Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Reviews
71% would recommend to a friend
(571 total reviews)
Managing Partners
76% approve of CEO
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Found 571 of over 676 reviews
Updated Nov 30, 2023
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What people are saying about Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
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Top Review Highlights by Sentiment
Excerpts from user reviews, not authored by Glassdoor
- "Old school hierarchy, working long hours, low pay compared to other firms, etc. Partners & principals seemed unapproachable." (in 14 reviews)
Ratings by Demographics
This rating reflects the overall rating of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and is not affected by filters.
- 5.0FEATURED REVIEWJun 20, 2023Marketing SpecialistCurrent EmployeeChicago, IL
Pros
A leader in the industry, SOM offers working on exciting projects around the world. The people here, for the most part, are brilliant
Cons
It is expected you can engage in critical thinking, be independent and resourceful, and give it your all.
- 5.0Oct 15, 2023ArchitectCurrent Employee
Pros
Healthy environment, qualified people, interesting projects
Cons
Low pay, but it's rather about architecture in general
- 3.0Nov 5, 2023Architectural Designer Level EFormer Employee, less than 1 yearSan Francisco, CA
Pros
There are many resources at SOM. Firm offers Amberbook. Other perks and benefits, such as health advocates to manage your healthcare. Free admission to Moma museums. upper management is supportive and willing to help. The projects are very large and reputable. Firm encourages you to speak.
Cons
Company hires and terminate employees frequently. They make judgements base on things such as appearance, personality etc. management won’t tell you how they made the decision on terminating you. Currently using UHC which isn’t one the best healthcare insurance anymore. Approve for medication can be very difficult.
- 2.0Nov 30, 2023ArchitectFormer Employee, more than 5 yearsChicago, IL
Pros
Work with a group of really talented people Good Projects Exposure to great responsibility and heavily involved in project develoment Support in Research Projects
Cons
Long working hour Poor Work/Life Balance Poor project management
- 3.0Nov 26, 2023ArchitectCurrent Employee, more than 3 yearsNew York, NY
Pros
Good place to learn from some of the best minds in the industry with remarkable projects
Cons
long hours. benefits are just okay.
- 3.0Nov 16, 2023DesignerCurrent Employee, more than 3 yearsChicago, IL
Pros
have strong competence in highrise building design, could help new grads to learn skill rapidly through one to two projects.
Cons
not very good work-life balance.
- 4.0Nov 20, 2023DesignerCurrent EmployeeSan Francisco, CA
Pros
Great people and fun projects
Cons
Projects can get very intense
- 4.0Nov 17, 2023Intermediate DesignerFormer EmployeeSan Francisco, CA
Pros
good project good people overall
Cons
Technical growth is slow pay is not great
- 1.0Nov 4, 2023Structural EngineerFormer Employee, more than 1 yearLos Angeles, CA
Pros
Not a good and respectful environment
Cons
Too competitive environment with no benefits
- 5.0Sep 5, 2023AssociateCurrent Employee, more than 8 yearsNew York, NY
Pros
Worked with the smartest people in the industry and around the world. Great collaborative environment.
Cons
Long hours, a lot of hard work. It pays off in some ways.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Reviews FAQs
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill has an overall rating of 3.7 out of 5, based on over 676 reviews left anonymously by employees. 71% of employees would recommend working at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to a friend and 67% have a positive outlook for the business. This rating has improved by 1% over the last 12 months.
71% of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews. Employees also rated Skidmore, Owings & Merrill 2.8 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.8 for culture and values and 3.8 for career opportunities.
According to reviews on Glassdoor, employees commonly mention the pros of working at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to be culture, benefits, career development and the cons to be senior leadership, management, work life balance.
