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Cloud Infrastructure Architect, Cloud Solution Architect, IT Architect
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
*This NOC group is considered similar to the Cloud Architect occupation. Because this occupation is only similar to the NOC group, related details and labour market information may not be accurate.
Cloud computing is a network-based computing model. It provides on-demand access to shared or private resources and data over the internet. Cloud architects oversee the structure of cloud computer programs, and how they are used. They try to design applications that are:
They also understand traditional architecture. This helps them decide how to move systems from on-premise (non-cloud) to the cloud.
Cloud native (100% cloud-based) implementations are only one option that cloud architects use. Hybrid and multi-cloud implementations are becoming more common.
Cloud architects consult with business managers to make sure cloud designs meet business needs. They:
Cloud architects use their knowledge of on-premise, cloud, and hybrid application design to create, manage, and maintain the cloud. They:
Cloud architects act as consultants to their organization. They need to understand the organization’s business operations. They must stay up to date on the latest trends and issues. This can include participating in reviews and attending technology and product conferences.
Some cloud architects design an organization’s private cloud environment. They need to be familiar with open-source cloud software. They may also need to help design the supporting physical architecture.
In large organizations, these responsibilities might be split into multiple roles. Cloud architects may work with different departments in an organization. They work with a wide range of people such as:
Cloud architects may work in an office setting or from remote locations. They may work as staff, sometimes in shifts, or as private consultants from home. Overtime and on-call work is often required to meet deadlines or solve issues as they come up. Cloud architects may have to sit for long periods while using a computer.
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.
Software engineers and designers
2023 OaSIS: 21231.00
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:
Cloud architects need:
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 data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Cloud Architect occupation.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 88 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 30, 2021 and Oct 10, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 71 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Assess, document and optimize the capacity and performance of information and communication system networks | 64 |
| Tasks: Research, evaluate and integrate network system and data communication hardware and software | 60 |
| Tasks: Research, design, develop and integrate computer and telecommunications hardware | 56 |
| Construction Specialization: Initiative | 54 |
| Tasks: Analyze user's requirements, and design and develop system architecture and specifications | 53 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 50 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 49 |
| Tasks: Lead and co-ordinate teams of engineers, technologists, technicians and drafters in the design and development of computer and telecommunications hardware | 48 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 47 |
Most emerging occupations develop from more than one occupation. People working in this occupation may come from a variety of education and training backgrounds. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should contact associations and employers in this field to investigate education options and employment possibilities.
Some employers require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related discipline. However, many employers accept long-term skill and expertise in place of a degree. Some employers prefer IT professionals with at least 5 to 10 years on the job.
Employers consider vendor certifications and deep knowledge of specific products as assets. Examples include:
Cloud architects should have a broad knowledge of:
This is a rapidly changing field. Cloud architects must continuously upgrade their knowledge.
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:
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Cloud Architect occupation.
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.
Information systems professionals investigate, analyze, design, develop, or manage information systems based on computer and related technologies. They do so objectively applying specialized knowledge and professional judgement.
Information Systems Professional is a protected title under Alberta’s Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act [pdf]. This means that to call yourself an Information Systems Professional or use the I.S.P. designation, you must be a registered member of the Canadian Information Processing Society of Alberta (CIPS Alberta).
You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself an Information Systems Professional.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Information Systems Professional.
For information on certification in IT Architecture, see The Open Group website. This certification is voluntary but is considered highly valuable.
Depending on the job, employers may require applicants to be certified in areas such as:
Emerging occupations typically are the result of:
Often there are too few people working in an emerging occupation to gather survey information. Therefore, it can be difficult to define advancement opportunities or employment outlook. Some Albertans already are working in this emerging occupation, but future demand for it is unknown.
Cloud architects work for:
Most work in the IT department of large private or public sector organizations or are self-employed. Job openings are usually in major urban areas, where employers are often located.
Cloud architects can join user groups or special interest groups dedicated to the cloud for professional networking.
Those who have graduate degrees and many years of experience may move into management positions or become private consultants.
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.
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
2016 NOC: 2147*
77.0% of people in this occupational group work in:
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Cloud Architect occupation.
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.
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Cloud Architect occupation.
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:
Explore emerging workplace trends in Alberta that could affect this occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Cloud Architect occupation.
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.
Often there are too few people working in an emerging occupation to gather survey information. Therefore, no current provincial salary data is available for this occupation.
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.
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Cloud Architect occupation.
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 to supplement this data.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $20.00 | $70.96 | $45.33 | $40.87 |
| Overall | $24.43 | $103.37 | $53.42 | $49.23 |
| Top | $24.43 | $103.37 | $59.27 | $60.53 |
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 | $107,577 |
|---|
Canadian Information Processing Society of Alberta (CIPS Alberta) website: ab.cips.ca
Storage Network Industry Association website: www.snia.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. 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.
