Unemployment in Canada is currently at 5.1%, but the job market is experiencing a record number of vacancies. Canada is experiencing serious labor shortages in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, retail, and professional services. Employees are in-demand and have a strong negotiating position as employers are struggling to find labor. Despite experts predicting a future downturn, the Canadian job market is currently strong.
Research for our article is based on data compiled from searches of SignalHire users. All searches that were analyzed relate to August 2022, so keep in mind that data may vary depending on the seasonality of each industry. Therefore, this does not mean that if only these positions are given, it will be difficult with others in these cities. You can also check out our research on US cities, where we analyzed cities according to the same principle.
Well, let’s get started!
What Are the Best Canadian Cities for Work?
1. Toronto, ON
- Average Annual Salary: $93,947 per year
- Top 5 In-Demand Jobs in the City: Project Manager, Site Superintendent, Architect, Estimator, Operations Analyst
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, with a population of just under 3 million, and the metro area has a population of almost 6 million! Toronto is the second biggest financial hub in North America, beating out many top American cities, including Chicago and Boston. Over 200,000 Torontians work in financial services. The city also has a thriving tech scene with a number of innovative start-ups.
Toronto isn’t just one of the best cities for jobs in the world; it is also one of the top places to live. Toronto is known for its bustling streets, low crime, amazing waterfront skyline, and cultural diversity. There is always something to do in this exciting city. However, the cost of living is high, and it gets very cold in the winter!
One of the hottest jobs in Toronto is architect, which is no surprise with so many skyscrapers and the city’s wealthy building luxury homes. Another in-demand job is project manager, as every company ranging from construction to finance to tech, needs help getting projects done on time.
If you don’t mind the cold and are looking for a big city that will remind you of New York, then Toronto could be the perfect city for you!
2. Montreal, QC
- Average Annual Salary: $88,396 per year
- Top 5 In-Demand Jobs in the City: Marketing Manager, Project Manager, Financial Analyst, System Administrator, Communications Manager
Montreal is the capital of Quebec and the French-speaking part of Canada. It has a population of just under 2 million and is known for its European feel and lovely architecture. Montreal has one of the world’s best nightlife scenes and is filled with excellent cafes, great shops, and parks.
Montreal is very affordable compared to other big Canadian cities and has a unique feel thanks to French culture. Montreal has a large port, is an international hub for artificial intelligence, has a strong financial services sector, and is a cultural hub. Even if you don’t speak French, there are tons of opportunities to build a career in Montreal. Its growing economy, combined with amazing culture and low cost of living, makes Montreal one of the best cities to work in Canada.
3. Vancouver, BC
- Average Annual Salary: $92,359 per year
- Top 5 In-Demand Jobs in the City: Site Reliability Engineering Manager, System Administrator, Store Manager, Senior QA Engineer, Talent Acquisition Executive
Vancouver may be the prettiest city in the whole of Canada, but the views come with a price tag! Vancouver has a population of over 600,000, and the metro has a population of over 2.5 million. The city is known for its friendly people and mild climate. It is a perfect place to explore the great outdoors, and Whistler is just 1.5 hours away!
Vancouver’s economy has achieved impressive growth and has soared past pre-pandemic levels making it one of the top cities for jobs in Canada. The city’s economy is dominated by international trade, as Vancouver has a large port. The city also has a booming property market, which attracts international investors, and a strong financial services sector. If you are looking for a picturesque city with a strong economy and tons of great outdoor activities, then consider moving to Vancouver.
4. Calgary, AB
- Average Annual Salary: $114,175 per year
- Top 5 In-Demand Jobs in the City: Sale Associate, IT Manager, Site Superintendent, Underwriter, Controller
Calgary is a cosmopolitan city known for its high rises and breathtaking views of the mountains. From Calgary, you have world-class hiking, skiing, and camping at your doorstep.
Calgary is the center of Canada’s oil industry and also has a strong manufacturing, healthcare, and business services industry. Calgary is an amazing place to live if you are into the outdoors, and thanks to its strong economy, it is one of the best places to get a job in Canada.
5. Ottawa, ON
- Average Annual Salary: $92,632 per year
- Top 5 In-Demand Jobs in the City: Accountant, Staff Manager, Senior Analyst, Accounting Manager, Nurse
Ottawa is the capital of Canada and has a population of just under 1 million. The city is known for being family-oriented, safe, and being very green. Ottawa is a much more affordable city compared to Toronto, but it has fewer things to do.
As Ottawa is the nation’s capital, the federal government is the city’s biggest employer. Other booming sectors in the city include healthcare, tech, hospitality, and tourism. Ottawa is consistently one of the top cities in Canada for jobs thanks to its strong economy and the abundance of government jobs which come with great benefits.
6. Edmonton, AB
- Average Annual Salary: $99,865 per year
- Top 5 In-Demand Jobs in the City: System Administrator, Executive Assistant, Cashier, Investment Analyst, Teacher
Edmonton is a very diverse city with lots of citizens from all over the world. It is the 5th largest city in Canada, with a population of just under 1 million. Edmonton has one of the fastest-growing economies in the whole of Canada, as it is an oil and gas hub. In recent years it has also seen growth in the tech industry as it is regarded as a research hub in Canada.
Edmonton has a thriving food scene and lots of shopping options and is an amazing place if you like outdoor activities. If you are building a career, then Edmonton could be your ideal city.
7. New Scotland, ON
- Average Annual Salary: $65,000 per year
- Top 5 In-Demand Jobs in the City: Construction Engineer, Truck Driver, Farmer, Military Officer, Pilot
New Scotland is a small town located on Lake Erie. It is located 1 hour from London, Ontario, and 20 minutes from Chatham. The area is largely rural, and there are only small shops located in the town. New Scotland is very affordable and a great place to raise a family.
The most in-demand jobs are largely blue-collar skilled labor jobs such as truck driver, farmer, and military. If you are looking to live in the countryside and take advantage of cheap housing, then New Scotland could be your dream location.
8. Mississauga, ON
- Average Annual Salary: $80,551 per year
- Top 5 In-Demand Jobs in the City: Financial Analyst, Project Manager, Logistic Manager, Office Manager, Industrial Engineer
Mississauga is a large Canadian city located right next to Toronto. It has a population of just under 1 million, and you can reach downtown Toronto in 30 minutes. Mississauga is known for its high rises, shopping malls, and industrial parks. Some of the biggest employers in the city are Royal Bank of Canada, Suncor Energy, TD Bank, Tim Horton, Trillium Health Partners, Tyco, and Walmart.
Mississauga is a more affordable option than Toronto, yet it still offers lots to do. The city has great beaches, shopping and dining options and is a great place to build your career, especially in financial services or logistics.
9. Cambridge, ON
- Average Annual Salary: $60,000 per year
- Top In-Demand Jobs in the City: HVAC Technician, Millwright
Cambridge is a city with a concentration of many industries and productions. Technology, manufacturing, finance… There will be a job in any industry. In particular, in terms of manufacturing, it is not surprising, because the famous Toyota has its factories in Cambridge. Due to the fact that many companies supply parts necessary for the production of airplanes and satellites, the aerospace industry is also developing here. And as we can see from our research, it is technical professions that dominate the search.
In addition to being a profitable place for employment, the city of Cambridge itself is fascinating. It is rich in incredible architectural heritage, local museums, live theater and more. So, if a quiet life and work in an amazing city suits you, don’t delay moving!
10. Guelph, ON
- Average Annual Salary: $72,500 per year
- Top 5 In-Demand Jobs in the City: Millwright, Buyer, HVAC Technician, Human Resource Manager, Tool & Die Maker
Guelph is a small city of just over 100,000 people, but it is not boring. It has a great local food and art scene, and people are known for being friendly and welcoming. The city has some lovely parks and picturesque views of the river. If you need some extra action, you are only a 1-hour drive from buzzing Toronto.
The biggest employers in the area are Linamar (car parts manufacturing company), the University of Guelph, the City of Guelph, and Cargill Meat Solutions. Many Guelph residents also commute and work in nearby Toronto and Hamilton.
Methodology
To produce our list of the best places to work and live in Canada, we compiled every single Canadian-related search query from SignalHire users for the period of August 2022. The more searches a particular city had, the higher they ranked in our list.
We then studied the particular jobs that were being searched in each city within Canada. The jobs with the highest search volume can be found under our in-demand jobs section. The last step of our methodology involved combining all of the research to create a comprehensive list of the best cities to work in Canada! Our article also presents data from other resources. Namely, job growth and average annual salary were taken from local government websites.
Conclusion
It is no surprise that coming in as number 1 on our list of the best cities in Canada is Toronto. The city has a population of just under 3 million, and the Greater Toronto Area has almost 6 million people. Toronto is Canada’s financial hub, and people from all over the country move there to enjoy the amazing culture and to build their careers in a variety of industries ranging from finance to law to the medical field to tech.
Apart from the best places to find a job in the Canada, we have also covered several other studies, including the most common job in every state (USA) and the top 10 most in-demand USA jobs in 2022. Have a read, and stay on top of your game!
