NOC 21200: Architects
Architects conceptualize, plan and develop designs for the construction and renovation of commercial, institutional and residential buildings. They are employed by architectural firms, private corporations and governments, or they may be self-employed.
Official Main Duties for NOC 21200
Select the duties you perform in your actual job. Under IRCC guidelines, you must perform at least 60% of these duties for a successful work permit or PR reference letter.
Your employer reference letter must confirm you performed the main actions described in the duties above. Avoid copying words directly from the NOC description — officers expect natural job descriptions with specific company context.
Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 21200
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Architects is categorized under TEER 1. Occupations in this tier typically require a university degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) or substantial managerial tenure.
Express Entry Alignment
Qualifies directly for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry. Work experience must be full-time (or equivalent part-time) and continuous for at least one year.
Target Category Status
Currently evaluated under standard General and CEC invitation rounds, or targeted through provincial in-demand lists such as Ontario (OINP), British Columbia (BC PNP), or Alberta (AAIP).
NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 Transition & Equivalency
Under Canada's previous NOC 2016 classification, this occupation was mapped under the following 4-digit code(s). When preparing your Express Entry profile or work reference letters, you must use the new 5-digit code NOC 21200.
Regional Wages Across Canada
Under Canadian immigration law, an employer hiring you under an LMIA must pay you at least the median wage listed below for your province.
| Province / Territory | Low Wage | Median Wage | High Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (National Average) | $26.44 | $38.94/hr | $74.52 |
| Nova Scotia → | $25/hr | $40.87/hr | $50.55/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $26.65/hr | $39.22/hr | $54.45/hr |
| Quebec → | $27/hr | $32.82/hr | $70/hr |
| Ontario → | $28.21/hr | $41.03/hr | $80.97/hr |
| Manitoba → | $22.5/hr | $41.03/hr | $62.5/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $26.02/hr | $40.83/hr | $59.68/hr |
| Alberta → | $29.76/hr | $45.69/hr | $69.26/hr |
| British Columbia → | $29.07/hr | $45.14/hr | $69.8/hr |
🏙️Top Metropolitan Cities Wage Rates (ESDC 2025/2026)
Economic Region BenchmarksOfficial ESDC prevailing median wages across major Canadian metropolitan regions. Crucial for LMIA prevailing wage compliance and local job offer evaluations.
Employment Requirements
These are the education, training, and certification standards usually required by Canadian employers for this occupation:
- 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) is required.
- A master's degree in architecture may be required.
- Completion of a three-year internship under the supervision of a registered architect is required.
- Completion of the architect registration examination is required.
- Registration with a provincial regulatory body is required in all provinces and the Northwest Territories.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers.
Official Job Titles for NOC 21200
8 Titles ListedIf your current job title matches any of these official examples, this NOC code is likely the right choice for your Express Entry reference letter:
Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)
Check this list to make sure your actual job is not classified under one of these related codes:
- Architecture and science managers (See 20011 Architecture and science managers)View NOC 20011→
- Database architect (See 21223 Database analysts and data administrators)View NOC 21223→
- Landscape architects (See 21201 Landscape architects)View NOC 21201→
- Naval architect (See 21399 Other professional engineers)View NOC 21399→
- Software architect (See 21231 Software engineers and designers)View NOC 21231→
- Structural engineer (See 21300 Civil engineers)View NOC 21300→
- Technical architect - hardware (See 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers))View NOC 21311→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 21200 (Architects)
Essential answers regarding Express Entry eligibility, LMIA prevailing wage compliance, and official reference letter rules.
Check Your Express Entry Score & Latest Cutoffs
Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 21200, explore your TEER 1 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.