When planning your move to Canada, choosing a province or city to settle in is an important decision. In addition to comparing the quality of life and cost of living in various provinces, most newcomers also explore the job market to determine where their skills and experience are most in demand.
In this article series, you’ll find information on the job market in various provinces and territories, including:
- top industries that contribute to their economy and employment
- in-demand occupations for newcomers in the region
- corresponding NOC codes and median wage estimates
With this information in hand, you can arrive prepared to kick-start your career in Canada.
 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. |
Which jobs are in demand in Canada?
Canada faces a significant skills shortage, owing to the country’s ageing population and low population growth. The federal and provincial governments rely significantly on immigration programs to fill these skills gaps.
Most Canadian provinces and territories have a list of in-demand occupations based on their labour market requirements. If your skills match the ones a particular province is looking for, you may have a better chance of being selected through Provincial Nominee Programs, finding a job in Canada before you arrive, or finding one soon after your arrival.
While each province’s economic and industrial outlook is different, there is some overlap between industries in dire need of skilled workers. Some of these include:
- Health care and social sectors: The health care sector has a pressing need for skilled labour. Most provinces are looking for qualified physicians, registered nurses, and health care assistants to fill in skills gaps. Job opportunities also exist for teachers and professors at all levels, as well as for social workers.
- Manufacturing: If you’re looking for jobs in Canada’s manufacturing sector, you’ll find openings in nearly every industry, including agri-processing, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, plastics, meat-packing, and wood processing. In the second quarter of 2021 alone, the manufacturing sector had over 65,000 open positions across Canada.
- Information Technology (IT): The IT sector is booming in Canada, creating demand for jobs in software engineering, web design, development, artificial intelligence, and more.
- Services sector: In most provinces, the services sector is the largest contributor to the economy. The sector offers opportunities in various fields, including managerial positions in finance, HR, and marketing, as well as other roles in administration, sales, retail, hospitality, accounting, and more.
- Construction: The construction industry in Canada has been growing across almost all provinces. From construction managers to skilled tradespeople such as carpenters, masons, and electrical workers, the industry is in need of labour at every level.
To ensure you have all the information you need about your chosen province or territory’s job market, we’ve created an article series on the most in-demand jobs by province:
- In-demand jobs in Ontario
- In-demand jobs in British Columbia
- In-demand jobs in Quebec
- In-demand jobs in Alberta
- In-demand jobs in Manitoba
- In-demand jobs in Saskatchewan
- In-demand jobs in Nova Scotia
- In-demand jobs in New Brunswick
- In-demand jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador
- In-demand jobs in Prince Edward Island
- In-demand jobs in Canada’s territories
It’s important to note labour market needs continue to evolve, and the in-demand occupations for each province or territory will change over time. It’s a good idea to look at recent Provincial Nominee Program draws to understand what skills gaps the region is trying to fill.
You can also use the Canadian Online Job Posting dashboard to explore timely labour market information related to online job postings by region, occupation, and work requirements. The Government of Canada’s Job Bank portal also provides trend analyses of average wages, eligibility criteria, and job requirements for your occupation in a particular city or province.
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.
Choosing a Canadian province or territory to settle in
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 weather in the region.
Cost of living and quality of life can vary starkly between provinces and cities in Canada, depending on their population, size, and location. You can use Arrive’s cost of living calculator to get an estimate of what your monthly expenses and budget would look like in various Canadian cities.
If you have or plan to start a family in Canada, you should also explore the school system and education options in the province or city you plan to settle in. The demographics of the province or city also matter. For instance, being in a province where newcomers from your home country commonly settle might mean that you can stay close to your roots and find cultural foods, groceries, and shopping avenues more easily.
An increasing number of newcomers choose to live in mid-sized cities where job market competition is lower than in larger cities, like Toronto and Vancouver. Whether you’re aiming for the larger, metropolitan cities or prefer a quiet small-town life, Canada has many different types of locales to meet your requirements.
 Deciding where to live in Canada?Our Newcomer’s guide to Canada’s provinces and territories provides insight into the culture, climate, job market, and other aspects of life in various parts of the country. |
For many newcomers, the process of searching for a job in Canada starts well before their arrival. Canada has several immigration programs that prioritize individuals in specific in-demand occupations in order to bridge the country’s skills gap. These resources will provide you with insight into where your work experience might be most valuable, so you can plan your move and lay the foundation for your future career in Canada.
