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The average architect salary in Canada is $75,000-$110,000 per year. This guide breaks down architect pay by province, firm type, and experience level.
Architect Salary by Province
| Province | Intern | Licensed | Principal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $55,000 | $95,000 | $150,000 |
| British Columbia | $58,000 | $98,000 | $155,000 |
| Alberta | $60,000 | $100,000 | $160,000 |
| Quebec | $50,000 | $85,000 | $130,000 |
| Saskatchewan | $52,000 | $88,000 | $135,000 |
| Manitoba | $50,000 | $85,000 | $130,000 |
| Nova Scotia | $48,000 | $80,000 | $120,000 |
| New Brunswick | $46,000 | $78,000 | $115,000 |
| Newfoundland | $50,000 | $82,000 | $125,000 |
| PEI | $45,000 | $75,000 | $110,000 |
Salary by Experience Level
| Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Intern Architect (0-3 years) | $50,000-$65,000 |
| Junior Architect (3-5 years) | $65,000-$80,000 |
| Project Architect (5-10 years) | $80,000-$110,000 |
| Senior Architect (10-15 years) | $100,000-$130,000 |
| Associate/Partner | $120,000-$180,000 |
| Principal/Owner | $150,000-$300,000+ |
Salary by Firm Type
| Firm Type | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Large Corporate Firm (500+) | $90,000-$130,000 |
| Mid-size Firm (50-500) | $80,000-$110,000 |
| Small Firm (10-50) | $70,000-$95,000 |
| Boutique/Design-focused | $75,000-$100,000 |
| Government | $80,000-$105,000 |
| Development Company | $90,000-$120,000 |
Salary by Specialization
| Specialization | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Commercial | $85,000-$115,000 |
| Residential | $75,000-$100,000 |
| Healthcare | $90,000-$120,000 |
| Institutional | $85,000-$115,000 |
| Industrial | $85,000-$110,000 |
| Interior Architecture | $70,000-$95,000 |
| Landscape Architecture | $70,000-$95,000 |
| Sustainable/Green | $80,000-$110,000 |
Take-Home Pay (Ontario Example)
| Gross Salary | Annual Take-Home | Monthly Net |
|---|---|---|
| $80,000 | $60,500 | $5,040 |
| $100,000 | $72,500 | $6,040 |
| $130,000 | $90,000 | $7,500 |
Path to Licensure
| Stage | Duration | Typical Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Architecture | 4 years | Student |
| Master of Architecture | 2 years | Student |
| Intern Architect Program | 3,720 hours (~3 years) | $55,000-$70,000 |
| ExAC Exams | During internship | — |
| Licensed Architect | Post-exam | $85,000-$110,000 |
Firm Ownership Economics
| Metric | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Billable Rate | $150-$300/hour |
| Firm Revenue per Employee | $120,000-$180,000 |
| Partner Profit Share | $100,000-$300,000+ |
| Firm Value | 30-50% of annual revenue |
Is Architecture a Good Career in Canada?
Pros:
- Creative, design-focused work
- Long-term projects with visible results
- Growing demand for sustainable design
- Respected profession
- Principal/ownership potential
Cons:
- Very long path to licensure (8-12 years)
- Lower pay relative to education/training
- Long hours, especially at deadlines
- Cyclical with economy
- High responsibility, liability concerns
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