Canada’s Fastest-Growing Jobs

Thousands of clients worldwide are already using Analyst, EMSI’s premier web-based labour market data tool. Now, EMSI is pleased to introduce Analyst for Canada. Based on EMSI’s unique and comprehensive set of workforce and demographic data, Analyst for Canada provides community colleges, workforce boards, and anyone with an interest in understanding the dynamics of Canada’s regional economies with a fast, easy way of getting the data-driven answers they need to make informed, objective decisions.

Analyst for Canada offers a wide range of data on hundreds of occupations and industries, from the national level to the Census Subdivision. To give you an idea of what Analyst for Canada can do, we thought we would start by getting a broad picture of Canada’s workforce in 2012. We’re going to use Analyst to find out what the best-paying, fastest-growing jobs in Canada were in 2012, and where they’re growing the fastest.

Analyst uses StatCan’s NOC-S system of occupation classifications. We used EMSI data to derive each occupation’s growth; then we found the total number of jobs in 2012, the fastest-growing major Census Divisions, and finally the average wage for the occupation. We also decided to trim out jobs that, on average, earn significantly less than the national average of $22 an hour. We set the threshold for average earnings at $20 an hour.

1. Secondary and elementary school teacher and educational counsellors NEC, NOC-S E130

• 2012 Jobs: 158,718
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 24,285
• Percentage increase: 18.1%
• Average hourly earnings: $32.15

Occupations in this group are primarily concerned with teaching courses or providing guidance at secondary and elementary schools.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs; % growth):

1. Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (2,562; 66%)
2. Middlesex (3,048; 65%)
3. York (5,108; 55%)

 2. Administrative officers, NOC-S B311

• 2012 Jobs: 216,957
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 19,549
• Percentage increase: 9.9%
• Average hourly earnings: $22.06

Administrative officers oversee and implement administrative procedures, establish work priorities and co-ordinate the acquisition of administrative services such as office space, supplies and security services. They are employed throughout the private and public sectors.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs; % growth)

1. Central Okanagan (1,480; 41%)
2. Gatineau (2,761; 39%)
3. Calgary [AB Division no. 6] (12,948; 33%)

3. Truck drivers, NOC-S H711

• 2012 Jobs: 241,619
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 14,256
• Percentage increase: 6.3%
• Average hourly earnings: $20.39

Truck drivers operate heavy trucks to transport goods and materials over urban, interurban, provincial and international routes. They are employed by transportation companies, manufacturing and distribution companies, moving companies and employment service agencies, or they may be self-employed. This unit group also includes shunters who move trailers to and from loading docks within trucking yards or lots.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs; % change)

1. Red Deer [AB Division no. 8] (2,790; 41%)
2. Fraser-Fort George (1,440; 30%)
3. Québec (4,105; 26%)

 4. Lawyers and Québec Notaries, NOC-S E012

• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 9,891
• 2012 Jobs: 56,364
• Percentage increase: 21%
• Average hourly earnings: $39.33

Lawyers and Quebec notaries advise clients on legal matters, represent clients before administration boards and draw up legal documents such as contracts and wills. Lawyers also plead cases, represent clients before tribunals and conduct prosecutions in courts of law. Lawyers are employed in law firms and prosecutor’s offices. Quebec notaries are employed in notary offices. Both lawyers and Quebec notaries are employed by federal, provincial and municipal governments and various business establishments or they may be self-employed. Articling students are included in this group.

Top three Census Divisions: (2012 jobs, % change)

1. York (1,378; 39%)
2. Peel (2,238; 37%)
3. Greater Vancouver (4,945; 32%)

5. Civil Engineers, NOC-S C031

• 2012 jobs: 47,182
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 8,517
• Percentage increase: 22%
• Average hourly earnings: $36.71

Civil engineers plan, design, develop and manage projects for the construction or repair of buildings, earth structures, powerhouses, roads, airports, railways, rapid transit facilities, bridges, tunnels, canals, dams, ports and coastal installations and systems related to highway and transportation services, water distribution and sanitation. Civil engineers may also specialize in foundation analysis, building and structural inspection, surveying, geomatics and municipal planning. Civil engineers are employed by engineering consulting companies, in all levels of government, by construction firms and in many other industries, or they may be self-employed.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs; % change)

1. Montréal (4,220; 62%)
2. Québec (1,726; 55%)
3. Winnipeg [MB Division no. 11] (1,037; 54%)

 6.  Technical sales specialists (wholesale trade), NOC-S G121

• 2012 Jobs: 102,189
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 8,134
• Percentage increase: 8.6%
• Average hourly earnings: $25.42

Technical sales specialists, wholesale trade, sell a range of technical goods and services, such as scientific and industrial products, electricity, telecommunications services and computer services, to governments and to commercial and industrial establishments in domestic and international localities. They are employed by establishments that produce or provide technical goods and services, such as pharmaceutical companies, industrial equipment manufacturing companies, computer services firms, engineering firms and hydroelectric companies, or may be self-employed technical sales specialists/agents who contract their services to other companies. Technical sales specialists who are supervisors are included in this unit group.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs; % change) 

1. Regina [SK Division no. 11] (1,279; 40%)
2. Halifax (2,159; 32%)
3. York (6,836; 29%)

7. Information systems analysts and consultants, NOC-S C071

• 2012 Jobs: 131,218
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 8,127
• Percentage increase: 6.6%
• Average hourly earnings: $35.26

Information systems analysts and consultants conduct research, develop and implement information systems development plans, policies and procedures, and provide advice on a wide range of information systems issues. They are employed in information technology consulting firms and in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs, % change)

1. Edmonton [AB Division no. 11] (6,172; 38%)
2. Waterloo (1,434; 26%)
3. York (6,793; 20%)

 8. Mechanical Engineers, NOC-S C032

• 2012 Jobs: 40,520
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 7,385
• Percentage increase: 22.3%
• Average hourly earnings: $35.28

Mechanical engineers research, design and develop machinery and systems for heating, ventilating and air conditioning, power generation, transportation, processing and manufacturing. They also perform duties related to the evaluation, installation, operation and maintenance of mechanical systems. Mechanical engineers are employed by consulting firms, by power-generating utilities and in a wide range of manufacturing, processing and transportation industries, or they may be self-employed.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs; % change)

1. Greater Vancouver (3,444; 99%)
2. Peel (2,554; 19%)
3. York (1,718; 18%)

 9. Professional occupations in public relations and communications, NOC-S F024

• 2012 Jobs: 56,632
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 7,337
• Percentage increase: 14.9%
• Average hourly earnings: $29.40

This unit group includes specialists in public relations and communications who develop and implement communication and promotion strategies and information programs, publicize activities and events, and maintain media relations on behalf of businesses, governments and other organizations, and for performers, athletes, writers and other talented individuals. They are employed by consulting firms, corporations, associations, government, social agencies, museums, galleries, public interest groups, and cultural and other organizations, or they may be self-employed. Agents such as entertainment, literary and sports agents are included in this unit group.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs; % change)

1. Montréal (8,179; 38%)
2. Calgary [AB Division no. 6] (2,723; 34%)
3. Québec (1,945; 26%)

10: Registered Nurses, NOC-S D112

• 2012 Jobs: 281,454
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 7,242
• Percentage increase: 2.6%
• Average hourly earnings: $33.17

This unit group includes registered nurses, nurse practitioners, registered psychiatric nurses and graduates of a nursing program who are awaiting registration (graduate nurses). They provide direct nursing care to patients, deliver health education programs and provide consultative services regarding issues relevant to the practice of nursing. They are employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, doctors’ offices, clinics, community agencies, companies and private homes, or they may be self-employed.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs; % change)

1. Lethbridge [AB Division no. 2] (2,063; 48%)
2. Red Deer [AB Division no. 8] (2,262; 44%)
3. Cape Breton (1,819; 28%)

 11. Electricians (except industrial and power system), NOC-S H211

• 2012 Jobs: 85,027
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 6,941
• Percentage increase: 8.9%
• Average hourly earnings: $27.04

Electricians in this unit group lay out, assemble, install, test, troubleshoot and repair electrical wiring, fixtures, control devices and related equipment in buildings and other structures. They are employed by electrical contractors and maintenance departments of buildings and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs; % change)

1. Victoria [Capital] (1,071; 38%)
2. Niagara (1,232; 36%)
3. Hamilton (1,362; 33%)

 12. Computer programmers and interactive media developers, NOC-S C074

• 2012 Jobs: 122,316
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 6,527
• Percentage increase: 5.6%
• Average hourly earnings: $32.04

Computer programmers write, modify, integrate and test computer code for microcomputer and mainframe software applications, data processing applications, operating systems-level software and communications software. Interactive media developers write, modify, integrate and test computer code for Internet applications, computer-based training software, computer games, film, video and other interactive media. They are employed in computer software development firms, information technology consulting firms, and in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs, % change)

1. Laval (2,461; 75%)
2. Longueuil (1,603; 52%)
3. Montréal (18,492; 30%)

13.  University professors, NOC-S E111

• 2012 Jobs: 73,063
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 6,111
• Percentage increase: 9.1%
• Average hourly earnings: $39.34

University professors teach courses to undergraduate and graduate students and conduct research at universities and degree-granting colleges. University professors who are heads of departments are included in this unit group.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs, % change)

1. Calgary [AB Division no. 6] (3,026; 49%)
2. Victoria [Capital] (2,594; 34%)
3. Montréal (11,779; 29%)

 14. Licensed Practical Nurses, NOC-S D233

• 2012 Jobs: 76,375
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 5,911
• Percentage increase: 8.4%
• Average hourly earnings: $23.61

Licensed practical nurses provide nursing care usually under the direction of medical practitioners, registered nurses or other health team members. They are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, doctors’ offices, clinics, companies, private homes and community health centres. Operating room technicians are included in this unit group.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs;% change)

1. Montréal (8,001; 67%)
2. Vancouver (4,104, 35%)
3. Ottawa (1,808; 31%)

15. Head nurses and supervisors, NOC-S D111

• 2012 Jobs: 24,569
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 5,164
• Percentage increase: 26.6%
• Average hourly earnings: $34.05

Head nurses and supervisors supervise and co-ordinate the activities of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and other nursing personnel in the provision of patient care. They are employed in health care institutions such as hospitals, clinics and nursing homes and in nursing agencies.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs; % change)

1. Edmonton [AB Division no. 11] (833, 155%)
2. Québec (893, 127%)
3. Toronto (1,512; 118%)

 16. Health policy researchers, consultants, and program officers, NOC-S E039

•  2012 Jobs: 33,368
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 4,946
• Percentage increase: 17.4%
• Average hourly earnings: $32.50

Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers conduct research, produce reports and administer health care policies and programs. They are employed by government departments and agencies, consulting establishments, universities, research institutes, hospitals, community agencies, educational institutions, professional associations, non-governmental organizations and international organizations

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs; % change)

1. York (1,096; 57%)
2. Toronto (5,991; 45%)
3. Peel (1,565; 42%)

 17. Computer Network Technicians, NOC-S C181

•  2012 Jobs: 49,885
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 4,484
• Percentage increase: 9.9%
• Average hourly earnings: $28.73

Computer network technicians establish, operate, maintain, and co-ordinate the use of local and wide area networks (LANs and WANs), mainframe networks, hardware, software and related computer equipment. They set up and maintain Internet and Intranet Web sites and Web-server hardware and software, and monitor and optimize network connectivity and performance. They are employed in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors. Supervisors of computer network technicians are included in this group.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs; % change)

1. Montréal (6,912; 70%)
2. Ottawa (3,332; 14%)
3. Calgary [AB Division no. 6] (3,246; 6%)

18. Production Clerks, NOC-S B573

•  2012 Jobs: 21,387
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 4,280
• Percentage increase: 25%
• Average hourly earnings: $22.54

Production clerks co-ordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within an establishment, prepare work and production schedules and monitor the progress of production and construction projects. Production clerks are employed by manufacturing and construction companies, printing and publishing companies and other industrial establishments.

1. York (1,082; 41%)
2. Peel (1,548; 40%)
3. Toronto (2,322; 35%)

 19. Software engineers and designers, NOC-S C073

• 2012 Jobs: 33,743
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 4,232
• Percentage increase: 14.3%
• Average hourly earnings: $39.50

Software engineers and designers research, design, evaluate, integrate and maintain software applications, technical environments, operating systems, embedded software, information warehouses and telecommunications software. They are employed in information technology consulting firms, information technology research and development firms, and information technology units throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs; % change)

1. Calgary [AB Division no. 6] (2,848; 65%)
2. Montréal (2,873; 41%)
3. Peel (2,118; 14%)

20. Graphic designers and illustrators, NOC-S F141

• 2012 Jobs: 46,915
• Change in jobs (2010 – 2012): 4,220
• Percentage increase: 9.9%
• Average hourly earnings: $23.03

Graphic designers conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for publications, advertising, films, packaging, posters, signs and interactive media such as Web sites and CD-ROMs. They are employed by advertising and graphic design firms, by establishments with advertising or communications departments and by multimedia production companies, or they may be self-employed. Graphic designers who are also supervisors, project managers or consultants are included in this unit group. Illustrators conceptualize and create illustrations to represent information through images. They are almost solely self-employed.

Top three Census Divisions (2012 jobs; % change)

1. Montréal (6,221; 26%)
2. York (2,553; 25%)
3. Peel (2,787; 23%)

Data and analysis for this post came from Analyst for Canada. If you’d like to learn more about the data we have for Canada, please contact  Fraser Martens, and follow us on Twitter at @desktopecon.