Top 8 Most In-Demand Jobs In Canada for Skilled Foreign Workers in 2024

Canada plans to welcome 485,000 new immigrants in 2024, according to its latest Immigration Levels Plan.

A large reason for such high immigration targets in Canada’s near future is the country’s labour needs, which have only been exacerbated due to its rapidly ageing population in recent years. 

Canada needs workers to an extent that relying solely on Canadians is just not an option for the government anymore. 

Businesses have been aggressively lobbying to attract economic immigrants to fill Canada’s worker short-falls in fields that are facing a talent scarcity, and even the newly elected Immigration Minister Marc Miller asserted that the unprecedentedly high immigration targets would be maintained – if not increased – going forward. 

In a market so fertile for skilled foreign workers, it becomes vital to have an informed perspective on the most in-demand jobs in Canada for immigrants. 

That is why we have compiled a list dealing with the most in-demand jobs in Canada, using data from Job Bank of the Government of Canada. 

1. Web Developer (NOC 21234)

Web developers are assigned with designing and coding programs on the basis of their users’ needs, using a variety of programming languages. 

They analyze users’ needs, based on which they then implement content, graphics, performance, and website capacity. 

They are primarily employed by computer software development firms, IT units throughout public and private sectors, advertising agencies, or they may be self-employed. 

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer programming, web development, or software engineering is typically required for employment; alternatively, web developers could complete a college program in computer science or a related field. 

Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Quebec have the best prospects for a career in web development, and the expected median hourly salary is $30. Web Developer is one of the most in-demand jobs in Canada.

2. Registered Nurse (RN) (NOC 31301)

RNs and registered psychiatric nurses are responsible for providing direct nursing care to patients, delivering health education programs, and providing consultative services related to issues that are relevant to the nursing practice. 

As a registered nurse, you may be able to secure employment in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, rehab centers, or extended care facilities.

To become a nurse in Canada, completion of a university, college or other approved nursing program is a must. Furthermore, if you are looking at specializing in a particular branch of nursing practice, additional academic training needs to be pursued. 

You may need certification from a regulatory authority before starting work as a registered nurse. The following table helps guide you on whether this occupation is regulated in your preferred province or territory:

Nursing Regulatory Bodies By Province

RNs see great prospects in all provinces and territories. The median hourly wage is $40. The shortage of nurses makes the position one of the most in-demand jobs in Canada.

3. Mechanical Engineer (NOC 21301)

Canada mechanical engineers research, design, and develop machinery and heating, ventilation and air conditioning, power generating, transportation, processing, and manufacturing systems. They also evaluate, operate, and maintain mechanical systems. 

Mechanical engineers typically work in consulting firms, power-generating utilities, and in a wide range of manufacturing, processing, and transportation industries. Or, they may be self-employed. 

A university degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or a doctorate is preferable. The median hourly wage is $41.03, and the best prospects for a career in mechanical engineering are in Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.  

4. HR Manager (NOC 10011)

This profession is involved with talent acquisition and retention in firms, and is therefore particularly relevant for Canadian employers looking to fill their large number of job vacancies, making it one of the most in-demand jobs in Canada.

According to Job Bank, human resources managers “plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations of human resources and personnel departments.” 

They also “develop and implement policies, programs and procedures regarding human resource planning, recruitment, collective bargaining, training and development, occupation classification and pay and benefit administration.”

In short, they bridge the gap between business performance optimization and the actual human components in a business that ensure said optimization. 

A bachelor’s degree in personnel management could be especially useful if you are looking to gain employment in this industry. 

This may include a degree in business administration, industrial relations, commerce, or the completion of a professional development program in personnel administration. 

The best HR manager prospects can be found in Alberta, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Yukon, and the median wage could range between a low of $33.17, to a high of $71.79 per hour. 

5. Accountant/Bookkeeper (11100)

Accounting technicians are specialists in helping businesses manage their financial costs. 

They also ensure accuracy and compliance with accounting standards and procedures. They are thus tasked with organizing, planning, and administering accounting systems for individuals and establishments. 

They can work as an in-house employee at a particular company or as an independent freelancer. 

As per the government’s Job Bank, employment requirements for this profession are as follows:

• Chartered professional accountants, chartered accountants (CPA, CA) require a university degree and completion of a professional training program approved by a provincial Institute of Chartered Accountants and, depending on the province, either two years or 30 months of on-the-job training and membership in a provincial Institute of Chartered Accountants upon successful completion of the Uniform Evaluation (UFE).
• Chartered professional accountants, certified general accountants (CPA, CGA) and chartered professional accountants, certified management accountants (CPA, CMA) require a university degree and completion of an approved training program and several years of on-the-job training and certification with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.
• Auditors require education, training and recognition as indicated for chartered professional accountants, chartered accountants (CPA, CA), chartered professional accountants, certified general accountants (CPA, CGA) or chartered professional accountants, certified management accountants (CPA, CMA) and some experience as an accountant.

A certification from a regulatory authority before working may also be needed, for which you need to research if the occupation is regulated in your preferred province or territory. 

Quebec, BC, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Yukon have the best prospects for accountants. The median hourly wage is $38.46. 

6. Biomedical Engineer (NOC 21399)

With growing advances in healthcare technology, the demand for professionals within this field is growing exponentially. 

Biomedical engineers design and develop medical equipment (related to diagnostic and clinical instrumentation), machinery, and tech that improve patient care and contribute to medical innovation. 

A bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering field is a must, and a master’s may and/or doctorate may also be relevant. 

Licensing by a provincial/territorial association of professional engineers is needed to approve engineering drawings/reports, and to practice in Canada as a professional engineer (P.Eng.). 

After graduation from an accredited educational program, and after and three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice exam, engineers are eligible for registration.

The best prospects for this field can be found in Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, and the median salary is $44 per hour. 

7. Welder (NOC 72106)

Welders work with different kinds of metals and on a range of projects in fields such as constructing vehicles, aircrafts, and heavy machinery, among others. 

Work could be found in welding shops or with welding contractors, or as a self-employed worker. 

To become a welder in Canada, you need to have completed secondary school and a three-year apprenticeship program (or a combination of more than three years of work experience in welding and some college/industry courses in welding). 

This qualifies one for trade certification, which is compulsory in Alberta and available – but voluntary – in all other provinces and territories. 

Prince Edward Island, Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan show good prospects for this field. The expected hourly wage for a welder in Canada is $26. 

8. Business Systems Analyst (21221)

These skilled workers operate in computer science and other industries to advise clients on the software they may require for their business activities. 

They stay up-to-date on existing procedures and systems, perform detailed system tests, produce reports, and develop new system architectures. 

Employers usually look for potential candidates who hold a bachelor’s in computer science, business administration, information systems, or a related field of study. 

Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan all show very good prospects for this field. The average expected salary is a median of $42.16 per hour.