Canada plans to welcome nearly 1.5 million newcomers over the next three years. If you’re starting a new life here, finding a dependable source of income is a top priority. To help you focus your job search, MoneySense has compiled a concise guide to fast-growing industries and in-demand roles across Canada. This overview draws on industry trends and expert advice from staffing agencies, recruiters, government resources and Canada’s Job Bank. It also highlights how to research the job market and where to find free, government-funded support for newcomers.
Use Canada’s Job Bank search tool for newcomers to find opportunities by location and occupation.
Top 5 industries for newcomers to Canada
1. Jobs in IT and technology
Canada’s information technology sector faces a persistent shortage of skilled workers—a situation intensified by the pandemic. Federal programs such as Express Entry, Start-up Visas and the Global Skills Strategy aim to attract tech talent, and some provinces offer accelerated pathways for tech professionals.
In-demand roles:
- Software developers and programmers
- Data analysts and data scientists
- IT project managers
- Computer network technicians
- Security analysts
Training and credentials: Many IT roles are not strictly regulated, so a formal license is usually unnecessary. However, employers often look for practical skills or vendor-specific certifications. Colleges, universities and private training providers across Canada offer short courses and longer programs to bridge skill gaps.
Industry hotspots: Tech jobs are found across the country, with concentrations in the Toronto–Waterloo Corridor, Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Quebec City and Halifax. Tech expertise is also in demand across other sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, banking and retail.
Salary range: Pay in tech varies widely by role and location. Entry-level help-desk positions can start around the mid tens of thousands annually, while senior executives and specialized developers can earn six-figure salaries in major cities.
Resources for IT and tech workers
- Government programs: Express Entry, Start-up Visas, Global Skills Strategy
- Alberta Express Entry Stream – Accelerated Tech Pathway
- Canada’s Association of Information Technology Professionals
- CommuniTech job board
- TechTalent job board
- Information technology courses
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2. Jobs in health care
Demand for healthcare workers is very high across Canada. Health occupations were included in the federal category-based selection process for priority jobs and a dedicated immigration stream for healthcare workers was launched recently. Several provinces also run express-entry or dedicated pathways to attract health professionals quickly.
In-demand roles: Positions range from hospital administrative roles (medical office assistants, schedulers) and unregulated care providers (personal support workers, physician assistants) to regulated professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists). The need for nurses and family physicians is especially acute, with projected shortages outpacing the number of job seekers.
Training and credentials: Requirements vary by occupation and province. Administrative and unregulated roles often need local training certificates, while regulated professions require credential recognition and licensing, which can be time-consuming and costly. Newcomers should use the Foreign Credential Recognition resources to get started.
Industry hotspots: Health-worker demand is widespread, with particularly strong needs in the territories and in several provinces. Some provinces offer free training for roles like personal support workers, often tied to employment in underserved communities.
Salary range: Pay varies by role, experience and region. For example, medical administrative assistants can earn hourly rates ranging from under $20 to mid-$30s depending on the area, registered nurses have a wide hourly range with a national median around $40 per hour, and family physicians’ annual earnings vary significantly by province.
Resources for health care workers
- HealthCareCAN and its job board
- British Columbia priority healthcare occupations
- Alberta Dedicated Healthcare Pathway
- Nova Scotia Healthcare Professionals Immigration Pilot
- Job Bank Foreign Credential Recognition Tool
- Ontario Learn and Stay Grant
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3. Jobs in skilled trades
Skilled trades remain a vital source of employment and a priority for immigration. Federal and provincial initiatives target trades such as carpentry, plumbing and electrical work, and programs exist to attract and support apprentices and licensed tradespeople.
In-demand trades:
- Cooks
- Industrial electricians
- Millwrights
- Painters and decorators
- Welders
Training and credentials: Apprenticeships, trade certificates or Red Seal endorsements are commonly required for many trades. Financial supports such as apprenticeship grants and provincial programs can help cover training costs.
Industry hotspots: Demand for specific trades varies by region. For instance, cooks are needed in several provinces and territories, while other trades show stronger demand in areas with active construction and industrial projects.
Salary range: Wages depend on skill level and location. Cooks and welders show broad hourly ranges across provinces, with medians reflecting regional labour markets.
Resources for skilled trades
- Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades stream
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
- Red Seal trades information
- Government grants and apprenticeship funding
- Skilled Trade Jobs Canada job board
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4. Jobs in banking and finance
Banking and finance are core parts of Canada’s economy, offering roles from entry-level clerks to senior executives. Financial advisors and a variety of analyst positions are among the most in-demand jobs. The sector also includes a growing fintech and investment landscape that actively recruits diverse talent, including newcomers.
Training and credentials: Some roles require licences or professional designations such as mutual funds registration, CFA or CPA. Advanced degrees like an MBA or Master of Finance can improve prospects for mid- and senior-level positions.
Industry hotspots: Major banks and financial institutions operate nationwide and often partner with immigrant-serving organizations to recruit skilled newcomers. City centres offer the most opportunities in traditional finance and fintech hubs.
Salary range: Compensation varies widely. Entry-level positions may start near minimum wage, while branch managers, analysts and specialists can earn considerably more depending on experience and location.
Resources for banking and finance workers
- The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC)
- Fintechs Canada
- Canadian Securities Institute
- ACCES Employment job search services
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5. Jobs in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math)
STEM occupations remain a strategic focus as Canada invests in innovation and competitiveness. These roles appear across industries such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, energy and academia. Engineers—electrical, aerospace, software and others—are particularly sought after.
Training and credentials: Many STEM jobs require post-secondary degrees; advanced roles may need master’s degrees or PhDs. Some occupations require professional licensing or registration, such as engineers who seek a P.Eng. designation. For immigration pathways that prioritize STEM, relevant work experience is often required.
Industry hotspots: STEM positions are widespread but concentrated in larger urban centres like Toronto and Vancouver. Smaller centres can offer strong opportunities with less competition for the right specializations.
Salary range: STEM compensation varies by job and experience. For example, software engineers and engineering managers show wide hourly and annual ranges depending on location and seniority.
Resources for STEM workers
- Government Express Entry program for skilled immigrants
- Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST)
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How to find a job in Canada: Job search tips for newcomers
No matter your industry, these five practical tips can speed up your job search and improve your chances of success.
- Learn about NOCs: The National Occupational Classification (NOC) describes job titles, duties, competencies and typical education or training. Immigration programs and many employers refer to NOC codes, so familiarizing yourself with them helps you match your skills to available roles.
- Be ready to retool and upskill: About one-fifth of occupations are regulated in Canada. Find out whether your profession requires certification, licences or registration in the province where you plan to work. Use government resources for foreign credential recognition to identify required documents and processes.
- Explore education and training options: Many community colleges and universities offer targeted programs to meet Canadian employers’ expectations. Check designated learning institutions and available grants or incentives for training and skill development.
- Understand immigration pathways: Provincial and territorial nominee programs and federal immigration streams each have their own eligibility criteria, often including language tests, work experience and credential recognition. Review these carefully before applying.
- Consider more than salary: Compare wages alongside the local cost of living, housing and transportation. A higher wage in a large city may be offset by steep housing costs, so evaluate total living expenses when deciding where to apply.
Canadian job websites and industry job boards
Research thoroughly by checking national job sites, industry boards and employer career pages. The Job Bank and professional associations are good starting points. LinkedIn is useful for networking and setting job alerts, but always verify that posted vacancies are still active before investing time in an application.
Take advantage of job-search assistance—but watch out for scams
Newcomers can be targeted by fraudulent job offers that demand fees or personal information. Be cautious of opportunities that seem too good to be true and avoid any employer that asks you to pay for a job. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre provides guidance on identifying employment scams.
For trustworthy, free support, look for organizations and career services that are clearly marked as funded by the Government of Canada or by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. These services are typically offered at no cost and are vetted by government programs. If you attend a college or university, use your school’s career centre for job listings, résumé help and interview preparation.
Further reading
- Common questions from newcomers about working in Canada
- Side hustles and self-employment in Canada: taxes and tips
- Moving to Canada to work: new pathways and programs
- What to look for in your first job after graduation
- Grant money for school and skills training
This article is sponsored.
This paid post is informational and may feature a client’s product or service. It was written and edited by MoneySense contributors with client approval.
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