5 High Demand Jobs in Canada

A high-demand job typically means that either there are more opportunities than qualified candidates to fill them or that there will be more jobs available over the next several years. These types of jobs tend to have several benefits, including more competitive salaries, increased opportunities for advancement, and in some instances, even greater job security. 

Based on the parameters of there being more opportunities than qualified candidates to fill the jobs, we’ve compiled a list of 12 in-demand jobs that have a positive outlook and which may be worth considering as you look for your next role.  

5 jobs in high demand

We’ve organised the list below by job growth rate. As you’ll notice, most of the jobs fall within the health care and technology industries.  

1. Computer manager

Median hourly wage in Canada (Job Bank): $60.58 CAD [1]

Job outlook: Good, labour shortage through 2031

Typical requirements: Bachelor’s degree and over five years of experience

As a computer manager, you will oversee a company’s network and IT services, ensuring users can access required software and tools without interruption. In addition to developing short-term and long-term system plans, troubleshooting problems, and managing all network-related budgets, you will also stay up-to-date about new programs or technology in case they might be useful to purchase and implement.

2. Medical assistant 

Median hourly wage: $22.00 CAD [6]

Job outlook: Very good to moderate, labour shortage conditions are expected through 2031

Typical requirements: High school diploma, or on-the-job training and training or professional certificate

As a medical assistant, you will provide support in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other medical facilities. You will often be the first to interact with a patient, taking their medical history and facilitating a smooth visit, which can include submitting prescriptions to area pharmacies and explaining medications to patients. You may also perform basic lab tests, collect lab specimens, and perform various duties to help doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.  

3. Software developer 

Median hourly wage: $44.62 CAD [7]

Job outlook: Very good to good, labour shortage conditions are expected through 2031

Typical requirements: Bachelor’s degree 

As a software developer, you will code and create software and apps and make updates to existing interfaces, ensuring that everything runs smoothly. You will work behind the scenes to design and build the programs people use every day on their computers and mobile devices. In this role, you will need to know a programming language and have an understanding about what users need from a specific piece of software in order to create a useful and impactful product.  

4. Statistician

Median hourly wage: $46.47 CAD [11]

Job outlook: Good to moderate, labour shortage conditions are expected through 2031

Typical requirements: Master’s degree

As a statistician, you must be a problem-solver. You use data, mathematics, and other statistical information to identify a range of solutions. In this role, you may work for companies, either as full-time employees or consultants, using your analytical skills to understand business-related issues and determine the best outcome. As a statistician, you can work in a number of industries.  

5. Nurse practitioner 

Median hourly wage: $54.00 CAD [12] 

Job outlook: Very good to good, Labour shortage is expected through 2031

Typical requirements: Master’s degree

As a nurse practitioner, you will be an advanced professional, having achieved higher education than a registered nurse in order to consult with and diagnose patients. In this role, you may work in a variety of health care specialisations, including paediatric, psychiatric, and women’s health. You must complete significant clinical training in order to work more closely with patients and be a strong communicator and critical thinker. 

Benefits of working in a high-demand job

While a high-demand job doesn’t always correlate with job security, the two can be closely related, meaning that a job with a good deal of projected growth can offer some amount of security. 

As automation continues to disrupt jobs and industries, replacing workers, it can be useful to move into a career path or industry that is projected to experience high growth and remain in demand. Beyond security, other benefits of high-demand jobs include: 

• Higher salaries

• Faster advancement

• Less competition for available jobs 

Learn more about jobs in high demand on Coursera

A high-demand job can make it easier to find work and can sometimes mean higher pay. Build important skills for a number of high-demand jobs with a Professional Certificate. On Coursera, you’ll find certificates in project management, UX design, social media management, and data analysis from industry leaders like Google and Meta. Plus, you can learn at your own pace and on your own schedule.