Top 10 In-Demand Skilled Jobs in Canada for Foreigners 2024

Written by

Inayat Sharma

Fact check by

Afreen Abbasi

Updated on

Dec 01,2024

Top 10 In-Demand Skilled Jobs in Canada for Foreigners - TerraTern

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Benefits of Skilled Jobs in Canada

Some highlighted benefits for skilled jobs in Canada:

  • High Earning Potential: Skilled jobs in Canada offer a competitive salary, ensuring a steady lifestyle and quality of life.

  • Career Growth: Canada has plenty of expanding industries with a shortage of skilled knowledge, which lends further to one's advancement opportunities.

  • Provide a Pathway for Permanent Residency: Jobs on the skill list can generally get one an immigration pathway to express entry, and this would mean that the worker may find it easy to obtain permanent residency.

  • Comprehensive Benefits: Many skilled occupations come with health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.

  • Quality of Living: Their utmost comes from the work field in Canada, which indeed has a high quality of life associated with it that includes healthcare, education, and a multicultural environment. 

All in all, Canada has become one of the most receptive destinations for employment-based immigration for skilled workers. As such, Canada, to remedy the extensive labour shortages in healthcare, technology, and skilled trades, has set itself a target of accepting over 500,000 new immigrants annually until 2025. Permanent job offers in Canada have opened immigration bidding for industries that suit the qualifications and skill set of professionals being sought on a global level, opening more doors to skilled jobs in canada.

Now, for the individuals who are considering migrating to Canada, this is the right time to think about job market opportunities. In this guide, we have summarized the 10 most in-demand skilled jobs in canada for 2024, with suggested salaries, requirements, and immigration pathways so you can realize that Canadian dream of yours. 

Latest Statistics and News:

  • Canada is looking forward to welcoming more than 500,000 new immigrants every year until 2025.

  • The severe labour shortage in healthcare, technology, and skilled trades.

  • Express Entry draws inviting record numbers of skilled workers.

  • New Immigration pathways were rolled out aimed at essential workers and international graduates.

Overview of Canada's Job Market for Skilled Foreign Workers

Canada’s job market is gaining significant mileage across various sectors, primarily in the fields of health, technology, and trade. Increasingly, Canada is reliant on foreign skills to bridge the population ageing and declining birthrate chasm through foreign talent. The high demand indicates an opening in favour of immigrants, enabling immense opportunities that lie ahead concerning skilled jobs in canada, elevated salaries, and growth in one’s career. Moreover, skilled immigrant workers contribute to the diverse, multicultural workplace in Canada, thus fostering innovation in the developing sectors.

Key Statistics

  • Job Vacancies: Reports of over a million job vacancies have come from different fields in Canada.

  • Labour Shortages: Healthcare and IT skilled trades have left quite a few positions unfulfilled over the years.

  • Express Entry Invitations: Record-level invitations among skilled workers were recorded targeting certain occupations in the recent rounds. 

Also, read: Top Easy PR Provinces in Canada: Latest Experts Guide 2024

 

Top 10 In-Demand Skilled Jobs in Canada for Foreigners

Let us look at the top 10 in-demand Skilled jobs in Canada for Foreigners:

1. Registered Nurses

Due to the high demand for healthcare services across Canada, registered nurses are imported. In general, applicants are expected to have a nursing degree, a license from the provincial regulatory body, and basic knowledge of English or French.

  • Average Salary per Annum: CAD 75,000 to 105,000

  • Topmost Province: Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta

  • Immigration Pathways: Express Entry; Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) for healthcare

2: Software Engineers and Developers

One of the best skilled jobs in canada is the software engineer. The Tech industry is thriving in Canada today, with the soaring demand for software engineers, web developers, and application developers. Basic knowledge includes various programming languages such as Java, Python, and C++.

  • Average Salary per annum: CAD 80,000-120,000

  • Top Tech Hubs: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal Immigration Pathways: Express Entry; Global Talent Stream 

  • Immigration Pathway: Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, work permits, and specialized tech-focused initiatives

3. Skilled Trades (Electricians, Plumbers, Welders)

Skilled tradesmen happen to be critically hard to come by in Canada, especially in construction and manufacturing. General requirements greatly differ, but trade certifications and provincial licensure are usually mandated.

  • Average Salary: CAD 50,000 – CAD 90,000 annually

  • Top Provinces: Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia

  • Immigration Pathway: Federal Skilled Trades Program, PNP for trades

4. Truck Drivers

The shortages of truck drivers are acutely felt across logistics and supply chain sectors in Canada. Requirements include a commercial driver's license and a clean driving record.

  • Average Salary: CAD 50,000 – CAD 70,000 annually

  • Top Provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba

  • Immigration Pathways: Provincial Nominee Program for drivers, Canadian Experience Class for those with Canadian work experience. 

5. Engineers (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical)

The demand for engineers in Canada is constantly increasing. This is one of the most targeted skilled jobs in Canada, with recruits for infrastructural and technological projects. Engineers trained abroad are to assess their credentialing and, in some cases, will require licensing from relevant Canadian provincial authorities.

  • Average Salaries: CAD 70,000-110,000 (Annually)

  • Best Provinces: Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.

  • Proposed Immigration Pathways: Express Entry, PNP for engineers.

6. Financial Analysts and Accountants

The financial services sector in Canada requires the services of financial analysts and accountants with expertise in various aspects relating to corporate and personal finance. Usually, licenses from the governing bodies are a must for someone to work in that field: CPA or CFA.

  • Average Salaries: CAD 60,000-90,000 (Annually)

  • Best Cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary.

  • Immigration Pathways: Express Entry and PNP emphasizing finance. 

Also, read Clinical Psychologist Salary Canada: Latest Salary Guide

7. Teachers and Early Childhood Educators

There is a shortage of qualified teachers in Canada, especially in remote and rural areas. The requirements differ from province to province but usually involve having a teaching license and a degree.

  • Average Salary: CAD 45,000-CAD 80,000/year

  • Canadian Top Provinces: British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta

  • Immigration Pathways: PNP for educators, Canadian Experience Class

8. Health Specialist

Urgent demand for health specialists to satisfy the needs of the ageing population. It's rigorous for license but it is what you need to practice in Canada.

  • Average Salary: CAD 90,000-CAD 150,000/year

  • Canada's Top Provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Alberta

  • Immigration Pathways: Express Entry, PNP for health specialists. 

9. IT Professionals (Network Administrators, Cybersecurity Experts)

The increasing requirement for IT professionals, as companies become more focused on cybersecurity and network management, provides an incentive for such professionals to acquire proper certifications in order to garner such credentials. 

  • Average Salary: CAD 65,000 to CAD 100,000 annually

  • Canada's Top Provinces: Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia

  • Immigration Pathways: apprehension from the PNP for such initiatives as Global Talent and streams to incoming tech workers.. 

10. Construction Manager

Construction managers will oversee the execution of infrastructure projects in Canada. Practical experience in conjunction with some certification in this area will help one to get a competitive salary.

  • Average Salary: CAD 70,000-120,000 annually

  • Canada's Top Provinces: Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia.

  • Immigration Pathways: PNP for managers, CEC, which stands for Canadian Experience Class. 

Table: Summary of Top 10 In-Demand skilled jobs in canada for Foreign Workers

Job Title

Average Salary

Top Provinces

Key Requirements

Registered Nurses

CAD 75,000 - 105,000

Ontario, BC, Alberta

Nursing degree, licensing, language proficiency

Software Engineers

CAD 80,000 - 120,000

Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal

Programming skills, relevant experience

Skilled Trades (Electricians, Plumbers)

CAD 50,000 - 90,000

Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan

Trade certifications, apprenticeships

Truck Drivers

CAD 50,000 - 70,000

Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba

CDL, clean driving record

Engineers

CAD 70,000 - 110,000

Ontario, Alberta, BC

Engineering degree, licensing for some specialities

Financial Analysts

CAD 60,000 - 90,000

Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary

CPA or CFA, relevant experience

Teachers

CAD 45,000 - 80,000

Ontario, Alberta, BC

Teaching license, education degree

Healthcare Specialists

CAD 90,000 - 150,000

Ontario, Quebec, Alberta

Medical licensing, specialization

IT Professionals

CAD 65,000 - 100,000

Ontario, Quebec, BC

IT certifications, cybersecurity skills

Construction Managers

CAD 75,000 - 120,000

Alberta, Ontario, BC

Experience, management skills

Qualifications and Requirements for Skilled Jobs in Canada

Requirements of Foreign Professionals for Employment in Canada:

1. Crucial Language Measures: Language proficiency test results in English or French, such as IELTS and TEF.

2. Credentialization: Educational Credential Assessments through recognized organizations.

3. Experiences: Must have at least one year of experience in the intended occupation.

Also, read Clinical Psychologist Salary Canada: Latest Salary Guide

Immigration Pathways for Skilled Foreign Workers

There's a time-honoured immigration pathway into Canada for skilled foreign workers:

1. Express Entry: A point-based system for skilled workers entering Canada, which includes both the Federal Skilled Worker program and the Federal Skilled Trade program.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Each province makes its occupation-in-need pathways.

3. Global Talent Stream: A programme that fast-tracks certain tech and engineering careers.

Expert Tips for Finding Skilled Jobs in Canada via Foreigners

  • Canadian Job Boards: Have changed the use for job searching from behind, so they vary according to objectives that are mostly Canadian.

  • Your Resume: Make your resume Canadian-agreeable. Sell achievements and skills.

  • Networking: Reach out to professionals through LinkedIn or hob-nob at industry events.

  • Consider PNP programs: Some provinces, therefore, have aggressively scouted to recruit foreign skilled workers severely for specific fields.

  • Be mindful of Credentialization: Determine whether your credits were accepted as capable.

  • Labour shortages, in that connection, clearly represent an abundance of opportunities for skilled foreigners in Canada. The numerous, sensible pathways of immigration and warmth, ingrained toward the movement, signify this as an excellent opportunity for you to set your feet firmly on the land of Canada given career business. Hence, take steps to realize your Canadian dream by availing of these in-demand professions, thus making a positive contribution to the Canadian jobs market. 

 

Conclusion

With significant labour gaps, the prospective opportunities in skilled jobs in canada have presently increased considerably. The extensive, cohesive pathways for migration and an open disposition toward the migration of skilled professionals in Canada indicate that this is the most propitious time for one to explore career options in Canada. In light of this, realize that the potential for Canadian growth is when one can finally apply for in-demand the next step to achieving their Canadian dream of skilled jobs in canada. 

Embracing a skilled job in Canada can be your gateway to a prosperous future with endless career possibilities. Ready to explore opportunities? Check out TerraTern for more insights on making your Canadian dream a reality.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest skilled job to get in Canada as a foreigner?

Skilled trade roles like truck drivers, electricians, and plumbers are among the most accessible due to high demand and streamlined immigration pathways such as the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

How much do skilled workers earn in Canada?

Skilled workers in Canada typically earn between CAD 50,000 and CAD 100,000 annually, depending on the field, location, and level of experience.

Can I apply for skilled jobs in Canada without a job offer?

Yes, several immigration pathways, including Express Entry, allow skilled workers to apply without a job offer, although having one can increase your points and chances.

What is the age limit for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada?

Canada’s immigration programs generally have no strict age limit, but applicants aged 20-35 receive the highest points for age under the Express Entry system.

How long does it take to get a work permit for a skilled job in Canada?

Processing times for work permits vary but typically range from 1 to 4 months, depending on the specific immigration stream and applicant's country of origin.