2022-11-03T16:14:26-04:00Jan 17, 2022|

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Most in-demand jobs in New Brunswick (NB) for newcomers

As the only officially bilingual province in Canada, New Brunswick attracts both Anglophone and Francophone newcomers from across the world. It is also home to several Indigenous communities, making it truly diverse and multicultural.

If you’re planning to settle in New Brunswick, the province periodically invites newcomers with the skills and experience to meet their evolving labour requirements through the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP).

This resource provides information on New Brunswick’s job market, including the province’s key industries , in-demand occupations for newcomers, NOC codes, and median wage estimates, so you can arrive prepared to start your career in Canada.

In this article:

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As 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 New Brunswick?

  • Services industry: Real estate, health care, retail and wholesale trade, financial services and insurance, education, transportation and warehousing, professional and technical services, and IT and cybersecurity industries are major contributors to the economy in New Brunswick.
  • Manufacturing industry: Traditional manufacturing industries in NB include food products, paper, transportation equipment, and wood, although advanced manufacturing sectors like aerospace and defence are growing as well.
  • Agriculture: The agriculture sector offers direct and indirect employment to over 13,000 people in the province.
  • Mining industry: New Brunswick mines produce significant quantities of lead, zinc, copper, gold, silver, antimony, and cadmium.

Which cities have the most job opportunities in New Brunswick?

  • Moncton: Moncton is the largest city in NB, with a population of over 71,000. The major industries in the city include tourism, food and accommodation services, and trade.
  • Saint John: The city primarily relies on maritime industries, such as shipping, fishing, and ship building for employment. Telecommunications, e-commerce, and trade are other economically important industries.
  • Fredericton: The capital city of NB, Fredericton’s economy is largely resource-based. However, industries like aerospace and defence manufacturing, food processing, information and communication technology, and biosciences are growing rapidly.

Which jobs are in demand in New Brunswick?

Tips IconWant 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. 

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The in-demand jobs have been compiled based on in-demand and priority occupations identified in the latest Provincial Nominee Programs and NOCs selected in recent PNP 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.

Services sector jobs in New Brunswick

  • University professors (NOC 41200, previously 4011): In New Brunswick, university professors earn a median hourly wage of $48 CAD.
  • Social workers (NOC 41300, previously 4152): Social workers make around $34 CAD per hour in the province.
  • Supervisors for retail and food services (NOC 62010, 62020, previously 6211, 6311): Supervisors in retail and food services make anywhere between $13.40 CAD and $17.50 CAD per hour.

Health care jobs in New Brunswick

  • Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses (NOC 31301, 32101, previously 3012, 3233): The median wages for registered or licensed nurses in NB are between $25 CAD and $39 CAD per hour. For most health care jobs, including nursing, newcomers will need to be licensed by the provincial authorities.
  • Specialist physicians, general practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31100, 31102, 31102, previously 3111, 3112): Newcomer doctors need to take a qualifying examination before they can be allowed to practice in the province.

Manufacturing jobs in New Brunswick

  • Civil and aerospace engineers (NOC 21300, 21390, previously 2131, 2146): As an engineer, you can earn a median hourly wage of $37.44 CAD in NB. You’ll need an engineering degree and a provincial licence to practice.
  • Chemical technicians (NOC 22100, previously 2211): These jobs have a median hourly wage of $21 CAD.
  • Skilled workers including welders (NOC 72106, previously 7237), electricians (NOC 72200, previously 7241), plumbers (NOC 72300, previously 7251), carpenters (NOC 72310, previously 7271), mechanics (NOC 72401, previously 7312), transport truck drivers (NOC 73300, previously 7511): These in-demand occupations in manufacturing pay between $19 CAD and $24 CAD per hour.

information icon  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 New Brunswick?

Currently, the minimum wage in New Brunswick is $11.75 CAD per hour. However, effective October 2022, the minimum hourly wage will be increased to $13.75 CAD.

What is the unemployment rate in New Brunswick?

In November 2021, the unemployment rate in New Brunswick was nine per cent.

How can I move to New Brunswick?

Newcomers who plan to move to New Brunswick permanently can apply for permanent residency through the federal government’s Express Entry program or the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP).

You can also apply for a work permit and work in NB temporarily, or acquire local professional experience to strengthen your permanent residence application.

Want to learn more about living in NB?

Check out our province-specific resource for more information:

 

This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.