by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Architectural Engineering Technology involves the study of Architectural Engineering Technologies/technicians. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Architects, Engineers And Planners Engaged In Designing And Developing Buildings, Urban Complexes, And Related Systems. Includes Instruction In Design Testing Procedures, Building Site Analysis, Model Building And Computer Graphics, Engineering Drawing, Structural Systems Testing, Analysis Of Prototype Mechanical And Interior Systems, Test Equipment Operation And Maintenance, And Report Preparation. Read on to learn the key facts every architectural engineering technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering architectural engineering technology programs.
Nationwide, architectural engineering technology is a popular field of study, with 1,557 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Architectural Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 74 schools to determine the best overall colleges for architectural engineering technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of architectural engineering technology programs later in this article.
Studies in Architectural Engineering Technology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations architectural engineering technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a architectural engineering technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a architectural engineering technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several architectural engineering technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 21 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 645 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 412 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 472 |
People currently working in careers related to architectural engineering technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 34.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 24.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 13.4% |
| Some college courses | 12.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 11.8% |
| Master’s degree | 1.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in architectural engineering technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in architectural engineering technology opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to architectural engineering technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to architectural engineering technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 261,905 | 11.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | 114,684 | 13.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of architectural engineering technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $62,677 |
| 4 years | $63,449 |
| 5 years | $65,836 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for architectural engineering technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers architectural engineering technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,216 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $82,779 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
With 74 different architectural engineering technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased architectural engineering technology school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
