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In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Architects meet with clients to discuss their needs and desires. They visit proposed building sites, analyze their requirements, and review land-use bylaws as well as other codes and regulations. They work with construction companies on costs, construction schedules, and site supervision. Architects also develop concept sketches of proposed designs for presentation to clients. This results in presentation drawings that include site plans, perspective drawings, models, and videos.
With a client’s approval of the design and budget, architects finish developing the design and move on to creating construction documents. These documents, created on a computer, include:
When architects plan layouts, they consider how site requirements relate to interior, structural, electrical, and mechanical systems in terms of placement and space. They account for building codes and regulations and their influence on layout. They recommend ways to maximize sustainability and energy efficiency, including the operation and maintenance of the finished structure.
Architects estimate construction costs using information from building contractors or cost consultants. They may also consult with:
Architects frequently meet with clients to:
Architects also may prepare reports, such as land-use studies, and take part in fulfilling long-range plans for land development.
Architectural firms invest time in marketing their services to potential clients to ensure they have a steady and growing workload. This includes networking and developing a wide range of promotional material.
Some architects specialize in:
Individual architects or architectural firms may focus on designing specific types of buildings. These could include:
Architects spend much of their time in offices, communicating with clients and consultants, and working with colleagues. At times, they visit building sites to do construction administration (managing the contract between owner and builder).
Some architects take on very large projects. Others work on smaller projects. On all projects, architects work closely with the users.
Architects have a wide range of opportunities all over the world.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Architects
2023 OaSIS: 21200.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Architects need:
They should enjoy synthesizing information and developing innovative designs. They should be at ease working with people on precision tasks.
If self-employed, architects must also be good business managers.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 29 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 13, 2022 and Oct 03, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Monitor activities on construction sites to ensure compliance with specifications | 18 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Consult with clients to determine the type, style and purpose of renovations or new building construction being considered | 18 |
| Tasks: Conceptualize and design buildings and develop plans describing design specifications, building materials, costs and construction schedules | 17 |
| Tasks: Prepare sketches and models | 16 |
| Tasks: Project management | 16 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Membership in the Provincial Association of Architects | 13 |
| Tasks: Conduct feasibility studies and financial analyses of building projects | 12 |
| Green Job: Involves duties and responsibilities that lead to positive environmental outcomes | 11 |
| Attention to detail | 10 |
| Tasks: Architectural research | 10 |
The minimum educational requirement is either a bachelor of architecture degree or a professional master of architecture degree. At this time, the master of architecture degree is the only degree offered by Canadian schools of architecture. The University of Calgary currently provides the only professional program in Alberta. The accreditation of professional programs in Canada is managed by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB). For the current list of professional programs in Canada, visit the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) website.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Architects design buildings and advise clients regarding building projects. They prepare programs, sketches, and cost estimates. They also produce construction drawings to scale, write specifications, and review on-site construction work.
Under Alberta’s Architects Act [pdf] and Architects Act General Regulation [pdf], registration with the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA) is mandatory. Only registered members may:
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Architect.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Architects may be self-employed or employed by:
Registered architects may become project architects or specialize in other areas of the industry. With experience, architects may move into project design or construction supervision and contract administration. They may have the opportunity to become associates or partners in larger firms. Some architects teach in post-secondary schools. Others do research or move into careers as writers or critics.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Architects
2016 NOC: 2151
80.6% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
As of February 2021, there were 1,653 architects actively registered with the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA) to practise in the province.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $27.69 | $43.27 | $36.08 | $38.46 |
| Overall | $37.79 | $61.54 | $47.05 | $47.03 |
| Top | $46.15 | $65.80 | $59.77 | $62.50 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $93,732 |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $92,187 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $135,610 |
| Public Administration | $121,953 |
Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) website: cacb.ca
Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) website: raic.org
Alberta Association of Architects (AAA) website: www.aaa.ab.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 17, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
