On This Page You Will Find
- The 10 most in-demand jobs in Ontario
- Median salaries for each occupation
- Labour market outlooks for 2026 and beyond
- Why these occupations are in demand
- Immigration pathways for skilled workers
- Frequently asked questions about working in Ontario
Ontario remains Canada’s largest economy and one of the country’s strongest job markets for newcomers. Although employment growth has moderated from the record pace seen after the pandemic, employers across the province continue to face labour shortages in healthcare, skilled trades, technology, construction and many professional occupations.
Ontario added 80,900 net new jobs in 2025, with almost all of the gains coming in the private sector. At the same time, healthcare and social assistance continued to record the highest number of job vacancies of any sector, highlighting ongoing demand for skilled workers. The province also continues to attract more economic immigrants than any other in Canada, reinforcing its position as the country’s leading destination for newcomers seeking employment opportunities.
The province’s redesigned Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), introduced in 2026, places an even greater emphasis on addressing labour shortages by targeting workers with skills that employers need most. Together with Canada’s federal immigration programs, the OINP remains an important pathway for internationally trained professionals and tradespeople looking to build careers in Ontario.
The occupations below combine strong labour market demand, positive employment outlooks, competitive salaries and long-term career prospects based on the latest information from Ontario’s labour market forecasts and the Government of Canada’s Job Bank.
The province welcomes significant newcomers from the following programs:
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
- Federal Skilled Worker
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Trades
Here are the 10 most in-demand jobs in Ontario.
1. Registered Nurses (NOC 31301)
Registered nurses continue to top the list of Ontario’s most in-demand occupations. An aging population, increasing demand for healthcare services and ongoing staff shortages mean hospitals, long-term care homes, community health providers and clinics across the province are actively recruiting qualified nurses.
Healthcare and social assistance recorded the highest number of job vacancies of any sector in Ontario during 2025, underlining the continued need for registered nurses and other healthcare professionals. Provincial labour market forecasts also rate employment prospects for registered nurses as very good across most regions of Ontario.
Registered nurses assess patients, administer treatments and medications, coordinate care plans, educate patients and families, and work closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals. They can find employment in hospitals, nursing homes, community health centres, schools, public health agencies and private clinics.
Internationally educated nurses remain an important source of new talent for Ontario’s healthcare system. Many qualify for permanent residence through Express Entry or the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program after obtaining professional registration and meeting language and licensing requirements.
According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, registered nurses in Ontario earn a median annual salary of approximately $95,000, based on a standard full-time work week, with experienced nurses earning considerably more depending on their employer, location and area of specialization.
2. Accountants (NOC 11100)
Accountants remain in strong demand as Ontario businesses navigate economic growth, evolving tax rules, digital transformation and increasingly complex financial reporting requirements.
Employment opportunities exist across public accounting firms, financial institutions, government departments, healthcare organizations, manufacturers, technology companies and small businesses. Demand is particularly strong for professionals with Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation or those working towards certification.
Ontario’s labour market outlook rates employment prospects for accountants as good to very good in many regions of the province, supported by retirements and continued business expansion.
Accountants prepare financial statements, conduct audits, develop budgets, advise on taxation, ensure regulatory compliance and help organizations improve financial performance. Their work has also expanded to include data analytics, risk management and strategic financial planning.
The Job Bank reports that accountants in Ontario earn a median annual salary of approximately $84,000, with experienced professionals and those in management or specialized advisory roles earning significantly higher incomes.
3. Administrative Assistants (NOC 13110)
Administrative assistants continue to play an essential role across Ontario’s public and private sectors. Although many routine office tasks have become automated, organizations still rely on skilled administrative professionals to coordinate operations, manage communications and support increasingly complex workplaces.
Administrative assistants work in virtually every industry, including healthcare, education, legal services, finance, construction, manufacturing and government.
Ontario’s labour market forecasts indicate steady demand over the coming years, driven largely by replacement hiring as experienced workers retire and by continued growth in service industries.
Typical responsibilities include preparing correspondence, coordinating meetings, maintaining records, managing schedules, supporting executives and ensuring offices operate efficiently.
According to Job Bank data, administrative assistants earn a median annual salary of approximately $53,000 in Ontario, with higher salaries available for executive assistants and those working in specialized industries such as legal or healthcare administration.
4. Welders (NOC 72106)
Skilled trades remain critical to Ontario’s economy, and welders continue to be in demand across manufacturing, construction, transportation, mining and industrial maintenance.
Ontario employers are investing heavily in housing, infrastructure, transit projects and advanced manufacturing facilities. These projects require experienced welders who can fabricate, repair and assemble metal structures and components safely and accurately.
Welders work with engineering drawings, operate specialized equipment and ensure finished products meet strict quality standards. Many also develop skills in robotic welding and automated manufacturing systems as industry adopts new technologies.
Ontario’s labour market forecasts indicate that opportunities continue to arise through retirements and replacement demand, particularly in manufacturing and construction, although employment prospects vary by region.
According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, welders in Ontario typically earn a median wage of around $30 an hour, equivalent to approximately $58,500 annually based on a standard full-time work week. Experienced welders working in specialized industries can earn considerably more.
5. Cooks (NOC 63200)
Ontario’s hospitality industry continues to recover and expand, creating sustained demand for qualified cooks throughout the province.
Restaurants, hotels, resorts, hospitals, long-term care homes, schools and catering companies all require skilled cooks. Demand is particularly strong in larger urban centres and popular tourism destinations, where employers continue to face recruitment challenges.
Professional cooks prepare complete meals, supervise kitchen operations, maintain food safety standards and help develop menus. Those with experience in international cuisines are especially valuable as Ontario’s population becomes increasingly diverse.
The occupation also offers opportunities for career progression into supervisory and management positions, including sous chef, executive chef and food service manager.
According to Job Bank, cooks in Ontario earn a median annual salary of approximately $40,000, although experienced chefs and those working in high-end restaurants or hotel kitchens can earn substantially higher wages.
6. Software Developers (NOC 21232)
Software developers remain among Ontario’s most sought-after professionals despite a more competitive technology hiring environment than immediately after the pandemic.
Ontario continues to be Canada’s largest technology hub, with major employers located in Toronto, Ottawa, Waterloo, Mississauga and other innovation centres. Businesses across finance, healthcare, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, education and government continue to invest in software development and digital transformation.
Software developers design, build, test and maintain applications, cloud platforms, mobile software and enterprise systems. Increasingly, employers are also seeking experience with artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data engineering and machine learning.
While hiring has become more selective, demand remains strong for experienced developers with current technical skills and the ability to work across multiple programming languages and platforms. The occupation also continues to feature prominently in skilled immigration pathways because of its long-term contribution to Ontario’s knowledge economy.
The Government of Canada’s Job Bank reports that software developers in Ontario earn a median salary of roughly $100,000 per year, with experienced professionals in senior technical or leadership roles often earning significantly more.
7. Physicians (NOC 31102)
Ontario continues to face a significant shortage of family physicians and other medical specialists, making doctors among the province’s most in-demand professionals.
An aging population, increasing healthcare needs and physician retirements have placed growing pressure on Ontario’s healthcare system. The provincial government has committed to expanding access to primary care and reducing wait times, increasing demand for qualified physicians in both urban and rural communities.
Family physicians diagnose and treat illnesses, provide preventive care, manage chronic conditions and coordinate patient care with specialists and other healthcare providers. Opportunities also exist in hospitals, community health centres, walk-in clinics, academic institutions and public health organizations.
Internationally trained physicians can qualify to practise in Ontario, although they must meet licensing requirements through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Several provincial and federal initiatives are also helping internationally educated doctors enter the workforce more quickly.
According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, family physicians in Ontario earn a median annual income of approximately $275,000, although earnings vary widely depending on practice model, location and specialization.
8. Electricians (NOC 72200)
Electricians remain among Ontario’s most sought-after skilled tradespeople as the province invests in housing construction, transportation infrastructure, clean energy projects and advanced manufacturing.
Residential, commercial and industrial electricians are all in strong demand. Ontario’s transition to electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, renewable energy and major infrastructure projects is expected to sustain employment opportunities well into the next decade.
Electricians install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair electrical systems in homes, commercial buildings, factories and infrastructure projects. Many also specialize in industrial automation, control systems or renewable energy installations.
Ontario’s labour market outlook rates employment prospects for electricians as good or very good across much of the province, supported by both new construction and replacement demand as experienced tradespeople retire.
According to Job Bank, electricians in Ontario earn a median annual salary of approximately $75,000, with experienced tradespeople, union members and those working in industrial settings often earning considerably more.
9. Carpenters (NOC 72310)
Strong residential construction, infrastructure investment and commercial development continue to drive demand for carpenters across Ontario.
The province’s ambitious housing targets have placed additional pressure on employers to recruit skilled construction workers capable of building new homes, apartments and public infrastructure.
Carpenters construct, install, maintain and repair structures made from wood, steel framing and other materials. They work on residential developments, commercial buildings, renovation projects and major infrastructure works.
Employment prospects remain positive throughout much of Ontario, particularly in rapidly growing urban centres where housing construction remains a priority.
According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, carpenters in Ontario earn a median annual salary of approximately $61,000, with experienced tradespeople and contractors often earning substantially higher incomes.
10. Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations Managers (NOC 10022)
Businesses across Ontario continue to invest in marketing, digital communications and brand development, keeping experienced marketing and advertising managers in demand.
As organizations increasingly compete online, employers are seeking professionals who can combine traditional marketing expertise with digital strategy, data analytics, social media, content marketing and artificial intelligence tools.
Advertising, marketing and public relations managers develop communications strategies, oversee campaigns, manage teams, analyse market trends and help organizations strengthen their brands and customer relationships.
Employment opportunities exist across virtually every sector, including technology, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, retail, education, government and professional services.
According to Job Bank, these professionals earn a median annual salary of approximately $115,000 in Ontario, with senior leaders in larger organizations frequently earning significantly more.
Why These Jobs Remain In Demand
Although Ontario’s labour market has cooled from the extraordinary pace of growth seen immediately after the pandemic, demand for skilled workers remains strong across many sectors.
Healthcare continues to experience the province’s largest labour shortages, while construction and skilled trades are being driven by housing and infrastructure investment. Technology occupations remain critical to Ontario’s innovation economy, and professional occupations such as accounting, administration and marketing continue to support businesses across every industry.
For immigrants, these occupations offer some of the strongest long-term employment prospects. Many are also eligible under Express Entry category-based selection or Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program streams, making them attractive options for those seeking permanent residence while building a career in Canada’s largest provincial economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most in-demand jobs in Ontario?
Healthcare professionals, skilled tradespeople, technology workers and experienced business professionals remain among Ontario’s most sought-after employees. Registered nurses, physicians, electricians, welders, software developers, accountants, carpenters and cooks all continue to enjoy strong employment prospects because of labour shortages, retirements and ongoing economic growth across the province.
Which jobs are best for immigrants moving to Ontario?
Jobs that align with Ontario’s labour shortages generally offer the strongest opportunities for newcomers. Healthcare occupations, skilled trades, engineering, technology and many professional roles are regularly targeted through federal immigration programs and the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. Applicants with relevant work experience, language ability and recognised credentials often have the best prospects.
Does Ontario still have a labour shortage?
Yes. While Ontario’s labour market has become more balanced since the post-pandemic hiring surge, many industries continue to face shortages of qualified workers. Healthcare, construction, skilled trades, technology and some professional occupations remain under pressure due to population growth, retirements and ongoing demand for skilled employees across the province.
How can immigrants qualify to work in regulated professions in Ontario?
Some occupations, including registered nurses, physicians and electricians, require professional licensing before newcomers can practise independently in Ontario. Applicants typically need their education assessed, meet language requirements and complete registration with the relevant provincial regulatory body. Requirements vary depending on the occupation and where qualifications were obtained.
Which immigration programs can help skilled workers move to Ontario?
Many skilled workers qualify through Express Entry, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Others may receive a nomination through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, which targets workers in occupations facing labour shortages and those with skills needed by Ontario employers.