Most in-demand jobs in Manitoba for newcomers

Located between the provinces of Ontario and Saskatchewan, Manitoba is a popular choice for many newcomers. The capital city of Winnipeg is culturally rich and offers a plethora of employment opportunities for newcomers from various parts of the world.

According to provincial estimates, nearly 170,000 new job opportunities are expected to arise in Manitoba between 2018 and 2024. To meet its growing labour market needs, the province welcomes newcomers with relevant skills and experience to work and permanently settle in Manitoba through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.

This resource provides an overview on Manitoba’s job market, including its top industries, cities that offer the most employment prospects, in-demand occupations, and median wage estimates to help you prepare for your career in Canada.

In this article:

What are the top industries in Manitoba?
Which cities have the most job opportunities in Manitoba?
Which jobs are in demand in Manitoba?
What is the minimum wage in Manitoba?
What is the unemployment rate in Manitoba?
How can I move to Manitoba?

Note
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 Manitoba?

Services industry: The services sector employs a majority of Manitobans. Trade, finance and insurance, real estate, construction, transportation and warehousing, information technology, arts and entertainment, tourism, and professional services are some of the key service industries.
Manufacturing industry: Manitoba has a large manufacturing sector specializing in pharmaceuticals, aerospace, vehicles and equipment, food and beverage, chemicals, metals, plastics, rubber, mineral products, and wood products.
Mining and oil: The province is rich in base metals like nickel, copper, and zinc, and precious metals like gold. Manitoba also has several active oil fields and the industry creates significant employment opportunities.
Agriculture and forestry: Agriculture is one of the key contributors to the province’s economy and employs over six per cent of the workforce. With forests covering nearly half of Manitoba’s land, forest products such as timber and wood products are important industries.

Which cities have the most job opportunities in Manitoba?

Winnipeg: The capital of Manitoba and the largest city in the province by population, Winnipeg is where most newcomers to the province choose to settle. The city offers employment opportunities in industries like advanced manufacturing, information and communication technology, aerospace, agribusiness, and creative services.
Brandon: Although it’s the second-largest city in Manitoba, fewer than 50,000 people live in Brandon. Most of the city’s population is employed in the services sector, including trade, health care, education, and financial services, and in manufacturing.

Which jobs are in demand in Manitoba?

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 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.

Business, finance, and administration jobs in Manitoba

Financial managers, HR managers, and other administrative services managers (NOC 10010, 10011, 10019, previously 0111, 0112, 0114): Managerial roles in finance, HR, and administration pay a median hourly income between $34 CAD and $50 CAD. You’ll need a degree in management, finance, marketing, or HR to qualify for these jobs.
Banking, credit, investment, and insurance managers (NOC 10020, 10021, previously 0121, 0122): These in-demand roles in the banking and finance sector pay a median salary of $47 CAD per hour.
Advertising, marketing and public relations managers (NOC 10022, previously 0124): Managers in marketing roles earn median hourly income of $47 CAD in Manitoba.
Financial auditors, accountants, and analysts (NOC 11100, 11101, previously 1111, 1112): In-demand finance and accounting roles typically pay around $31 CAD per hour. You’ll require a degree in finance or accounting to qualify for these jobs.
Human resource professionals (NOC 11200, previously 1121): Non-managerial HR jobs pay a median wage of $32 CAD per hour.
Occupations in business management consulting (NOC 11201, previously 1122): Business consulting roles have a median hourly wage of $33 CAD.

Natural and applied sciences jobs in Manitoba

Engineering, architecture, computer and information systems, and science managers (NOC 20010, 20011, 20012, previously 0211, 0212, 0213): Engineering managers in Manitoba can expect to earn a median hourly income between $48 CAD and $51 CAD.
Engineers specializing in civil, mechanical, electrical, electronic, industrial, software, and computer engineering (NOC 21300, 21301, 21310, 21321, 21231, 21311, previously 2131, 2132, 2133, 2141, 2173, 2147): Engineers typically make anywhere between $33 CAD and $44 CAD per hour, depending on their area of specialization, and require an engineering degree and a provincial licence.
Architects (NOC 21200, previously 2151): The median salary for architects in Manitoba is $37.50 CAD per hour.
Information systems and database analysts (NOC 21211, 21220, 21221, 21222, 21233, 21223, previously 2171, 2172): These in-demand IT jobs pay between $38 CAD and $42 CAD per hour.
Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 21230, 21232, 21234, 21233, previously 2174, 2175): Programmers and developers earn between $24 CAD and $38 CAD per hour in the province.
Engineering technologists and technicians (NOC 22300, 22310, 22301, previously 2231, 2232, 2233, 2241): As an engineering technologist, you can earn a median wage of $28 CAD to $35 CAD per hour.

Health care jobs in Manitoba

Managers in health care (NOC 30010, previously 0311): Health care managers earn a median hourly wage of $47 CAD in Manitoba.
Pharmacists, dieticians (NOC 31120, 31121, previously 3131, 3132): These in-demand health jobs provide an annual income of $69,000 CAD to $135,000 CAD.
Physiotherapists and occupational therapists (NOC 31202, 32109, 31203, previously 3142, 3143): Physiotherapists and occupational therapists make an average of $39 CAD per hour.
Medical lab technologists, technicians, and assistants (NOC 32120, 31303, 33101, 32104, 32121, 32124, 32129, 33103, previously 3211, 3212, 3213, 3215, 3219): Medical technologists, depending on their skill and specialization, draw a median hourly wage between $18 CAD and $36 CAD.
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (NOC 32103, previously 3214): Specialized medical technologists earn a median salary of $43 CAD per hour.
Dental hygienists and therapists (NOC 32111, previously 3222): Dental professionals earn a median hourly income of $42 CAD.

Sales and service jobs in Manitoba

Corporate sales managers (NOC 60010, previously 0601): Managers in sales jobs make an average of $55 CAD per hour.
Managers in trades and customer services (NOC 60020, 60040, previously 0621, 0651): These in-demand managerial roles pay a median hourly salary of around $33 CAD.
Real estate agents and salespersons (NOC 63101, previously 6232): People in these occupations can make between $49,000 CAD and $130,000 CAD per year.
Financial sales representatives (NOC 63102, previously 6235): Financial sales representatives make an average of $24 CAD per hour.
Food service supervisors (NOC 62020, previously 6311): These in-demand jobs pay a median wage of $13.50 CAD per hour.

Processing and manufacturing jobs in Manitoba

Manufacturing and utilities managers (NOC 90010, 90011, previously 0911, 0912): Manufacturing managers in Manitoba stand to make an average of $38.46 CAD per hour while utilities manager roles pay a median wage of $56.41 CAD per hour.
Power engineers and power systems operators (NOC 92100, previously 9241): Power engineers and operators earn around $37 CAD per hour.

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 Manitoba?

The minimum wage in Manitoba is $11.95 CAD per hour as of October 1, 2021.

What is the unemployment rate in Manitoba?

In November 2021, the unemployment rate in Manitoba was 5.1 per cent.

How can I move to Manitoba?

There are several immigration pathways available for newcomers who wish to move to Manitoba. In addition to the federal Express Entry program, the provincial government also has a Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, which allows newcomers with skills that match Manitoba’s labour requirements to settle in the province permanently.

The province also welcomes temporary residents, including people who wish to work in the province on a work permit or study in Manitoba. If you’re planning to pursue a study program at a university in Manitoba, you may also be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit after you complete your studies. Moreover, your Manitoban work experience or educational qualifications may give you additional points if you choose to apply for permanent residency in Manitoba later on.

Want to learn more about living in Manitoba?

Check out our province-specific resources for more information:

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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.