Career Overview
Architects conceive, plan and develop designs for the construction and renovation of commercial, institutional and residential buildings.
Architects work for architectural firms, private corporations and governments, or they may be self-employed.
Job Titles
Duties
In general, architects:
- Conceive and design buildings and develop plans describing design specifications, building materials, costs and construction schedules
- Consult with clients to determine type, style and purpose of renovations or new building construction
- Prepare sketches and models for clients
- Prepare or oversee 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
- Carry out feasibility studies and financial analyses of building projects
Architects focus their practice on a type of building (residential, commercial, industrial or institutional) or in a type of construction, such as sustainable or pre-fabrication.
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
3,510% Employed Full Time
75%Work in this field is typically performed in an office or studio, although some time may be spent on site visits.
Career Pathways
Promotion to senior positions, such as principal or partner, is possible with experience.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
There are different pathways to become an architect in B.C., depending on education and experience. The most common path is to:
- Complete a Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) accredited architectural degree program; or complete a non-accredited program of study in architecture that has been certified as equivalent by the CACB; or complete the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Syllabus Diploma in Architecture
- Complete a multi-year internship under the supervision of a registered architect
- Pass the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC)’s oral examination and complete the Examination for Architects in Canada (EXaC)
- Apply to the AIBC to become an “Architect AIBC”
Some employers may also require:
- Experience with different building types/projects
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification as offered by the Canada Green Building Council
If you are an architect registered outside B.C. or have previous architectural experience, there are additional pathways to become an architect in B.C. For more information on Mutual Recognition Agreements and alternative qualifications, visit the AIBC website.
Architects who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.
For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.
Contact the Architectural Institute of British Columbia for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.
For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.
View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Architecture

Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Analyzing operational and product needs to create a design.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
3,510Employment by Region
Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
---|---|---|
Cariboo | 10 | 0.3% |
Kootenay | 45 | 1.3% |
Mainland/Southwest | 2,955 | 84.2% |
North Coast and Nechako | 15 | 0.4% |
Northeast | 0 | 0.0% |
Thompson-Okanagan | 145 | 4.1% |
Vancouver Island/Coast | 340 | 9.7% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
1,720Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
---|---|---|
Cariboo | Not available | Not available |
Kootenay | 20 | 0.9% |
Mainland/Southwest | 1,360 | 2.1% |
North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
Northeast | Not available | Not available |
Thompson-Okanagan | 110 | 3.1% |
Vancouver Island/Coast | 220 | 1.8% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
---|---|
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 1,580 |
Construction | 80 |
Public Administration | 20 |
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 10 |
Retail Trade | 10 |
Insights from Industry
The demand for architects has been steadily growing over the past several years in B.C., particularly in regions outside Metro Vancouver.
The role of architects is constantly adapting and innovating in response to updated building code requirements and societal/governmental expectations around climate change, urbanization, technology and accessibility.
New graduates receive their education from accredited schools of architecture in Canada and internationally. About one third of intern architects in B.C. are internationally educated.
Resources
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Architectural Institute of British Columbia – Become an Architect AIBCaibc.ca/registration/become-an-architect-aibc/
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Architectural Institute of British Columbia – Careers & Classifiedswww.aibc.ca/membersite/member-services/careers-classified
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British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA)www.bccassn.com
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Canadian Architectwww.canadianarchitect.com
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Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB)www.cacb.ca
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Canadian Design-Build Institute (CDBI)www.cdbi.org
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Examination for Architects in Canadawww.exac.ca/en/
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Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC)roac.ca/
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Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) – British Columbia Chapterraic.org/chapters/bc