Best Practices
Definition of Architect Positions
From 2002 AIA Compensation Report: A Survey of U.S. Architecture Firms
The AIA collects and disseminates Best Practices as a service to AIA members without endorsement or recommendation.
Appropriate use of the information provided is the responsibility of the reader.
S E N I O R P R I N C I P AL / P AR T N E R
Typically an owner or majority shareholder of the firm;
may be the founder; titles may include president, chief
executive officer, or managing principal/partner.
M I D - L E V E L P R I N C I P AL / P AR T N E R
Principal or partner; titles may include executive or
senior vice president.
Licensed architect or non-registered graduate with 8-10
years of experience; responsible for significant aspects
of projects.
AR C H I T E C T / D E S I G N E R I I
Licensed architect or non-registered graduate with 6-8
years of experience, responsible for daily design or
technical development of projects.
AR C H I T E C T / D E S I G N E R I
J U N I O R P R I N C I P AL / P AR T N E R
Recently made a partner or principal of the firm; title
may include vice president.
Recently licensed architect or non-registered graduate
with 3-5 years of experience; responsible for particular
parts of a project within parameters set by others.
D E P AR T M E N T H E AD / S E N I O R M AN AG E R
T H I R D - Y E AR I N T E R N
Senior management architect or non-registered
graduate; responsible for major department(s) or
functions; reports to a principal or partner.
Unlicensed architecture school graduate in third year of
internship; develops design or technical solutions under
supervision of an architect.
P R O J E C T M AN AG E R
S E C O N D - Y E AR I N T E R N
Licensed architect or non-registered graduate with more
than 10 years of experience; has overall project
management responsibility for a variety of projects or
project teams, including client contact, scheduling, and
budgeting.
Unlicensed architecture school graduate in second year
of internship.
S E N I O R AR C H I T E C T / D E S I G N E R
Licensed architect or non-registered graduate with more
than 10 years of experience; has a design or technical
focus and is responsible for significant project activities.
ENTRY-LEVEL INTERN
Unlicensed architecture school graduate in first year of
internship.
T O O B T AI N T H E C O M P L E T E R E P O R T
2002 AIA Compensation Report: A Survey of U.S.
Architecture Firms can be ordered from the AIA
Bookstore, (800) 242-3837 (option 4), or online at
www.aia.org.
AR C H I T E C T / D E S I G N E R I I I
© 2003 The American Institute of Architects
BP 09.02.01 January 2003