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