Edmonton Employment Trends

Fabulous festivals, the North Saskatchewan River Valley, the Edmonton Oilers, and the West Edmonton Mall. These are just a few of the attractions that make Edmonton, Alberta, Canada’s northernmost large city, an incredible place to call home.

The city’s population has increased by a staggering 15.4% over the past 5 years alone, galvanizing it as one of the most sought-after locations in Canada—but what does this mean in terms of employment trends? What does Edmonton’s current job market look like and how does it measure up for job seekers?

If you are a new (or soon-to-be) high school graduate, a newcomer to Edmonton, or someone looking to upgrade your credentials or change careers, understanding the region’s employment landscape is key. Besides finding a career path that fulfills you and foregrounds your talents and passions, being aware of job market trends and building in-demand skills accordingly can be a major factor in positioning you for success when it comes time to find a job.

Below, we’ve provided a snapshot of Edmonton’s current employment landscape (spoiler alert: It’s very favourable) and spotlighted some high-demand industries and skill sets. For more in-depth information about the wide array of Edmonton career opportunities that a diploma from Robertson College could open up for you, schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable and supportive Student Advisors.

Quick Summary

• Edmonton is experiencing rapid expansion, which contributes to a job market where there are more available jobs than qualified job seekers (known as a labour shortage). This is favourable for people looking to enter the workforce, upgrade their credentials, or change careers.
• Some of the industries where labour shortages are expected to be most significant over the next few years include:
  • Health Occupations
  • Trades, Transport, and Equipment Operators
  • Business, Finance, and Administration Occupations
  • Natural and Applied Sciences and Related Occupations
• In-demand skills in Edmonton currently include inventory management, project management, accounting and bookkeeping services, marketing, proficiency with general and industry-specific software programs, excellent communication/leadership/interpersonal skills, and more.
• Alberta’s average annual salary is approximately $128,213, making it the province with the fourth-highest average salary in Canada.
• Overall, Edmonton offers a vast array of rewarding career opportunities for qualified and motivated job seekers.

Edmonton’s Current Employment Landscape

According to the Province of Alberta’s Short-Term Employment Forecast, 45% of occupations are expected to experience notable or mild labour shortages in the time period between 2024-2026 and another 30% are expected to face a relatively balanced labour market. This means that upwards of 75% of all occupations will be seeking qualified workers at an average or higher-than-average rate over the next two years. If you are planning on entering the labour market during this time period, this is excellent news!

While Edmonton’s unemployment rate is currently among the highest for major Canadian cities at approximately 7.5%, it is essential to bear in mind that this trend has corresponded with the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as population growth that has rapidly increased the city’s labour force.

Edmonton’s unemployment rate is widely expected to decrease and stabilize over time, and the Conference Board of Canada predicts that the Edmonton region will lead western Canada in job creation for the next two years!

High-Demand Industries In Edmonton

The following industries and occupation categories are expected to experience significant labour shortages over the next few years in the Edmonton region:

Please note that all statistics have been sourced from Alberta’s Short-Term Employment Forecast 2024-2026 and Alberta’s Occupational Outlook 2021-2030.

Health Occupations

• Up to 80% of health jobs are projected to experience a notable or mild labour shortage in Alberta between 2024-2026.
• Approximately 90,000 job openings are expected in this sector between 2021-2030.

If you’ve been considering a career in healthcare, now could be the moment to pursue your dream. From Health Care Aide to Nursing or Pharmacy Assistant, Robertson College’s health programs are designed to provide you with relevant skills in one year or less.

Trades, Transport, And Equipment Operators

• Up to 59% of trades, transport, and equipment operator jobs are projected to experience a notable or mild labour shortage in Alberta between 2024-2026.
• Approximately 220,000 job openings are expected in this sector between 2021-2030.

From transport truck drivers to automotive technicians or delivery and courier service providers, the trade and transport industry offers a broad spectrum of exciting opportunities!

Business, Finance, And Administration Occupations

• Up to 52% of business, finance, and administration occupations are projected to experience a notable or mild labour shortage in Alberta between 2024-2026.
• Approximately 180,000 job openings are expected in this sector between 2021-2030.

At Robertson College’s School of Business, you can earn a recognized diploma in one year or less that will prepare you for a variety of rewarding and in-demand business sector jobs.

Natural And Applied Sciences And Related Occupations

• Up to 44% of occupations in natural/applied sciences and related fields are projected to experience a notable or mild labour shortage in Alberta between 2024-2026.
• Approximately 105,000 job openings are expected in this sector between 2021-2030.

Occupations in natural and applied sciences include engineers, architects, biologists, physicists, chemists, geologists, statisticians, and more.

Skills That Are In High Demand

While desirable job skills and qualifications vary greatly from position to position and industry to industry, information compiled by the Province of Alberta for the first quarter of 2024 indicated that in-demand skills for the Edmonton economic region include:

• Common Skills – Communication, customer service, detail-oriented, sales, management, leadership, problem-solving, interpersonal communication
• Specialized Skills – Inventory management, project management, accounting, food services, merchandising, marketing, financial statements, bookkeeping, construction, restaurant operation
• Software Skills – Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, accounting software

Remote And Hybrid Work Trends In Edmonton

The percentage of Canadians working most of the time from home increased from 7.1% in May of 2016 to 24.3% in May of 2021 and has held steady around 20% of the population for the past few years. That being said, many analysts believe that the pendulum may be swinging back toward less remote and hybrid positions in the near future. Currently, there are more than 200 remote/hybrid positions posted for the Edmonton region on Indeed Canada.

Wage And Salary Trends In Edmonton

Alberta’s average salary was approximately $128,213 in 2021, making it the province/territory with the fourth-highest average salary in Canada (behind Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut). While wage trends have decreased in Alberta over the past few years (the provincial average wage now lags behind British Columbia and Quebec), it is still higher than the Canadian average.

Job Search Strategies For Edmonton’s Workforce

Even in a favourable job market, finding the right employment opportunity requires perseverance and dedication. Here are some strategies to keep in mind during your Edmonton region job search:

• Set specific job search parameters and maintain a strong online presence tailored to the job you hope to get.
• Build in-person connections through collegial relationships, professional organizations, job fairs, and other forms of networking.
• Actively improve and upgrade your skills based on the requirements of the career path you hope to pursue. Robertson College can help!
• Write a unique cover letter for every job you apply for to distinguish your application from the pack.

Future Employment Outlook: What’s Next For Edmonton?

Over the slightly longer term, the government of Alberta projects that the province will continue to face a labour shortage that is expected to reach an imbalance of around 45,800 workers by 2030. Once again, this trend is highly favourable for those entering the workforce’s in-demand jobs.

Conclusion

However you look at it, Edmonton’s job market is expected to be hot over the next several years. Whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time, seeking to upgrade your credentials, or changing careers, now could be the perfect time to enroll in a diploma program at Robertson College and pursue your professional goals!

Ready to learn more? Contact one of our highly qualified and experienced Student Advisors today. We look forward to welcoming you!