The latest Future Trends Survey, published by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), shows a decrease of 3% in average earnings bringing the average salary in the UK to around £40,000. The largest fall in earnings is with sole principals, a quarter of whom are receiving less than £18,500 per annum. This is compared to principals in partnership who continue to average a salary of around £50,000.
According to the report, Architects earning the highest wages with an average salary of around £53,000 are working "in-house for private firms such as developers or other commercial groups." Reported unemployment has fallen to 2%, which is lower than in recent years.
The monthly survey is designed to "monitor the employment and business trends affecting the architectural profession throughout the period of economic downturn," the data from which is analyzed by both the RIBA and the Fees Bureau. It is a "representative sample of the range of different practice sizes and geographical locations" with 1,600 British Architects from 226 firms contributing.
According to Vince Nacey, Director of the Fees Bureau, "there are probably more smaller practices out there than the market can sustain." For sole principals, competition "is very fierce." Adrian Dobson, Director of Practice at the RIBA, is optimistic about the recent results suggesting that "there is a clear sense from a number of our members that the overall market for architect services is beginning to turn in a more positive direction."
Read the July 2013 report in full here (PDF).
References: RIBA, BDOnline, Fees Bureau
