As the only primarily French-speaking province in Canada, Quebec is culturally distinct from other provinces and territories. For many Francophone newcomers, settling in Quebec is an obvious choice and the province welcomes between 30,000 and 50,000 newcomers each year.
The provincial government invites newcomers with the skills and experience to meet the province’s growing labour requirements to work and live in Quebec as Permanent Residents (PR) through the Quebec Skilled Workers program and other immigration pathways.
This article provides information on Quebec’s job market, including the industries that generate jobs, in-demand occupations for newcomers in the province, NOC codes, and median wage estimates, so you can arrive prepared to kick-start your career in Canada.
In this article:
 NoteAs you plan your move to Canada, choosing a province to settle down in is a huge decision. While the job market is an important factor to keep in mind, be sure to also research the local culture, major cities in each province, spoken languages, and cost of living in the region. Arrive’s Newcomer Guide to Canada’s Provinces and Territories is a great starting point. |
What are the top industries in Quebec?
- Manufacturing industry: The manufacturing sector in Quebec comprises industries like paper, transportation equipment, chemical and pharmaceutical products, and refined petroleum and coal products.
- Mining industry: The mining industry in Quebec creates over 150,000 direct and indirect jobs and produces gold, silver, copper, zinc, iron, titanium, and niobium.
- Agriculture and agri-food industry: Quebec’s agriculture industry is world-renowned for maple production, but it also produces other staple foods and dairy products.
- Hydroelectricity sector: Quebec is among the world’s largest producers of hydroelectricity and Hydro-Québec employs over 20,000 people.
- Services industry: Key service industries in Quebec include financial services and insurance, tourism, digital and entertainment, transportation, computer services and consulting, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Which cities have the most jobs in Quebec?
- Montreal: As the largest city in Quebec, Montreal has a thriving job market. The city offers job opportunities in a diverse range of sectors, including aerospace, electronic goods, software engineering, telecommunications, tourism, textile manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.
- Quebec City: Quebec City offers avenues for employment in health care, retail, and public administration.
- Gatineau: Gatineau, or ‘Ottawa-Gatineau’ as it’s commonly called, lies on the Ontario-Quebec border. The city offers significant employment opportunities in the federal government, services sector, and in construction. It is also gaining repute as a startup hub.
- Sherbrooke: Traditionally known for its agriculture and forestry-related industries, including dairy, wood, and rubber, Sherbrooke is now home to a growing financial and technology sector as well.
Which jobs are in demand in Quebec?
 Want to learn about the scope of your profession in Canada?Find valuable information on career paths, required credentials, and the hiring process in your field in our Canadian Job Market Guide. |
| Note The in-demand jobs have been compiled based on in-demand and priority occupation identified by Quebec and NOCs selected in recent QSW draws. The occupations listed in the sections below are not exhaustive and are subject to change as the labour market needs evolve.You can also use the Government of Canada’s Job Bank portal to conduct a trend analysis of average wages, eligibility criteria, and job requirements for your occupation in a particular city or province.In addition to educational qualifications and relevant experience, proficiency in French may be a requirement for jobs in Quebec. |
Service sector jobs in Quebec:
- Financial managers (NOC 10010, previously 0111): Managers in finance earn a median income of $46 CAD per hour in Quebec. You’ll need a degree in management or finance to qualify for these jobs.
- Human resource (HR) managers and other HR professionals (NOC 10011, 11200, previously 0112, 1121): HR professionals make a median salary of $30 CAD to $46 CAD per hour, depending on their seniority.
- Financial and real estate managers (NOC 10020 and 10021, previously 0121, 0122): These in-demand occupations pay between $38 CAD and $43 CAD per hour.
- Advertising, marketing and public relations managers (NOC 10022, previously 0124): Managers in marketing fields make an average hourly wage of $41 CAD.
- Financial auditors, accountants, analysts, planners, and advisers (NOC 11100, 11101, 11102, 11109, previously 1111, 1112, 1113, 1114): Other in-demand roles in finance pay between $31 CAD and $38 CAD per hour.
- Professional occupations in business management consulting (NOC 11201, previously 1122): Business consultants make a median income of $36 CAD per hour in Quebec.
- Executive assistants (NOC 12100, previously 1222): As an executive assistant, you can earn a median hourly income of $32 CAD.
- Accounting technicians and bookkeepers, insurers and underwriters (NOC 12200, 12201, 12202, and previously 1311, 1312, 1313): For insurance and accounting roles, the median hourly pay is between $25 CAD and $35 CAD. You’ll need a degree or diploma in accounting or finance to qualify for these in-demand jobs.
- Architects and land use planners (NOC 21200, 21202, 21203, previously 2151, 2153, 2154): Architects in Quebec make a median hourly income of $35.58 CAD, and require a provincial licence to work.
- University professors and post-graduate teachers (NOC 41200 and 41201, previously 4011, 4012): The salary for teachers varies based on the level at which they are teaching, with university professors being the highest paid at $55 CAD per hour. If you want to work as a teacher in Quebec, you’ll need a provincial teaching licence.
- College and school teachers at all levels (NOC 41210, 41220, and 41221, previously 4021, 4031, 4032): School teachers make a median hourly income of $38 CAD.
Technology jobs in Quebec
- IT systems managers (NOC 20012, previously 0213): IT manager roles are among the highest paying jobs that are in-demand in Quebec, paying a median hourly salary of $55.29 CAD.
- Engineers including computer engineers (NOC 21300, 21301, 21310, 21311, 21320, 21321, 21322, 21330, 21331, 21332, 21390, previously 2131 to 2134 and 2141 to 2147): Engineers, depending on their speciality, make a median hourly wage between $38 CAD and $47 CAD and require an engineering degree and a provincial licence to work.
- Computer analysts and consultants, database analysts, software engineers and designers, computer programmers and interactive media developers, and web designers and developers (NOC 21211, 21220, 21221, 21222, 21223, 21233, 21231, 21230, 21232, 21234, previously 2171 to 2175): The median wage for other in-demand technology roles is between $32 CAD to $44 CAD per hour.
Health care jobs in Quebec
- Managers in health care (NOC 30010, previously 0311): Managers in health care usually require a management degree and make a median hourly income of $43.27 CAD.
- Medical administrative assistants (NOC 13112, previously 1243): These in-demand jobs pay between $16 CAD and $29 CAD per hour.
- Chemists or pharmacists (NOC 31120, previously 3131): Pharmacists earn a median annual salary of $113,387 CAD.
- Specialist doctors, general practitioners, family physicians, dentists, vets (NOC 31100, 31101, 31102, 31103, and 31111, previously 3111, 3112, 3113, 3114): Newcomer doctors may need to sit for an exam and be registered with the province to practice. Vets make a median income of $86,163 CAD per year.
- Physiotherapists, occupational therapists (NOC 31202, 32109, 31203, previously 3142, 3143): These professionals earn between $33 CAD and $38 CAD per hour.
- Medical lab technologists, technicians, and assistants (NOC 32120, 31303, 33101, previously 3211, 3212): Lab technicians make around $28 CAD per hour in Quebec.
- Registered nurses and nursing supervisors (NOC 31300 and 31301, previously 3012, 3011): Senior nurses earn a median income between $34 CAD and $42 CAD per hour and require a provincial nursing licence.
Manufacturing jobs in Quebec
- Manufacturing managers (NOC 90010, previously 0911): Managerial level jobs in manufacturing pay a median hourly wage of $42.50 CAD in Quebec.
- Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (NOC 72100, previously 7231): The median wage for these jobs is around $22 CAD per hour.
- Metal workers, ironworkers, welders, machine operators, carpenters (NOC 72102, 72105, 72106, 72310, previously 7233, 7236, 7237, 7271): For these in-demand manufacturing occupations, the median hourly pay ranges between $23 CAD and $39 CAD.
- Mechanical foremen, supervisors, equipment operators and mechanics (NOC 72020, 72021, 72022, 72401, previously 7301, 7302, 7303, 7312): These roles pay between $24 CAD and $35 CAD per hour.
- Supervisors in petroleum, gas, chemical, plastics, food and beverage, and forest product processing industries (NOC 92011, 92012, 92013, 92014, previously 9212, 9213, 9214, 9215): These occupations typically have a median hourly wage between $17.50 CAD and $26 CAD.
 Ready to start applying to jobs in Canada?Find tips and resources on creating a Canadian-style resume, searching for jobs, networking, and interview preparation in Arrive’s Newcomer’s Guide to Finding Your Career in Canada. |
What is the minimum wage in Quebec?
The minimum wage in Quebec as of May 1, 2023 is $15.25 CAD.
What is the unemployment rate in Quebec?
In January 2023, the unemployment rate in Quebec was 3.9 per cent.
How do I move to Quebec?
Unlike other provinces and territories in Canada, Quebec selects its own immigrants based on the province’s labour market requirements and the likelihood of the newcomers adapting to life in Quebec.
In addition to applying to the federal Express Entry program, you can also apply specifically to settle in Quebec through the provincial Quebec Skilled Worker program (QSW). However, most streams under the QSW program require proficiency in French.
If you plan to live in Quebec temporarily, you can also apply for a work permit or study permit. Any education or work experience you gain in the province will add to your score if you wish to apply for permanent residence later.
Want to learn more about living in Quebec?
Check out our province-specific resources for more information:
