California Architecture and Design Market Update 2026
Here is what our industry experts have been seeing in California
In architecture, healthcare and education are strong, with a notable increase in landscape and hospitality projects. In interiors, luxury residential and hospitality projects are providing strong pipelines. Hybrid working conditions are still sought after by job seekers, as well as company benefits and culture alongside salary considerations.
Sector buoyancy
- Within architecture, healthcare and education professionals are still in strong demand.
- There has also been a noticeable increase in the demand for landscape and hospitality architects.
- With a greater desire from most clients to have their workforce in office five days, this has meant we have seen an uptick in workplace and tenant improvement projects.
- For interior design, luxury residential and hospitality continue to be the most sought-after skillsets.
In demand roles and skills
- Within architecture, there is a high demand for California-licensed architects with education experience.
- In interior design, single family residential is seeing increased demand.
Challenges
- Skillsets clients are seeking such has high end residential and hospitality does not match the available talent pool.
- With current economic pressures, the talent pool is staying put, there is not much movement.
- If people do move, they do so quickly which does not marry into a cautious client hiring environment.
Job seeker priorities
- The commute to and from work is still a major deciding factor for job seekers with clients wanting more in-office days and those maintaining they want to work in hybrid cultures.
- With little seismic shift in bases, while still motivated by base salary increases, job seekers are focusing more on company benefits and culture.
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