Last Updated On 19 September 2025, 9:30 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
Canada‘s job vacancies plummeted by 18,900 (3.6%), to 505,900 in the second quarter of 2025, marking the lowest level since 2018, when vacancies stood at 501,500.
This significant downturn, detailed in the latest Statistics Canada report, signals a troubling shift for workers, businesses, and policymakers navigating an increasingly complex economic landscape.
As Canada’s job market evolves, job seekers and aspiring immigrants can still target thriving industries to secure rewarding careers.
Despite a decline in overall job vacancies, specific occupations are experiencing robust demand, offering prime opportunities for employment and pathways to Canadian permanent residency.
This article highlights the top 10 occupations with the highest job vacancies in 2025, the fastest-growing occupations, and the most affected occupations in the current scenario based on the latest Statistics Canada data.
Table of Contents
Navigating Canada’s Job Market in 2025
On September 16, 2025, Statistics Canada reported 505,900 job vacancies at the end of Q2 2025, marking the continuous decline from a peak of 983,600 in Q2 2022.
This downturn reflects a tightening job market, with permanent positions dropping by -20,300 (-5.1%) and temporary roles decreasing by 4,300 (-4.5%).
The unemployment-to-job vacancy ratio rose to 2.9 in Q2 2025, up from 2.0 in Q1 2024, indicating 2.9 unemployed individuals per vacant position.
Six major occupational groups experienced significant declines:
- Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations: -5,900 (-6.1%)
- Health occupations: -5,600 (-7.5%)
- Business, finance and administration occupations: -3,300 (-4.7%)
- Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services: -2,000 (-4.0%)
- Occupations in manufacturing and utilities: -1,500 (-8.4%); and
- Legislative and senior management occupations: -300 (-23.3%)
Occupations in art, culture, recreation, and sport were the only broad occupation group with an increase in job vacancies by +900 (+9.5%).
Despite these declines, some sectors have seen significant growth in job opportunities.
Top 10 Occupations in Canada With Highest Job Vacancies
The following occupations, based on Q2 2025 data, represent the highest job vacancies in Canada, making them ideal targets for Canadian job seekers and immigrants aiming to build a future in the country.
| Occupation | Job Vacancies At End of second quarter of 2025 | Year-On-Year Change in Job Vacancies | Average offered hourly wage ($) | Year-On-Year Change in hourly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 19,545 | -29.5% | $36.65 | +5.32% |
| Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers | 15,745 | -21.9% | $17.90 | +3.77% |
| Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates | 14,130 | -21.7% | $25.20 | +7.23% |
| Construction trades helpers and labourers | 10,630 | -26.5% | $23.70 | +3.72% |
| Licensed practical nurses | 8,720 | -29.3% | $31.50 | +6.96% |
| Social and community service workers | 9,265 | -24.1% | $24.75 | +3.77% |
| Light duty cleaners | 8,435 | -24.8% | $20.25 | +6.58% |
| Cooks | 13,090 | -17.3% | $19.30 | +3.76% |
| Transport truck drivers | 12,615 | -17.8% | $27.35 | +0.92% |
| Administrative officers | 3,980 | -33.8% | $27.15 | +7.10% |
While the above data only focuses on occupations with the highest job vacancies in Canada, it seems like the number of vacancies is shrinking in these occupations.
So anyone looking for work can also focus on the below list, which outlines the occupations with the highest annual increase in job vacancies.
Top 10 Fastest-Growing Occupations in Canada for 2025
Certain occupations have shown remarkable year-over-year growth in job vacancies, signalling emerging opportunities for career-focused individuals.
Here are the top 10 occupations with the largest annual increases in vacancies from Q2 2024 to Q2 2025:
| Occupation | Job Vacancies At End of second quarter of 2025 | Year-On-Year Change in Job Vacancies | Average offered hourly wage ($) | Year-On-Year Change in hourly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers | 8,335 | 21.0% | $21.15 | +0.70% |
| Financial advisors | 2,320 | 121.0% | $31.20 | -1.90% |
| Construction managers | 2,210 | 32.7% | $44.50 | +0.60% |
| Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport | 2,885 | 21.7% | $18.95 | 0.00% |
| Software engineers and designers | 2,910 | 20.5% | $53.80 | +3.55% |
| Human resources managers | 1,285 | 52.1% | $49.80 | +0.30% |
| Specialized cleaners | 1,990 | 27.6% | $20.90 | +1.40% |
| Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants | 1,465 | 33.8% | $28.20 | +0.55% |
| Database analysts and data administrators | 800 | 63.3% | $38.55 | -3.60% |
| Computer and information systems managers | 1,765 | 18.9% | $59.60 | -2.10% |
Top 20 occupations with the largest annual decreases in job vacancies
While some sectors experience an increase in job vacancies, others have seen significant drops in job vacancies.
The following occupations experienced the largest annual decreases from Q2 2024 to Q2 2025:
| Occupations | Job Vacancies Q2 2025 | % Change Y-o-Y | Average offered hourly wage | % Change Y-o-Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheriffs and bailiffs [43200] | 5 | -87.50% | $36.35 | -0.07 |
| Sawmill machine operators [94120] | 40 | -73.33% | $31.20 | +0.20 |
| Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers [22231] | 65 | -69.05% | $39.50 | +0.17 |
| Longshore workers [75100] | 10 | -66.67% | $21.70 | -0.05 |
| Plastic products assemblers, finishers and inspectors [94212] | 210 | -61.82% | $21.60 | -0.04 |
| Banking, insurance and other financial clerks [14201] | 710 | -58.72% | $24.50 | +0.08 |
| Tour and travel guides [64320] | 190 | -57.30% | $19.25 | -0.16 |
| Airline ticket and service agents [64312] | 195 | -57.14% | $22.05 | +0.11 |
| Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations [51120] | 155 | -55.71% | $47.65 | +0.08 |
| Court clerks and related court services occupations [14103] | 20 | -55.56% | $31.55 | +0.19 |
| Logging and forestry labourers [85120] | 200 | -54.02% | $21.20 | -0.28 |
| Library, archive, museum and art gallery managers [50010] | 65 | -51.85% | $36.85 | 0.00 |
| Translators, terminologists and interpreters [51114] | 105 | -51.16% | $34.40 | +0.09 |
| Employment insurance and revenue officers [12104] | 5 | -50.00% | $36.10 | +0.21 |
| Electrical power line and cable workers [72203] | 170 | -50.00% | $41.40 | -0.11 |
| Assemblers and inspectors, electrical appliance, apparatus and equipment manufacturing [94202] | 130 | -49.02% | $22.80 | -0.01 |
| Tool and die makers [72101] | 85 | -48.48% | $29.10 | -0.05 |
| Bricklayers [72320] | 470 | -48.07% | $34.65 | +0.06 |
| Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers [94141] | 445 | -47.65% | $21.60 | +0.08 |
| Data entry clerks [14111] | 180 | -45.45% | $21.45 | +0.04 |
For everyday Canadians searching for terms like “Canada job market 2025” or “unemployment trends Canada,” this data underscores a tightening labor market where competition for jobs is intensifying.
Canada’s Unemployment Landscape in 2025
As of August 2025, Canada’s unemployment rate is at 7.1%. Provincial variations highlight diverse economic conditions:
- Highest Unemployment: Newfoundland and Labrador (10.7%), followed by Prince Edward Island (8.1%), Alberta (8.4%), Ontario (7.7%), and New Brunswick (7.7%).
- Lowest Unemployment: Nova Scotia (6.5%), followed by British Columbia (6.2%), Quebec (6.0%), Manitoba (5.7%), and Saskatchewan (4.7%).
To thrive in Canada’s 2025 job market, focus on high-demand sectors like healthcare, logistics, engineering, finance, and education.
Upskilling in these areas can enhance your employability and align with Canada’s immigration pathways.
By targeting occupations with growing vacancies, you can position yourself for long-term career stability and contribute to Canada’s vibrant economy.
What are the highest-paying jobs with the most vacancies in Canada in 2025?
In 2025, the highest-paying occupations with significant job vacancies in Canada include Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses ($35.40/hour, 23,905 vacancies), Licensed Practical Nurses ($30.05/hour, 10,615 vacancies), and Transport Truck Drivers ($27.10/hour, 13,170 vacancies). These roles, particularly in healthcare and logistics, offer competitive wages and strong demand due to Canada’s aging population and growing economy. Targeting these careers can provide both financial stability and opportunities for permanent residency.
Which Canadian industries will have the most job openings in 2025?
Healthcare, logistics, construction, and hospitality lead Canada’s job market in 2025. Healthcare dominates with roles like registered nurses (23,905 vacancies) and nurse aides (17,170 vacancies). Logistics sees high demand for transport truck drivers (13,170 vacancies) and shippers/receivers (+30.9% growth). Construction offers opportunities for trades helpers (12,285 vacancies), while hospitality needs cooks (13,820 vacancies) and food servers (9,575 vacancies). These sectors align with Canada’s economic and immigration priorities.
How to find jobs in Canada’s high-demand occupations in 2025?
You can target high-demand occupations like Food Counter Attendants (30,130 vacancies), Retail Salespersons (19,970 vacancies), and Social and Community Service Workers (10,860 vacancies) to improve job prospects. Upskilling through Canadian certifications, networking on platforms like LinkedIn, and applying via job boards like Indeed or Workopolis are key. Researching provinces with lower unemployment, such as Saskatchewan (5.6%) and British Columbia (5.7%), can also boost opportunities. Aligning skills with Express Entry requirements can enhance permanent residency chances.
Why are some Canadian occupations seeing fewer job vacancies in 2025?
Declines in job vacancies in 2025 are driven by economic shifts and automation. Occupations like Store Shelf Stockers (-41.3%), Customer Service Representatives (-40.4%), and Light Duty Cleaners (-36.2%) face reduced demand due to technological advancements and changing consumer habits. Despite this, sectors like healthcare and logistics remain resilient, with roles like registered nurses and truck drivers still showing strong vacancy numbers despite year-on-year drops (-21.1% and -34.6%, respectively).
Which Canadian provinces offer the best job opportunities in 2025?
Provinces with lower unemployment rates in 2025 offer the best job opportunities. Saskatchewan (5.6% unemployment) and British Columbia (5.7%) lead, followed by Manitoba (5.8%) and Quebec (5.9%). These regions have strong demand in healthcare (e.g., nurse aides, 17,170 vacancies) and logistics (e.g., transport truck drivers, 13,170 vacancies). Conversely, Newfoundland and Labrador (10.8%) and Prince Edward Island (8.0%) have higher unemployment, making job searches more competitive.
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