Top 20 Most In-Demand Jobs in Canada for Immigrants

Are you migrating to Canada and you want to avoid being unemployed? If yes, then you need to learn about the top 20 most in demand jobs in Canada for immigrant. There are a lot of opportunities for legal immigrants moving to Canada.

With growing retirements rates expected among the baby boomer generation (i.e. people born between the years of about 1946 and 1965), there is an anticipated labor shortage which the government is ready to mitigate.

According to predictions, by 2024 one in five Canadians will likely be 65 or older. This is a pointer that the baby boomer generation constitutes a large number of Canada’s population. On the other hand, this presents huge opportunities for younger Canadians and legal immigrants to access jobs.

So, if you’re planning or already immigrated to Canada, you should explore these top-paying high-demand jobs. Importantly, you need to follow the right procedures to secure a job in Canada.

Working in Canada

Canada offers many job opportunities in various exciting fields. However, healthcare, social work/assistance and technology are among the biggest job market in Canada. This is simply because health and quality life is of utmost priority in the country.

Eligibility to work in Canada

Job opportunities are available for both skilled and unskilled workers in Canada. Skilled workers are chosen majorly based on the following criteria:

• Prove of adequate funds to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada
• Have a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree
• Have skilled work experience at least 1 year of full-time and
• Meet minimum language requirements of English and/or French language

Top 20 Most In-Demand Jobs in Canada for Immigrants

Below is the list of the 20 most in-demand jobs in Canada.

1. Registered Nurse

Median hourly wage: $37 CAD

One of the Government of Canada’s most in-demand jobs is that of a registered nurse. Also going with the fact that Canada’s population is ageing so naturally more healthcare professionals are needed to care for the elderly.

For this reason, registered nurses have become one of the most in-demand professions in the country and we don’t see this trend going anywhere. The best part is that they are needed throughout the country; their service isn’t restricted by location.

To qualify as a practising nurse in Canada, you’ll need a degree or diploma in nursing and registration with the local regulatory authority.

2. Software Engineer and Designer

Median hourly wage: $44 CAD

Canada presents a massive job opportunity window for those interested in technical careers. The country’s industrial revolution is an exciting one for engineers. Canada’s growth in the web, telecommunications and mobile technology sectors has increased the demand for more software engineers, programmers and designers.

To get a tech job in Canada as an immigrant, you need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering or any related field. Although these professions are often self-taught, experience, skill and creativity is the distinguishing factor here. Advanced or post-graduate education is also an added advantage.

2. Truck Driver

Median hourly wage: $25 CAD

Truck drivers job is in high demand in Canada for delivering goods to the entire nation. In fact, without truck drivers, Canada’s economy would stagnate and many Canadians would be left with no food and clothing. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough young adults entering the transport industry. For this reason, the country will be short of more than 27,000 in the coming years.

To qualify as a truck driver in Canada, you need adequate truck driving training. You’ll also need licensing and endorsement to qualify as a truck driver.

3. Account Manager

Median Salary: $83,000 CAD

Account managers are in high demand in Canada. The job of an account manager is to handle a company’s business with specific customers. To qualify as an account manager in Canada, you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration or any related discipline. Advanced degree and work experience are also added advantage.

4. Anesthesiologist

Median Salary: $298,000 CAD

Medical professionals will remain in demand in Canada for several years to come. They are among the highest-paid professionals in Canada. Anesthesiologists are one of the highest paying medical specialties in the world and in Canada.

To qualify as an anesthesiologist in Canada, you need to study for an undergraduate degree, then you need to complete a medical degree and do at least five years of residency training. Finally, you need to pass the special exams of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

5. Dentists

Median Salary: $77,000 CAD

Dentists are highly sought after in Canada. To qualify as a practising Dentist, you will need a university degree from a recognized dental program. You will need to be licensed by a provincial or territorial regulatory body. Transitioning into specialized dental practice requires additional training.

6. Pharmacist

Median hourly wage: $50 CAD

As earlier mentioned, medical professionals are in high demand in Canada to help keep the growing population happy and healthy. More pharmacists will lend a hand to help make more healthcare workers available across the provinces. In Canada, only Pharmacists are allowed to prescribe certain medications and renew prescriptions.

7. Chartered Professional Accountant

Median Salary: $64,000 CAD

There is a high demand for chartered professional accountants (CPAs) as long there are businesses and people who need to pay taxes. CPAs are among the highest paid professionals in Canada.

To qualify as a chartered professional accountant in Canada, you need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field of study. You’ll also need to complete the CPA, PEP or CPA prerequisite Education Program.

8. Audiologists

Median hourly wage: $45 CAD

Audiologists and speech language therapists assist people with hearing loss or communication disorders on the path of recovery and expressing themselves. These skilled professionals can work in hospitals, rehabilitation centre or engage in private practice. Some of the job descriptions include conducting diagnosis, rehabilitation programs for patients and engaging in speech disorders or hearing loss related research.

To qualify as an Audiologist you will need a master’s degree in audiology or speech-language pathology. You will also be expected to register with the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists and with other regulatory bodies, depending on which province you work in.

9. Welder

Median hourly wage: $24 CAD

Due to the growth in the manufacturing and fabrication sector of the Canadian economy, they have been a huge demand for welders. Immigrants with advanced welding skills like FCAW and SMAW are especially in great demand in the country. It will be very easy for you to find a job if you can read plans and blueprints but even less skilled welders are also greatly needed.

10. Engineers

Median hourly wage: $45 CAD

Specialized Engineering careers have been found to consistently rank high on the list of “Eligible Federal Skilled Worker Occupations”. Some of the high demand engineering professions include Chemical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Mining and Geological Engineer, Petroleum Engineer and Surveyors.

To qualify as an Engineer who can practice 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 engaging in supervised work and passing a practical exam are an additional advantage.

11. Sales Representative

Median hourly wage: $35 CAD

Sales representatives are one of the most in-demand jobs in Canada. Apart from their hourly wage, they’re also entitled to commissions and profit-sharing. It generally doesn’t require any specific qualifications and is one of the highest-paying jobs that don’t involve sitting at a desk.

12. Electrician

Median hourly wage: $33 CAD

Canada is in need of skilled electricians. They aren’t enough qualified electricians in Canada to make up for the great number of those who are retiring and choosing different career paths. Industrial electricians are particularly needed, especially those working in the manufacturing sector.

To qualify as an electrician, you need apprenticeship or vocational training. You may also need trade certification.

13. Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics

Hourly pay range: $19 CAD and $50 CAD

Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics are positions that are in high demand throughout Canada. There aren’t enough skilled and qualified technicians to make up for the increasing number of retirees and those choosing different career paths. Skilled Industrial mechanics are also particularly needed especially those working in the manufacturing sector.

The required certification to work as a Professional Technologist in Canada varies from province to province. Generally, Apprenticeship or vocational training is what is required or you may also need trade certification.

14. Data Scientists, Statisticians

Median hourly wage: $45 CAD

On a daily basis, our internet and device usage is culminating in exponentially growing amounts of data. The demand for people who can interpret it and make sense of it is also growing. Data Scientists, Statisticians and Actuaries are trained to use mathematical techniques to build models that solve problems and predict consumer or user behaviour and outcomes. To fit into this role you will probably need a graduate degree in math or statistics and knowledge of other data science tools.

15. Optician

Median hourly wage: $40 CAD

More than half of all Canadians wear eyeglasses and as the population ages and more people experience eye strain from using electronic screens, this number will grow. This means an increasing demand for dispensing opticians.

To become an optician, you need to complete an approved training program, pass the National Optical Sciences Examinations and then register with the regulatory body in your province or territory.

16. Pilots and Flying Instructors

The median hourly salary for pilots, flying instructors and flight engineers is about $45 CAD to $60 CAD.

Pilots are not only limited to commercial and military flights. They may also be involved in air transport, crop spraying, aerial surveying and so on. Flight engineers are the ones who conduct pre-flight inspections, systems and equipment maintenance. Flying instructors on the other hand train new pilots or prepare them for licensing examinations.

Pilots and flight instructors are required to complete secondary school and be certified by a reputable flying or aviation school. It should be noted that different aircraft require a different license for pilots. Flight engineers will also need the Flight Engineer License from Canada authorities.

17. Business Development Executives

Median Salary: $83,000 CAD

The method of doing business is gradually changing with the wave of the digital transformation sweeping across board. Organizations and businesses are in search of marketing, public relations manager and business development executives who are savvy in this area. In this role, you’ll be a face or representative of a brand or organization’s public image. Job responsibilities include planning and execution of advertising campaigns (online and offline), conducting and analyzing market research, client sourcing and maintaining relationships with clients and the media etc.

A university degree or college diploma in communications, public relations, marketing or journalism is a requirement. As an added advantage, you’ll also need a couple of years experience in sales, marketing, public relations, business administration, commerce or economics under your sleeves.

18. Recruiter

Median Salary: $83,000 CAD

As businesses expand, they need the best candidates to fill the available positions and recruiters are highly in demand, especially in fields like technology and engineering. To become a recruiter, you first need to get a bachelor’s degree in a field such as 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.

19. Clinical Psychologist

Median hourly wage: $40 CAD

With mood disorders among the most common health concerns in Canada, psychologists are in great demand. To become a clinical psychologist in Canada, you need to start with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and then continue on to obtain either 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 province or territory.

20. Veterinarian

Median hourly wage: $25 CAD

The animal healthcare sector in Canada is an upcoming one. Even with that, there is a shortage of veterinarians in Canada, especially in Ontario. Canadians love pets and are willing to spend more money on them than ever before in order to ensure that they are healthy and well cared for.

To become a vet in Canada, you need to get a doctor of veterinary medicine, or DVM, a degree from an approved veterinary college. Then you need a licence from the regulatory body in your province or territory.