51 Eye-Opening Canadian Employment Statistics By Industry for 2024

Knowing how to get a job in Canada isn’t just who you know but what you know. Of course, you want to understand the role, skills, and culture of the workplace, but you also want to have a good understanding of the labour trends that may impact your job search. 

Assessing Canadian employment statistics by industry – from business to agriculture – can reveal high-level trends and patterns within the job market in Canada. Understanding these trends can impact your effort to land your dream job or find meaningful work. 

In this post, we’ll uncover some of the most illuminating employment statistics across the employment landscape. Use them to help inform your own hiring decisions and career choices. Read on to learn more about key job trends by industry.

Jump to: 

• General Canadian Employment Statistics
• Business Industry Statistics
• Education Industry Statistics
• Health Care Industry Statistics
• IT Industry Statistics
• Pharmaceutical Industry Statistics
• Agricultural Industry Statistics
• Graduate Employment Statistics

Key Takeaways 20.22 million people work in Canada. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. The job vacancy rate is 4.1%. The average salary across all industries is $54,000 per year. 97.9% of businesses with employees in Canada are small businesses.

Methodology

To compile our list of Canadian employment statistics by industry, we reviewed data provided by the Government of Canada as well as other peer-reviewed and data-based sources. The information has all been verified by our own research and fact-checked by editors. 

General Canadian Employment Statistics

Canada has a challenging labour landscape, with as much as 41% of people seeking to switch careers or move provinces in favour of better job outcomes. While the job market has improved since the COVID-19 pandemic, there are more job seekers than open positions. Here’s a look at general employment trends in Canada.

1. There are 20.22 million total people employed in Canada. (Statista)
2. The unemployment rate in Canada is 5.8%. (Statistics Canada)
3. The job vacancy rate in Canada is low, at 4.1%. (Statistics Canada)
4. Among all Canadians, the unemployment rate for men is 6%, while the unemployment rate for women is 5.5%. (Statistics Canada)
5. Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest unemployment rate at 10.5%, and Manitoba has thelowest at 4.2%. (Statistics Canada)
6. The highest recorded unemployment rate was 14.1% in May 2020, and the lowest was 4.9% in July 2022. (CEIC)
7. The average salary in Canada is $54,000 per year. (Statistics Canada)
8. The highest average salaries in Canada are in Alberta at $59,000 per year and the lowest in Prince Edward Island at $46,500 per year. (Statistics Canada)
9. Men make an average salary of $62,000 per year, and women make an average salary of $46,100 per year in Canada. (Statistics Canada)
10. 54% of Canadian companies plan to hire for new roles in 2024. (Robert Half)

Canadian Business Facts

There are many in-demand jobs in the business industry. Whether that means starting your own business as an entrepreneur or working for one of the many small businesses in Canada, there’s a lot to consider. Here’s a look at some key facts about business.

11. Of 1.21 million businesses with employees in Canada, 97.9% are small businesses, which are defined as those with 1-99 employees. (Government of Canada)
12. More female majority-owned businesses are started than male majority-owned, but the survival rate of male majority-owned businesses is slightly more favourable, by as much as 5.2%. (Government of Canada)
13. The majority of the private labour force is employed by small businesses, at 67.7%. (Government of Canada)
14. The highest growth firms in Canada are in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction for both revenue and employment. (Government of Canada)
15. Of all industries in Canada, the majority of workers are employed in the services-producing sector, at 79.5%. (Statistics Canada)

Interested in business administration? Explore Robertson’s course options, such as the Event Planning and Hospitality Diploma program.

Facts About Education

For those interested in helping people and working with kids or young adults, education is a great post-secondary option. With many job opportunities and above-average salaries, a career in education can be rewarding in many ways. Here are facts about education in Canada. 

16. Nearly 1.5 million people are employed in educational services across Canada. (Statistics Canada)
17. There are more than 409,000 educators in public primary and secondary schools in Canada. (Statistics Canada)
18. 74.5% of educators in public schools in Canada are female. (Statistics Canada)
19. The majority of public school teachers are 45-49 years old, at 17.5%. (Statistics Canada) 
20. The average salary for a teacher in Canada is $68,856 per year. (Glassdoor)
21. The job prospects for both primary and secondary school teachers are favourable for the projected period of 2022-2031, with an anticipated 8.25% more job openings than graduates entering the field. (Government of Canada)
22. Early childhood education (ECE) is an in-demand field in Canada, with as much as 15.9% more job openings than there are people to work them. (Government of Canada)
23. The average salary for an Early Childhood Educator is $55,651 per year. (Indeed)

Health Care Industry Statistics

Health care is a critical industry in Canada, facing a continual labour shortage. There is high demand in everything from pharmaceuticals and dental care to nursing. Here are some stats about health care jobs in Canada.

24. More than 2.7 million people are employed in health care and social assistance in Canada. (Statistics Canada)
25. There are 594,577 people employed in hospitals across Canada. (IBIS World)
26. Approximately 80% of health care and social assistance employees are female. (Statistics Canada)
27. Approximately 71% of health care and social assistance employees are 25-54 years old. (Statistics Canada)
28. The average health care worker in Canada makes $58,866 per year. (Glassdoor)
29. Not all in-demand jobs in health care are clinical. Some of the most in-demand jobs in 2024 are: (Randstad)
    • Pharmacy Assistant
    • Registered Nurse
    • Medical Administrative Assistant
    • Pharmacy Technician
    • Dental Secretary

Interested in exploring an in-demand health care career? Become a Pharmacy Assistant with Robertson’s Diploma program.

IT Industry Statistics

Information technology (IT)is a growing industry within Canada, with above-average salaries and the development of new roles each year. Explore more information about the field below:

30. Information and communication technology (ICT) services employs 717,597 Canadians. (Government of Canada)
31. The average salary of ICT employees is $89,630, which is 52.5% higher than the average salary in Canada. (Government of Canada)
32. Technology and IT roles in Canada have a lower-than-average unemployment rate of 3.3% (Statistics Canada)
33. 64% of technology managers are hiring for new roles. (Robert Half)
34. Systems Analysts are the most in-demand IT professionals, followed by Network Architects and Information Systems Managers. (Robert Half)

Want to learn more about starting a career in IT? Learn about our Computer Support Technician Diploma program. 

Pharmaceutical Industry Statistics

Pharmaceuticals in Canada is a growing industry, with large hubs in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. With several roles in the pharmacy field in high demand, it’s a great potential career choice. Learn more about working in pharmaceuticals below:

35. Canada’s pharmaceuticalmarket is eighth in the world for sales. (Government of Canada)
36. Pharmacy Assistant is the most in-demand job in Canada for health care. (Randstad)
37. The average salary for a Pharmacist in Canada is $112,294 per year. (Indeed)
38. The average salary for a Pharmacy Assistant in Canada is $51,469 per year. (Indeed)
39. The average Pharmacy Technician salary in Canada is $50,708 per year. (Indeed)
40. Employment in pharmaceutical manufacturing in Canada has increased by 15.5% since 2013. (Government of Canada)

Interested in a career in one of the top in-demand health care positions? Explore our Pharmacy Technician Diploma program to learn more. 

Agricultural Industry Statistics

Agriculture is one of the primary industries in Canada, generating nearly 7% of Canada’s gross domestic product. Between primary agriculture — which involves working on a farm — food and beverage processing, retailers, and food service providers, agriculture makes up a massive portion of the Canadian labour market. 

41. The agricultural industry employs 2.3 million people in Canada, accounting for 1 in 9 jobs. (Government of Canada)
42. A farm worker in Canada makes an average of $42,685 per year. (Indeed)
43. Ontario employs the most people in agriculture, followed by Quebec and Alberta. (Statistics Canada)
44. The job vacancy rate for primary agriculture and food and beverage industries is an average of 4.9%. (Government of Canada)
45. 68.2% of agricultural workers are men. (Statistics Canada)

Graduate Employment Statistics

From the employment rate to the amount of debt a person has, education can play a significant role in job opportunities after graduation. Here’s an overview of the impact that post-secondary education has on graduates.

46. Students graduate with an average student loan debt in Canada of $28,000. (Statistics Canada)
47. The average employment rate for Canadians with a post-secondary Diploma or Certificate is 66.7%. (Statista)
48. The graduate employment rate for Robertson College students is an average of 69.25% across our Business, Technology, Community Services, and Health schools. (Robertson College Proprietary Data)
49. For graduates with an Undergraduate Degree, the employment rate is 74.4%. (Statista)
50. For individuals with some post-secondary education, the employment rate is 59.5%. (Statista)
51. For individuals with only a high school Diploma, the employment rate is 55.9%. (Statista)

Prepare for Your Career With Robertson College

Having an education specific to a certain field can help you succeed in your career, as it will allow you to target your learning to meet industry needs. With a focus on hands-on learning and practical experience, Robertson College graduates have a higher-than-average employment rate for those with Certificates and Diplomas. 

Learn how Robertson College can support your career goals with the Workforce Team.