Architects

(NOC 2151)

in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Architects design and advise clients about building projects. They develop sketches and construction drawings, estimate costs, write specifications, review on-site construction work, and provide design solutions to complex problems. They work for architectural firms, private corporations, and governments, or they may be self-employed. Architects may specialize in a construction like residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 35 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

  • Estimate 3410 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5690 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$23.06

Minimum

$32.74

Median

$49.63

Maximum

Annual Pay

$3,610

Minimum

$52,098

Median

$96,564

Maximum

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$34.90

Median

$54.10

Maximum

Annual Pay

$13,568

Minimum

$60,422

Median

$107,009

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Architects design and advise clients about building projects. They develop sketches and construction drawings, estimate costs, write specifications, review on-site construction work, and provide design solutions to complex problems. They work for architectural firms, private corporations, and governments, or they may be self-employed. Architects may specialize in a construction like residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional.

Job duties

Architects:

  • Consult with clients to determine the type, style and purpose of renovations or new building construction being considered.
  • Design buildings and develop plans describing design specifications, building materials, costs, and construction schedules.
  • Prepare sketches and models for clients.
  • Prepare or supervise the preparation of drawings, specifications, and other construction documents for use by contractors and tradespersons.
  • Prepare bidding documents, participate in contract negotiations, and award construction contracts.
  • Monitor activities on construction sites to ensure compliance with specifications.
  • Conduct feasibility studies and financial analyses of building projects.

Sample job titles

  • architect
  • architectural standards specialist
  • chief architect
  • consulting architect
  • industrial and commercial buildings architect
  • residential architect

Skills

  • The duties of an architect require a number of skills: design, technological, managerial, communication, and supervisory. Architectural studies require an understanding of individual and social needs, and knowledge of humanities, fine arts, and technology. Well-rounded personal and academic experience is helpful, as well as experience in drawing, craft, and computer applications. Architecture students often benefit from classes in fields like anthropology, art history, engineering, literature, mathematics, philosophy, and physics.

Job requirements

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited school of architecture or completion of the syllabus of studies from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC).
  • A master's degree in architecture may be required.
  • A three-year internship under the supervision of a registered architect is required.
  • Completion of the architect registration examination is required.
  • Registration with the provincial association of architects in the province of work is required.
  • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers.

Other considerations

  • Most architects are self-employed or work for small firms. Movement to senior positions like chief architect is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

275

employed in 2016

85.5%

employed full-time

25.5%

self employed

34.5%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
65.5%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
47.8

median age

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

25,875

employed in 2016

91.5%

employed full-time

7.6%

self employed

20.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
80%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
42.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

88.5%

Halifax

$52,024 median annual income
5.8%

North Shore

N/A
5.8%

Annapolis Valley

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

89.8%

Professional, scientific and technical services

10.2%

Public administration

What is the age of Employment?

28.0%

25-34

19.0%

45-54

19.0%

55-64

19.0%

65+

17.0%

35-44

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

24.2%

25-34

23.5%

45-54

23.4%

35-44

16.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

50.9%

Master

$52,016 median annual income
34.5%

Bachelor

$46,071 median annual income
9.1%

Diploma Above Bachelor

N/A
3.6%

Diploma Below Bachelor

N/A
3.6%

College Diploma

N/A

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

33.1%

College Diploma

$59,986 median annual income
29.8%

Bachelor

$63,965 median annual income
11.9%

High school

$45,835 median annual income
9.9%

Master

$65,105 median annual income
6.9%

Trade Certification

$57,773 median annual income

Education & training

Architecture (BArch, BA/BSc, MArch, MA/MSc, PhD)

University Program

These programs prepare students for the independent professional practice of architecture and to conduct research in various aspects of the field or that provides instruction in principles, methods and concepts related to architecture. They include courses in architectural design, history, and theory, building structures and environmental systems, project and site planning, construction, professional responsibilities and standards, and related cultural, social, economic, and environmental issues.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Sustainability Studies

University Program

These programs focus on the concept of sustainability from an interdisciplinary perspective. They include courses in sustainable development, environmental policies, ethics, ecology, landscape architecture, city and regional planning, economics, natural resources, sociology, and anthropology.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Architect

Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional licence. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Association of Architects
Halifax, NS

Contacts

Canadian Home Builder's Association Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
Urban Development Institute of Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
Engineers Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
Construction Association of Nova Scotia
Dartmouth, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.