Are you moving to Canada and want to find a good job? If so, you should know about the top 20 jobs that are in demand for people like you. There are many job opportunities for legal immigrants in Canada.
A lot of older people, known as the baby boomer generation, are retiring soon. This means there won’t be enough people to do all the jobs, and the government is ready to help with that.
By the year 2024, about one out of every five Canadians will be 65 or older. This shows that there are a lot of older people in Canada. But this also means there are chances for younger Canadians and immigrants to get good jobs.
If you are planning to move to Canada or already have, you should look into these jobs that pay well and are in high demand. It’s also important to follow the right steps to get a job in Canada.
Working in Canada
Canada has lots of job options in different interesting fields. Some of the biggest job markets in Canada are healthcare, social work/assistance, and technology. This is because the country values health and a good quality of life.
Who can work in Canada?
Jobs are available for both skilled and unskilled workers in Canada. Skilled workers are chosen based on these criteria:
- Show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you come to Canada.
- Have a certificate, diploma, or degree from a post-secondary institution.
- Have at least one year of full-time experience in a skilled job.
- Meet the minimum language requirements in English and/or French.
Top 20 Most In-Demand Jobs in Canada for Immigrants
Here is a list of the top 20 jobs that are in high demand in Canada.
1. Registered Nurse
- Hourly wage: $37 CAD
- Canada needs more registered nurses because the population is getting older. They are essential for taking care of elderly people. You need a nursing degree or diploma and registration with the local authority to work as a nurse in Canada.
2. Software Engineer and Designer
- Hourly wage: $44 CAD
- There’s a big opportunity for people interested in technical careers, especially in web, telecommunications, and mobile technology. To get a tech job in Canada, you generally need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Experience and creativity also play a crucial role.
3. Truck Driver
- Hourly wage: $25 CAD
- Canada needs truck drivers to deliver goods across the country. Without them, the economy would face problems. There’s a shortage of young adults entering this industry, and the country will need more than 27,000 truck drivers soon. To become a truck driver, you need proper training, licensing, and endorsements.
4. Account Manager
- Salary: $83,000 CAD
- Account managers are in high demand to handle a company’s business with specific customers. You generally need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration. Having an advanced degree and work experience is an added advantage.
5. Anesthesiologist
- Salary: $298,000 CAD
- Medical professionals, including anesthesiologists, are highly sought after in Canada. They are among the highest-paid professionals. To become an anesthesiologist, you need an undergraduate degree, complete a medical degree, undergo at least five years of residency training, and pass special exams.
6. Dentists
- Salary: $77,000 CAD
- Dentists are in high demand in Canada. To practice as a dentist, you need a university degree from a recognized dental program and licensing from a provincial or territorial regulatory body. Specialized dental practice may require additional training.
7. Pharmacist
- Hourly wage: $50 CAD
- With the growing population, Canada needs more pharmacists to support healthcare. Pharmacists in Canada are allowed to prescribe certain medications and renew prescriptions.
8. Chartered Professional Accountant
- Salary: $64,000 CAD
- Chartered professional accountants (CPAs) are in high demand as long as there are businesses and people paying taxes. They are among the highest-paid professionals in Canada. To become a CPA, you need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, and you also need to complete the CPA, PEP, or CPA prerequisite Education Program.
9. Audiologists
- Hourly wage: $45 CAD
- Audiologists and speech-language therapists help people with hearing loss or communication disorders. They work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, or private practice. To become an audiologist, you need a master’s degree in audiology or speech-language pathology. You also need to register with the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists Audiologists and other regulatory bodies, depending on the province you work in.
10. Welder
- Hourly wage: $24 CAD
- Welders are in high demand due to the growth in the manufacturing and fabrication sector in Canada. Immigrants with advanced welding skills are especially needed. Reading plans and blueprints is a valuable skill, but even less skilled welders are greatly needed. To become a welder, you need training and may also need trade certification.
11. Engineers
- Hourly wage: $45 CAD
- Specialized engineering careers, like Chemical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Mining and Geological Engineer, Petroleum Engineer, and Surveyors, are in high demand. To qualify as an engineer in Canada, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline. Depending on the position, a master’s degree or PhD may be required. Three to four years of supervised work and passing a practical exam are additional advantages.
12. Sales Representative
- Hourly wage: $35 CAD
- Sales representatives are one of the most in-demand jobs in Canada. Besides their hourly wage, they can earn commissions and profit-sharing. This job generally doesn’t require specific qualifications and is one of the highest-paying jobs that don’t involve sitting at a desk.
13. Electrician
- Hourly wage: $33 CAD
- Skilled electricians are needed in Canada, especially in the manufacturing sector. There’s a shortage of qualified electricians due to many retiring or choosing different careers. To become an electrician, you need apprenticeship or vocational training, and you may also need trade certification.
14. Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics
- Hourly pay range: $19 CAD to $50 CAD
- These positions are in high demand throughout Canada due to a shortage of skilled and qualified technicians. Industrial mechanics, especially those in the manufacturing sector, are particularly needed. Certification requirements vary by province, but generally, apprenticeship or vocational training is required, and trade certification may also be needed.
15. Data Scientists, Statisticians
- Hourly wage: $45 CAD
- With the increasing use of the internet and devices, there’s a growing demand for people who can interpret and make sense of data. Data Scientists, Statisticians, and Actuaries are trained to use mathematical techniques to solve problems and predict behaviour. To fit into this role, you probably need a graduate degree in math or statistics and knowledge of data science tools.
16. Optician
- Hourly wage: $40 CAD
- More than half of all Canadians wear eyeglasses, and as the population ages, the demand for opticians is growing. To become an optician, you need to complete an approved training program, pass the National Optical Sciences Examinations, and register with the regulatory body in your province or territory.
17. Pilots and Flying Instructors
- Median hourly salary: $45 CAD to $60 CAD
- Pilots, flying instructors, and flight engineers are needed not only for commercial and military flights but also for air transport, crop spraying, and aerial surveying. To become a pilot or flight instructor, you need to complete secondary school and be certified by a reputable flying or aviation school. Different aircraft may require different licenses for pilots. Flight engineers need the Flight Engineer License from Canadian authorities.
18. Business Development Executives
- Salary: $83,000 CAD
- The business landscape is changing with digital transformation, and organizations are seeking savvy marketing, public relations, and business development executives. These roles involve planning and executing advertising campaigns, conducting market research, client sourcing, and maintaining relationships with clients and the media. A university degree or college diploma in communications, public relations, marketing, or journalism is required, and several years of experience in related fields is an added advantage.
19. **Recruiter**
- Salary: $83,000 CAD
- As businesses grow, they need the best people to fill their job openings, and recruiters are in high demand, especially in fields like technology and engineering. To become a recruiter, start by getting a bachelor’s degree in a field like human relations. You can increase your earning potential by becoming a registered professional recruiter and a member of the Association of Professional Recruiters of Canada.
20. Clinical Psychologist
- Hourly wage: $40 CAD
- With mood disorders being common health concerns in Canada, psychologists are needed. To become a clinical psychologist in Canada, start with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and then pursue a master’s or doctorate degree, depending on your province or territory. You also need to meet the licensing requirements for clinical psychologists in your area.
21. Veterinarian
- Hourly wage: $25 CAD
- The animal healthcare sector in Canada is growing, but there’s a shortage of veterinarians, especially in Ontario. Canadians love their pets and are willing to spend more money on their health. To become a vet in Canada, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an approved veterinary college. After that, you need a license from the regulatory body in your province or territory.