architect in India embarks with a myriad of choices, from educational institutions to the diverse realms of skill sets and designations. The financial horizons, starting at 2.10 LPA, burgeon with experience, expertise, and geographic influence, painting a canvas of potential growth and opportunities in the architectural domain.
The architectural odyssey in India, colored by creativity, technical expertise, and societal engagement, invites aspirants into a realm where innovation and design converge to shape the future built environment.
Case Study #1 : Archgyan Founder’s Personal Journey
I’ve come a long way in the field of Architecture. This is my personal journey and it should give you a better idea of what to expect as an Architect in India. Let’s start with the very first experience you will get working as an Architect in India – The Internship
The Internship
I interned at a medium-sized Architecture firm back in 2014. I was paid a total sum of “ZERO” rupees per month. Now this was clear exploitation but I can’t complain, since I got this job through a recommendation and my portfolio wasn’t too great.
However, in general, interns are generally paid a range of Rs.1000 to Rs.5000 per month. Some generous firms also pay up to Rs.15000 per month but they’re difficult to find. I am assuming they’re still paid the same range to this date due to the lack of strong guidelines, rules and a council in India.
The First Job (Rs. 15,000 per month)
Fast forward to 2016, I landed my first job and I still remember how ecstatic I was. My mother assumed that I would start earning in lakhs but stark reality hit both of us pretty strongly. Junior Architects in India are paid abysmally and even to this date.
My first salary was Rs.15000 per month. The only brightside to this salary is that I didn’t have to file for taxes and I was also sometimes paid in cash. I was a bit dejected at first due to the low salary but I was compensated by working directly with the chief architect and gaining tremendous experience. Also, I was the only employee at the company at the time and was working out of the garage of my boss’s home. I understood every aspect that goes into building houses, apartments, commercial buildings and interiors of all scales. What I also learned that the main theme of all these projects were not the so-called “Concepts” we were taught in Architecture school, rather it was “Vastu”. You need to know vastu in-and-out to bag projects of all scales in India. Without this, you’re just doomed to fail.
After I gained enough experience, I knew it was time to move on. But not into Architecture, rather into “Stock Market Trading.” Yes, I left my job and architecture after about 1.5 years to try my hand in a career in Stock market trading. That didn’t work out too well, so I improved my portfolio and resume and quickly got a job thereafter in a renowned Architecture firm.
The Second Job (Rs. 22,000 per month)
Now, by the time I left my first job, I was earning about 25k INR per month. The reason for the hike was because my boss didn’t want me to leave and dramatically increased my salary without me asking. Nevertheless I left.
Now coming to the second job. Guess what? I got paid less than what I earned in my first job. I was introduced to the world of CTC (Cost to Company) and take away income. My CTC at the time was around 22k INR and in-hand I got about 19k INR. Some deductions was going to my provident fund and the rest I do not remember. I will come back to this blog and add the details if that piques your interest. Drop a comment and let me know if you’d like more information.
The firm was more structured and had many employees and I was designated to a team that handled larger projects and clients. I was happy with the overall experience, despite some weird rules and company culture. And worked for about a year.
During this time, I realized that working for an architecture firm and practicing only architecture was going to set me up for failure in all ways – financially, mentally, and physically. So I diversified and diversified I did. I started the Archgyan podcast and learned many new skills like Revit, Vray, and also some non-architectural skills like video editing, blogging, website design, and more. I would commute an hour to work in Bangalore traffic and reach the office by 9 am. And leave by 6.30 pm. And then head straight to Cafe Coffee Day (kudos to CCD’s Wifi) to work on my various ventures. I would watch LinkedIn learning videos (back then it was lynda.com) and upskill myself in all domains of architecture. By the time I reached home around 10pm, I was dead.
Also, I was overworked in this firm. There was times I used to work till mornings and hand over the GFCs (Good for Construction) documents to site. It was hell but all architects go through hell to become great ones. I don’t blame this exploitative and overworking culture as it gets ingrained to us in Architecture school where we work 48 hours straight to get our submissions done for jury.
I worked for a year and I knew I don’t want to be commuting two to three hours in traffic and hustling everyday. So I quit.
The Third Job (Rs.42,000 per month)
Now this third job is where I felt like my hard work paid off. It was a large MNC that outsourced work to India since labor was cheap as per international standards. And for us, that cheap salary is considered super-high.
I got a 3x jump in salary and my CTC was 42K INR per month. This was HUGE! My parents were happy and I was content too. But ambition got the better of me and I quit after 6 months.
Freelance (Back to Zero – Mentally)
Most Architects or even architecture students these days start freelancing early. But I was late to the game…
More info coming soon! Subscribe to our list to stay tuned 🙂
Conclusion: Nurturing Architectural Dreams
In the realm of architecture, aspiring minds bring forth a fusion of creativity, technical mastery, and an unwavering commitment to the betterment of society. The journey commences with educational choices and unfolds into a career path with promising financial prospects. The monetary landscape, reflecting an average salary of INR 7.2 LPA, paints a picture where the highest salary reaches INR 40.2 LPA. Yet, it’s crucial to remember that the journey is not just about the numbers but the profound impact architects have on our world.
Aspiring architects should embrace the educational opportunities available in institutions across India, each with its unique strengths. The path to becoming an architect is a transformative journey that demands dedication, creativity, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Experience, designations, skills, and education are crucial factors that shape an architect’s earning potential. This profession rewards those who continuously hone their craft and develop specialized skills. From the junior architect to the principal architect, each designation comes with its unique responsibilities and financial rewards.
The architectural landscape is not limited to India alone. It extends globally, offering architects the chance to work in diverse environments and cultures. While cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad offer attractive salaries, international opportunities beckon in countries like the USA, UK, Germany, and Australia.
In conclusion, the field of architecture is not just about constructing buildings; it’s about building a better future. Architects blend artistry and functionality to create structures that stand as testaments to human ingenuity. Aspiring architects should not just focus on the starting salary but the immense potential for growth, the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on society, and the chance to shape a better world.
So, if you’re drawn to the world of architecture, remember that your journey begins with a vision and a blueprint, but it unfolds into a canvas where creativity and innovation come together to shape the world we live in. Embrace the challenge, nurture your dreams, and set forth on a remarkable journey that transcends monetary gains, and ultimately, leaves a lasting mark on the architectural tapestry of India and the world.
If you’re interested in learning more about architecture firms in Europe, check out this comprehensive list of the top 50 firms compiled by Archgyan. From innovative startups to long-established industry leaders, this list has it all. Take a look and discover some of the most inspiring and influential architecture firms in Europe today.
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