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March 29, 2018 – Canada’s federal government plans to welcome near 1 million immigrants over the next three years.
Of those, economic immigrants will comprise more than half. Immigration authorities target skilled workers who are invited to Canada through the Canada Express Entry system. With the labour market constantly evolving to reflect new trends and business requirements, many skilled workers will fill thousands of in-demand jobs in Canada.
Immigration.ca highlights the top eight most in-demand high skilled worker occupations in Canada for 2018. We also compare these most popular occupations in the labour market with the intended occupations of candidates who were approved under the Canada Express Entry system during the past 12 months.
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Top 8 In-Demand Skilled Worker Jobs in Canada for 2018
- Sales Representative
A good Sales Representative can make a business successful, which is why they are some of the most in-demand skilled workers in Canada, with more than 8,500 vacancies posted on the Job Bank. Business to customer and business to business roles are included. The base salary approaching $64,000 is typically complemented with commission incentives.
- Salary range: $52,000 to $64,000
- 8,632 vacancies on Job Bank
| NOC code | Job description | NOC |
| 6211 | Retail sales supervisors | B |
| 6221 | Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade | B |
| 6222 | Retail and wholesale buyers | B |
| 6231 | Insurance agents and brokers | B |
| 6232 | Real estate agents and salespersons | B |
| 6235 | Financial sales representatives | B |
- Accountant
The bigger the business, the more important the Accountant becomes, which is why this occupation is the second-most in-demand skilled worker position in Canada. An important part of the role is advising clients on taxation compliance, but overall it is about helping businesses and individuals manage their finances. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation has a strong history of steady employment in Canada and this is expected to continue.
- Salary range: $63,000 to $75,000
- 720 vacancies on Job Bank
| NOC code | Job description | NOC |
| 0111 | Financial managers | 0 |
| 1111 | Financial auditors and accountants | A |
- Engineering Project Manager
When a construction project runs smoothly, you can be sure there is an experienced Engineering Project Manager involved. Canada has some important indicators explaining why there is high demand for this position, including a booming housing market and a federal government planning and implementing multiple major infrastructure projects.
Salary range: $74,000 to $92,000
- 47 vacancies on Job Bank
| NOC code | Job description | NOC |
| 0211 | Engineering managers | 0 |
- Business Analyst
A Business Analyst is constantly looking for ways to make a business run more smoothly and efficiently, meaning a range of technology skills and financial acumen is required, depending on the specifics of the role. Larger operations may employ several analysts for different areas of their business.
Salary range: $73,000 to $87,000
- 1,080 vacancies on Job Bank
| NOC code | Job description | NOC |
| 1122 | Professional occupations in business management consulting | A |
| 2171 | Information systems analysts and consultants | A |
| 4162 | Economists and economic policy researchers and analysts | A |
| 4163 | Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants | A |
- IT Project Manager
It goes without saying that an IT Project Manager has to have polished technology skills, but the role involves balancing that with the ability to manage time, staff and the project’s budget. They are responsible for completing intricate technology projects that can help a business grow.
Salary range: $92,000 to $114,000
- 1,989 vacancies on Job Bank
| NOC code | Job description | NOC |
| 0213 | Computer and information systems managers | 0 |
- Account Manager
Account Managers are in charge of keeping existing customers happy and uncovering potential new customers, making them central to the success of a business. They are a company’s primary point of contact in business to business relationships.
- Salary range: $75,000 to $92,000
- 186 vacancies on Job Bank
| NOC code | Job description | NOC |
| 0125 | Other business services managers | 0 |
| 0601 | Corporate sales managers | 0 |
- Software Engineer
From that clever application on your smartphone to major computer programs, a good Software Developer is always a crucial part of te development. A vast range of industries now rely on software to function, meaning it is no longer just technology companies who are building new applications and programs. Skilled candidates will have their pick of the jobs in a candidate-driven field.
Salary range: $83,000 to $99,000
- 267 vacancies on Job Bank
| NOC code | Job description | NOC |
| 2173 | Software engineers and designers | A |
- Recruiter
Where an economy is thriving and a jobs market is healthy, good Recruiters are important in ensuring businesses fill their vacancies with the right calibre of staff. Businesses are expanding all over Canada, meaning new employees are required, and Recruiters ensure a company finds the person it needs.
Salary range: $59,000 to $71,000
- 89 vacancies on Job Bank
| NOC code | Job description | NOC |
| 1223 | Human resources and recruitment officers | B |
How Express Entry Admissions Compare
Immigration.ca has reviewed statistics under the Canada immigration Express Entry system to compile a list of the top occupations of applicants who were invited to apply for permanent residence in 2017.
Our top ten list of the occupations under Express Entry covering 2017 shows overwhelmingly that professional occupations in natural and applied sciences, (NOC 21) is number one, with almost triple the admission of the second-placed occupation in 2017.
Top 2017 Express Entry Admissions by Intended Occupation
| Position | NOC Code | Job Description | Number of 2017 Admissions |
| 1 | 21 | Professional occupations in natural and applied sciences | 9,620 |
| 2 | 22 | Technical occupations related to natural and applied sciences | 3,450 |
| 3 | 12 | Administrative and financial supervisors and administrative occupations | 3,355 |
| 4 | 11 | Professional occupations in business and finance | 3,340 |
| 5 | 01-05 | Specialized middle management occupations | 2,500 |
| 6 | 63 | Service supervisors and specialized service occupations | 2,495 |
| 7 | 62 | Retail sales supervisors and specialized sales occupations | 1,875 |
| 8 | 40 | Professional occupations in education services | 1,770 |
| 9 | 06 | Middle management occupations in retail and wholesale trade and customer services | 1,595 |
| 10 | 72 | Industrial, electrical and construction trades | 1,275 |
| Total Admissions Through Express Entry in 2017 | 65,415 | ||
Source: IRCC
On the list of in-demand 2018 positions, Software Engineers (NOC 2173) and Information Systems Analysts and Consultants (NOC 2171), are the top 2 NOC 21 jobs included.
Importantly, the second occupation on the Express Entry admissions list is NOC 22: technical occupations related to natural and applied sciences. This makes technology-related occupations even more interesting.
An extensive list of NOC codes feature in both the admission list and the in-demand occupation list, namely: 21, 12, 11, 01-05, 62 and 06.
This significant correlation shows the power of the Express Entry system in targeting economic immigrants who are required to make up shortfalls in the Canadian labour market.
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