Are Architecture Careers Keeping Pace with Expectations?
With partnership from The Royal Architectural Institute Of Canada (RAIC) | L’Institut royal d’architecture du Canada (IRAC , we recently surveyed over 700 architecture and design professionals across Canada to better understand how compensation, career satisfaction, and workplace preferences are evolving in the industry.
The result? A clear picture of progress and persistent gaps, which should prompt conversations at every level, from firm leadership to emerging professionals. Below we will discuss the top findings from our 2025 salary survey that focused exclusively on A&D professionals working in Canada, if you would like a free copy of the report, please visit our website here: https://dmcrecruitment.com/2025-architecture-design-industry-salary-report/
1. The Gender Pay Gap Is Shrinking—But Not Gone
Female professionals saw an impressive 33% increase in average salary since our 2022 salary survey, compared to 23% for men. The average gap now sits just under 8%.
But here’s the catch: in senior and ownership roles, men still dominate both in representation and in earnings. Male principals, for example, earn over $40,000 more on average than their female counterparts.
What this means: Compensation equity is improving, but real progress depends on equal access to leadership roles. The graph below compares the representation between males and females across job titles. You will note that males hold the majority in leadership roles, such as Directors, Principals, Partners, and Owners.
2. Culture and Flexibility Now Outrank Compensation
When asked what matters most in a job, 72% ranked Working Environment & Culture as their top priority, beating out Earning Potential (56%).
And compared to 2022, flexibility, vacation time, and commute have grown significantly in importance, especially for mid-career professionals.
What this means: Firms focused solely on pay and projects may struggle to retain talent in today’s evolving workplace. A firm’s employer brand is a driving factor for not only retaining talent but also being the deciding factor for a top candidate who is weighing the options between competing offers.
3. Performance Pay Is Rising—But Access Isn’t Equal
While senior roles like Partner and Principal earn performance bonuses of $60K–$75K, most intermediate and junior staff report annual bonuses under $5,000. And only 30–46% of respondents say their firms offer RRSP matching.
What this means: Total compensation remains concentrated at the top, leaving younger professionals with fewer financial incentives to stay and grow. As an industry, if we want to continue to grow and attract the next generation of talent to start their careers in architecture and design, we need to make a clear effort to incentivize intermediate and junior talent. The illustrations below show the average satisfaction rating from respondents with their compensation package.
4. Architects Are Working Long Weeks—For Less in Some Regions
Nationally, the average workweek ranges from 38 to 45 hours, with mid-level professionals logging the most time. Yet regional pay varies sharply. For example:
- Intermediate Architects earn $99K in Alberta vs. $77K in Quebec & the Maritimes.
- Architectural Technologists average $83K in BC but just $60K in Quebec & the Maritimes.
What this means: Geography still plays a major role in earnings, and not always in proportion to effort. The table below shows the average base salary based on region and job title.
What’s Next?
The findings from this year’s salary report show a profession in transition. Priorities are shifting. Equity is improving, but inconsistently. And compensation structures often lag the expectations of the next generation of design professionals.
Get the Full Report
At DMC Recruitment, we believe transparency is the first step toward improvement. The 2025 Architecture & Design Salary Report is packed with detailed insights, from compensation by province and role to workplace preferences, benefits, and equity trends. Whether you’re hiring, negotiating, or just curious how your experience stacks up, this report is designed to help.
