jobfacts

Architectural technologist

Chartered architectural technologists, planning officers and consultants — SOC 2020 2452

Chartered architectural technologists, planning officers and consultants direct or undertake the planning of the layout and the co-ordination of plans for the development of urban and rural areas, provide architectural design services, and negotiate and manage the development from conception to completion of construction projects and lead on a variety of technical functions and solutions in the design of buildings and the layout of urban and rural areas.

Also calledBuilding technologistTown plannerPlanning officerSpatial plannerUrban designerPlannerand 19 more titles
Typical full-time pay£36,5002025 Provisional
People in the job52,000across the UK
Demand for workersElevated
New adverts a month1,000↑ 3.3%on last year · 189th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025
What full-time architectural technologists earn, 2025
£36,500 typical£28,600lowest 20%n/ptop 10%
n/p: top 10% not published by ONS
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less thanNot published
Lowest 20% earn less than£28,600
25%£29,600
Median£36,500
75%Not published
Top 20% earn more thanNot published
Top 10% earn more thanNot published
Typical pay by regionUK median £36,500
West Midlands!£36,600
Wales!£36,200
North EastNot published by ONS–
North WestNot published by ONS–
Yorkshire and The HumberNot published by ONS–
East MidlandsNot published by ONS–
East of EnglandNot published by ONS–
LondonNot published by ONS–
South EastNot published by ONS–
South WestNot published by ONS–
ScotlandNot published by ONS–
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £36,500
West Midlands£36,600 (small sample)
Wales£36,200 (small sample)
North EastNot published by ONS
North WestNot published by ONS
Yorkshire and The HumberNot published by ONS
East MidlandsNot published by ONS
East of EnglandNot published by ONS
LondonNot published by ONS
South EastNot published by ONS
South WestNot published by ONS
ScotlandNot published by ONS
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £36,400
  • 2024 £35,900
  • 2025 Provisional£36,500
↑ 0% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 1,000 jobs for architectural technologists are advertised each month. The Department for Education rates demand for workers as elevated.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (3 in all)
Show as table
Aug 20261,186
Jul 2026922
Jun 20261,074
May 2026955
Apr 2026875
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 2026946
Jan 20261,107
Dec 2025723
Nov 20251,063
Oct 20251,174
Sept 20251,157
Aug 20251,013
Jul 2025Not published
Jun 2025Not published
May 20251,439
Apr 2025896
Mar 20251,132
Feb 20251,334
Jan 2025997
Dec 2024668
Nov 2024757
Oct 2024877
Sept 2024911
Aug 2024892
Jul 2024909
Jun 2024801
May 2024935
Apr 2024893
Mar 2024943
Feb 2024920
Jan 20241,055
Dec 2023853
Nov 2023967
Oct 2023950
Sept 2023985
Aug 2023950
Jul 20231,018
Jun 20231,355
May 20231,277
Apr 20231,017
Mar 20231,183
Feb 20231,118
Jan 20231,270
Dec 2022975
Nov 20221,308
Oct 20221,243
Sept 20221,136
Aug 20221,287
Jul 20221,111
Jun 20221,267
May 20221,246
Apr 20221,079
Mar 20221,198
Feb 20221,134
Jan 20221,487
Dec 20211,040
Nov 20211,066
Oct 20211,135
Sept 20211,149
Aug 20211,254
Jul 20211,424
Jun 20211,228
May 20211,322
Apr 20211,263
Mar 20211,524
Feb 2021952
Jan 20211,020
Dec 2020833
Nov 2020885
Oct 2020896
Sept 2020753
Aug 2020673
Jul 2020709
Jun 2020481
May 2020351
Apr 2020646
Mar 20201,143
Feb 20201,362
Jan 20201,246
Dec 2019880
Nov 20191,212
Oct 20191,287
Sept 20191,248
Aug 20191,255
Jul 20191,450
Jun 20191,458
May 20191,248
Apr 20191,009
Mar 20191,284
Feb 20191,185
Jan 20191,482
Dec 2018915
Nov 20181,242
Oct 20181,194
Sept 20181,171
Aug 20181,048
Jul 20181,049
Jun 20181,053
May 20181,115
Apr 20181,026
Mar 20181,083
Feb 2018959
Jan 20181,038
Dec 2017758
Nov 2017984
Oct 2017961
Sept 2017887
Aug 2017979
Jul 2017934
Jun 20171,136
May 20171,283
Apr 20171,230
Mar 20171,191
Feb 2017928
Jan 20171,073
Is there a shortage of architectural technologists?
Elevated

The Department for Education rates demand as not high, elevated or critical, using five indicators. This is its 2025 assessment; in 2024 it was not high.

  • Visas grantedAbove usual
  • Online job advertsAbove usual
  • Wage growthAbove usual
  • Pay against similar jobsUsual
  • Hours workedAbove usual
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
50%against 27% for all jobs
Broader groupFigure for architects, chartered architectural technologists, planning officers, surveyors and construction professionals, which includes architectural technologists. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London417
Manchester146
Birmingham137
Bristol, City of108
Leeds80
Cardiff78
Nottingham58
Newcastle upon Tyne53
Glasgow City47
Gloucester46
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where architectural technologists are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. 57 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026, most to people from Italy, India, Egypt, ranking it 126th of 313. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
Age of architectural technologists
n/p
35%!
28%!
20%!
12%!
n/p
!Small sample: treat with cautionn/p: too few in the survey to publish
Show as table
16–24Not published
25–3435% (small sample)
35–4428% (small sample)
45–5420% (small sample)
55–6412% (small sample)
65+Not published
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent82%
Higher education below degree!6.9%
A levels or equivalent!11%
GCSEs or equivalent!4.3%
Other qualifications–
Not published
No qualifications–
Not published
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent82%
Higher education below degree6.9% (small sample)
A levels or equivalent11% (small sample)
GCSEs or equivalent4.3% (small sample)
Other qualificationsNot published
No qualificationsNot published

Main employers: architectural activities (29%), general public administration activities (28%), construction of residential and non-residential buildings (13%), construction of other civil engineering projects nec (7.8%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
82%
as their highest qualification
Registration
Royal Town Planning Institute
required for some roles: Royal Town Planning Institute
Apprenticeships
2
from level 4, including degree apprenticeships
Apprenticeships take
2 to 5 years
typically

Routes in

Architectural technologist

You can get into this job through:

University

You can do a degree or postgraduate course like architectural technology or architectural design and technology, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).

Employers may also accept a foundation degree, or higher national certificate or diploma in a similar subject.

If you choose the non-degree route, you'll need to demonstrate you have the right skills and knowledge, if you want to become a member of CIAT at a later stage.

Some courses may include a 12-month industry placement. This is a good way to get practical experience and make contacts, which may help when looking for work after completing your studies.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Apprenticeship

You could apply for an apprenticeship, which would give you some of the relevant skills and knowledge needed for this job. It could also act as a stepping stone onto further training to qualify.

The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) approves the following:

  • Digital Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Construction Design and Build Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Design and Construction Management Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These apprenticeships take between 3 and 4 years to complete, and are a mix of training on the job and off-site study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work your way up

Employers may take you on as a trainee if you have 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and 2 A levels, in subjects like maths, science, IT and technology.

They might accept equivalent qualifications in engineering or construction, for example the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment. Courses in 3D design could also be useful.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

Experience in computer-aided design or working in the construction industry could help you get into this career.

Professional and industry bodies

When you've completed an approved course you can apply for associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.

Further information

You'll find more details about becoming an architectural technologist through the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for architectural technologist. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Town planner

You can get into this job through:

University

You can study for a degree or a postgraduate qualification accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Subjects include:

  • planning, environment and development
  • city and regional planning
  • geography and planning
  • urban planning and property development

You can do postgraduate qualification in planning if you have a degree in an unrelated subject.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Chartered Town Planner Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.

This can take around 5 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and study at university. Contact apprenticeship training providers for details.

Entry requirements

Most people following this route have:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Other ways in

Work your way up

You could start as a town planning assistant with an organisation and take further training while you work.

You'll need the backing of your employer and you'll combine practical experience with part-time or distance learning study towards an accredited planning qualification.

Volunteering

You'll find it useful to get as much work experience as possible. This will give you a better understanding of the career, and the contacts you make may help you to find paid work.

You can search for companies listed by the Royal Town Planning Institute or contact your local council to ask about opportunities.

Registration and professional bodies

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Royal Town Planning Institute for networking, events and professional development training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in town planning from the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for town planner. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Apprenticeships

2 for this job

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • analyses information to establish the nature, extent, growth rate and likely development requirements of the area
  • examines and evaluates development proposals, consults statutory bodies and other interested parties to ensure that local interests are catered for and recommends acceptance, modification or rejection drafts and presents graphic and narrative plans affecting the use of public and private land, housing and transport facilities
  • develops construction project briefs and design programmes and advises clients on methods project procurement, environmental, regulatory, legal and contractual issues and assesses environmental impact
  • monitors compliance with design, statutory, and professional requirements, administers contracts and certification, carries out design stage risk assessments and manages health and safety
  • evaluates and advises on refurbishment, recycling and deconstruction of buildings
  • prepares designs, building plans and drawings for use by contracts and investigates proposed design with regard to practicality, cost and use
  • surveys land uses and prepares report for planning authority and issues development permits as authorised
  • liaises with engineers and building contractors regarding technical construction problems and attends site meetings, as the lead consultant or as part of the team.
  • provides expert advice on issues related to planning and development, including practical, regulatory, legal and statutory matters
  • Chartered architectural technologists specialise in design, underpinned by building science, engineering and technology applied to architecture within projects.

Skills

  • advise on architectural matters
  • advise on use of land
  • execute feasibility study
  • liaise with local authorities
  • provide technical expertise
  • study traffic flow
  • advise architects
  • advise on building matters
  • conduct land surveys
  • promote sustainability
  • analyse environmental data
  • analyse road traffic patterns
  • analyse test data
  • analyse transportation costs

Knowledge

  • environmental policy
  • urban planning
  • architecture regulations
  • building codes
  • civil engineering
  • topography
  • urban planning law
  • zoning codes

Suits people who like

  • Working with ideas and solving problems
  • Practical, hands-on work

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for business, media and public service professionals, a group of 32 jobs that includes architectural technologists.
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↑ 26%about 670,000 more jobs
Workers needed by 20352.1 millionincluding people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

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