The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) is the representative body for professionally-qualified architects in Ireland with 2,600 members, 62 per cent of whom are employees and 38 per cent are principals or partners in private practice.
Membership of the RIAI has grown rapidly over recent years, increasing from approximately 2,000 in 2001 to its present level of 2,600. It is estimated that there are a further 1,200 practising as architects in Ireland, including many with no formal qualifications.
Most architects work in the private sector, in some 550 architectural firms. Many of these are small, employing fewer than three architects.
Architects are also employed in local authorities, the Office of Public Works, and in educational institutions.
Architects' salaries in the private sector range from around €40,000 to €80,000, though partners would also receive a share of the profits.
Within the public sector, salaries range from approximately €31,000 at entry level up to €116,000 for a principal architect.
A survey carried out for the RIAI in the period 2001 to 2004 found that the average fee charged for house extensions varied from 12.5 per cent for projects costing €50,000 to just under 10 per cent for construction projects with an estimated building cost of €1 million.
