Top 10 In-Demand Jobs in Canada
Canada’s job market is continuously evolving, with opportunities across various sectors. It continues to shift in response to global trends, current labour demands, and the economy. Understanding job categories that are currently high in-demand may give you a strategic advantage when looking to move or find a career in Canada. This article offers insights into the growing industries in Canada and the top 10 in-demand jobs in 2025.
Welcoming skilled newcomers to Canada continues to be a goal of the Canadian government every year. With over 500,000 job vacancies nationwide (May 2025), there is a demand for skilled workers to fill available positions. While the labour market is competitive, with the unemployment rate rising to 6.9% (May 2025), overseas candidates with experience in current in-demand occupations are expected to have strong prospects in Canada. These individuals are strong applicants that could qualify for skilled immigration programs.
Looking at targeted Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws across Canada sheds light on which jobs are in demand in terms of immigration. Generally, careers in the health care sector, technology field, and scientific areas tend to be in high demand across the country.
As of 2025, the Canadian labour market has experienced significant shifts with a rise in unemployment rates and economic pressures. However, several job sectors throughout the country have seen employment growth since 2023 and are projected to continue to rise. Fields such as transportation, healthcare, and educational services, among others, offer promising job prospects for those seeking employment.
Top 10 In-Demand Jobs in Canada
Based on the information provided by Statistics Canada and data we gathered from various job-seeking platforms such as Canada Job Bank, Indeed and LinkedIn, we are pleased to present a list of the top 10 jobs in high demand for the current and upcoming years.
1. Registered Nurse (RN)
Jobs in the healthcare sector remain in high demand in many provinces across Canada. As a result of the continuous need of healthcare and the aging population, nurses are in particularly short supply with many provinces having targeted Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws for registered nurses. Because of the high demand for nurses, there are also several immigration options available to overseas candidates with experience in nursing to encourage them to consider Canada as an option to immigrate to.
- Average Annual Salary Range: $70,000 – $100,000+
- Highest Paying Provinces: Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon.
- Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree and registration with a provincial or territorial regulatory authority.
2. Software Engineers
With the ever-evolving industry of technology, software engineers are one of the most in-demand workers in Canada.
Express entry is a popular option for tech workers who want to settle in Canada, especially through the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program. To further highlight the growing need to tech workers, most provinces in Canada are actively inviting engineers and tech workers directly from the express entry pool through PNPs.
- Average Annual Salary Range: $90,000-110,000
- Highest Paying Provinces: Prince Edward Island, Quebec, British Columbia
- Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree
3. Early Childhood Educators (ECE)
ECEs play a crucial role in shaping children’s early intellectual, physical, social and emotional development. ECEs are increasingly recognized as an essential part of quality early education in children and growth of the education sector. ECEs are continuously included in many provinces’ list of eligible candidates for PNPs.
- Average Annual Salary Range: $35,000-55,000
- Highest Paying Provinces: British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick
- Minimum education: Requirements vary for province or territory and the level of ECE. A completion of a two- to four-year program in Early Childhood Education is often required.
4. Welder
Canada expects to add 23,000 welding positions to the economy by 2028, making this profession in high demand. Welding positions are in particularly high demand throughout British Columbia and Prince Edward Island. However, those with welding experience are likely to have a strong advantage throughout the nation when considering where to immigrate to.
- Average Annual Salary: $47,000-$71,000
- Highest Paying Provinces: Alberta, Northwest Territories, and British Columbia
- Minimum Education: Requirements vary, but typically onsite training and/or a training certificate
5. Electricians
Electricians remain high in-demand due to Canada’s ongoing commitment of shifting towards renewable energy and new public and private infrastructure projects. From developing housing to public transit systems, skilled electricians are essential to Canada’s future. Electrical workers are specifically targeted by provinces for PNPs and they are also eligible under many Express Entry Streams such as the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Worker (FSW).
- Average Annual Salary: $60,000-$86,000
- Highest Paying Provinces: Alberta, Quebec, and Saskatchewan
- Minimum Education: On-site training and/or a trade certification.
6. Pharmacist
Pharmacists are responsible for distributing medicine and providing health consultations to advise about medicine. A pharmacist can build a career path by working in a hospital, a drugstore, or by starting their own pharmacy.
Pharmacists are provincially regulated, meaning that each province will have their own regulations. To become a pharmacist, you must have a degree in pharmacy, pass the exam conducted by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) and register in your province or territory to become a certified pharmacist in Canada. Similar to other professions in the medical field, pharmacists have been in high demand in recent years.
- Average Annual Salary: $75,000-$135,000
- Highest Paying Provinces: Quebec, Alberta, Ontario
- Minimum Education: Bachelor of Pharmacy, completion and passing of the PEBC exam
7. Truck Drivers
Truck drivers often top lists as one of the most in-demand jobs in Canada. They are needed in almost every Canadian province and territory to transport commercial goods from coast to coast. According to Job Bank Canada, several new positions for Transport Truck Drivers are projected in the future for all provinces and territories in Canada with numerous positions predicted to become available due to retirements and high employee turnover rates.
- Average Annual Salary: $45,000-70,000
- Highest Paying Provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario
- Minimum Education: Completion of truck driver training alongside appropriate licensing and endorsements
8. Administrative Assistant
Administrative assistants are crucial in every office and business setting to ensure efficiency and administrative support in Canada. The demand for administrative assistants is high in 2025, coupled with limited supply of available and qualified candidates. Provinces such as Ontario and Manitoba acknowledge the lack of administrative assistants by often including this occupation in their PNP draws.
- Average Annual Salary: $45,000-$60,000
- Highest Paying Provinces: Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec
- Minimum Education: High school diploma with preference to candidates with completion of secondary school or college program
9. Accountants
Accountants are vital to the operations of a successful company. As businesses of all sizes require professional individuals skilled in managing finances, auditing and taxation, accountants can expect to find steady job opportunities throughout the country. Accountants are eligible for Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
- Average Annual Salary: $65,000-$90,000
- Highest Paying Provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.
- Minimum Education: Business-related Diploma or Bachelor’s degree.
10. Social Workers
Canada has a growing demand for social workers in 2025, causing it to be one of the most targeted occupations in Canada’s Express Entry system in the category-based selection draws. Eligible foreign workers will have an increased chance of receiving an invitation to apply through the FSW program or CEC. In addition, provinces such as Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia are prioritizing social workers through PNPs.
- Average Annual Salary: $45,000-$90,000
- Highest Paying Provinces: Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan
- Minimum Education: College or University degree in social work, child and youth care, psychology or other social science or health-related discipline.
Working in Canada: A Pathway for Immigration.
Canada’s Express Entry system continues to be the fastest and most efficient route to permanent residence for workers with the right skills and experience from many different industries. Many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are geared toward skilled workers with specific work experience. If your work experience is in demand, you may be eligible for a provincial nomination for permanent residence.
Provinces select candidates with in-demand experience and skills. If you have work experience in one of the above in-demand jobs in Canada, you may be eligible for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
With an increase in job vacancy rates, an aging Canadian workforce and the current immigration target of welcoming more than one million newcomers in the next three years now is the best time for foreign nationals looking for employment to take that first step toward Canadian immigration!
Interested in working in any of these professions and living in Canada? Learn about your immigration options by completing our free online assessment below!
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