Top 20+ Trending Jobs in Alberta Canada Right Now

Starting from occupation that are high in demand to regular career fields, there are many jobs in Alberta Canada for qualified applicants. Top cities in Alberta such as Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurry, Swiftcurrent, etc have abundance of jobs in the government sector, oil and gas industry, Agriculture, IT and health.

Location of Alberta

Alberta is located in  the west of Canada and has boundary with the United States of America. Alberta is  a very conducive place to live and work in Canada for both old and new  settlers in  Canada. Families enjoy good living and a high family income when they work in Alberta, Canada.

Adding to attractions to the province of Alberta are many beautiful parks such as the world-famous Banff National Park which allow the province’s residents a perfect getaway to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. This generally improves work life balance for Alberta employees.

What kind of jobs are in Alberta?

There are so many trending jobs for young professionals and immigrants in Alberta’s major industries such as service, forestry education, finance, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing, particularly gas and oil.

People who resides in  Alberta are among the youngest in the country, especially in the major metropolitan city of Calgary.  Immigrants are also  welcomed to live and work in Canada through the Alberta Immigration Nomination Program (AINP).

Conditions and rules for working in Alberta

When you get jobs in Alberta, you must abide by the rules governing workers in Alberta. The following conditions apply to jobs in Alberta:

1. Employers must pay at least the minimum wage.
2. The current general minimum wage applies to all employees, with the exception of students under 18.
3. A new job creation student wage was implemented June 26, 2019. Restrictions apply.
4. Wages don’t include tips or expense money.
5. There are separate weekly and monthly minimum wages for some salespersons and domestic employees.
6. Employees must be paid at least 3 hours of pay at the minimum wage each time they go to work
7. Maximum deductions below minimum wage for provided meals and lodging are $3.35 per consumed meal and $4.41 per day’s lodging.

Alberta Occupations in Demand

While most occupations are eligible under the AINP, there are some occupations that are in higher demand in the province of Alberta, and workers who has the needed skills and qualifications in these occupations will  have a  big  opportunities in settling  and working in Alberta Canada.

Eligible jobs for Alberta Opportunity Stream includes:

• Business, finance, and administration occupations.
• Natural and applied sciences and related occupations.
• Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations.

High demand occupations in Alberta are the following:

• Managerial occupations.
•  Business, finance and administration occupations.
•  Natural and Applied Sciences and Related Occupations.
•  Health Occupations.
•  Occupation in Social Science, Education, Government Service, and Religion.
•  Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation, and Sport.
•  Sales and Service Occupations.
•  Trades, Transport and Equipment Operators and Related Occupations.
•  Occupations Unique to Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities.

Occupation in demand in Alberta for immigrants 

A Canadian government study highlights some of the occupations that actually increased in demand due to the pandemic in Alberta. These are some trending jobs in Alberta.

Occupations are listed in order of their National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. For more on specific job prospects, the federal government also offers a trend analysis tool where jobseekers can view the trends in their own occupations of interest.

#1. Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213)

These tech professionals oversee and evaluate the activities of organizations that administer digital software and other information systems. After the pandemic was declared in March 2020, employment in this occupation was not affected in Alberta.

Despite the pandemic employment levels trended up in 2020 compared to 2019.

#2. Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers (NOC 1228)

The onset of the pandemic resulted in an influx of applications for government programs, such as Employment Insurance, and the newly-created Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), among others.

These agents are employed by the government. They are tasked to enforce laws and regulations related to immigration, customs, border crossing, taxes, employment insurance and other benefits.

Employment for these occupations was higher throughout 2020 compared year-over-year to 2019

#3. Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171)

Employment was not affected for these tech professionals. Information systems analysts and consultants test systems requirements, and provide advice on information systems issues. They may be employed in tech consulting firms, or they may be self employed.

In April 2020, employment for this occupation was 47 per cent higher compared to April 2019. The average employment levels trended higher throughout the year.

#4. Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)

Typically employed in IT consulting firms, database analysts develop data management solutions while data administrators implement data administration policy, standards and models.

Employment for database analysts and administrators was not affected by the pandemic in Alberta. Year over year, employment levels trended up throughout 2020.

The shift to increase technology and data usage among organizations has increased demand for this occupation. As the importance of information and databases increase, so too will the demand for data analysts and administrators.

#5. Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173)

Software engineers and designers integrate and maintain a variety of different software. They are oftentimes employed in IT consulting, as well as research and development firms. They may also be self-employed.

The tech industry in Alberta, has grown in recent years. There are more than 400 tech companies in Calgary, which could account for some 2,000 job vacancies, including positions for software engineers and designers.

#6. Construction inspectors (NOC 2264)

Construction inspectors inspect new and existing infrastructure to ensure buildings are up to code. They are employed by governments, construction companies, as well as architectural and civil engineering consulting firms. They may also be self-employed.

Employment in this occupation was not affected by the pandemic in April 2020. In fact, it was 24 per cent higher compared to 2019. Employment also trended up year-over-year in the months following.

Throughout the pandemic, the construction industry was considered “essential” and allowed to continue operation even during the height of coronavirus-related restrictions.

Although overall construction activity was muted in 2020, the residential sector remained resilient. Nursing coordinators and supervisors (NOC 3011)

Nursing supervisors oversee activities of registered nurses in health care institutions. Average employment levels in 2020 trended up throughout the year and also available in 2021

Mount Royal University is expanding its Bridge to Canadian Nursing program to train more international nurses. The 10 to 14-month-long programs will allow guide international immigrants on the path to begin practicing in Alberta.

#7. Pharmacists (NOC 3131)

Pharmacists dispense prescriptions to patience, and provide consultative services to health care providers. They may be employed in retail pharmacies, or they may be self-employed. Industrial pharmacists are in the research and development branch, and are employed by pharmaceutical companies as well as government departments and agencies.

In April 2020, employment for this occupation was 14 per cent higher compared to the year before.

In recent years, community pharmacists in Alberta have taken on more responsibilities in the health sector. They can now administer vaccines, modify prescriptions, and manage a patient’s diabetes or smoking addiction.

#8. Family, marriage and other related counsellors (NOC 4153)

Family, marriage and other related counsellors help people overcome personal problems and achieve their goals. They work in counselling centers, government agencies, or they may work in private practice.

#9. Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers (NOC 4165)

Health policy researchers produce reports and administer healthcare policies. They are often employed by the government, consulting establishments, universities, hospitals, as well as non-governmental and international and community organizations.

#10. Social Service workers (NOC 4212)

Social and community service workers implement programming that helps clients deal with personal and social problems. They work for government agencies, mental health agencies, group homes, and other establishments.

The recession caused by the pandemic disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations. People battling addictions, homelessness, and victims of domestic abuse are among the hardest-hit.

The result has been an increase in demand for social workers to help individuals and families seek help and access community services.

#11. Contractors and supervisor, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers (NOC 7205)

These skilled trades professionals supervise the activities of various trades persons, including masonry and plastering trades among others. They are employed by a wide range of establishments, or they may operate their own business.

The construction industry was deemed essential, and operated throughout the pandemic. A large source of employment for construction came from the residential sector.

Moving to Alberta for work

For an International skilled personnel to work in Alberta, you will need to immigrate to the province using one of her provincial nominee programs, such as the opportunity stream, Alberta PNP, Express entry, Occupation in Demand category, and so on. Each of these programs are as detailed below.

Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS)

Foreigners can live and  work in Canada through the AOS. Alberta welcomes skilled and unskilled individuals but they must have a valid work permits and can also be given the opportunities for full-time job offers which qualifies them to apply to the AOS for the aim of settling in the province permanently.

Immigration programs for Jobs in Alberta

Although you do not necessarily need a job offer to apply for Canadian immigration, skilled work experience goes a long way toward an immigration application. For the long term, work experience in Canada, specifically, is likely to improve your earning potential, according to a 2021 Statistics Canada study.

All of these occupations fall into the “skilled work” category. Which means, they may count toward eligibility for one of the three Federal High Skilled programs, managed by the Express Entry system. Express Entry itself is not a “program.” It is an application management system for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Eligible candidates (those with permits and a minimum age for working in the province) get a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Points are awarded for skilled work experience, education, age, official language ability, among other factors. The highest scoring candidates get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian immigration. If the federal government approves them, they become Canadian permanent residents.

Express Entry is the most popular immigration pathway. According to the federal government’s 2021 immigration targets, Express Entry-managed programs are expected to account for 108,500 new permanent residents this year alone.

The Express Entry system is also the first step into the Alberta Express Entry Stream. Candidates who have a CRS score of at least 300 may be eligible for a provincial nomination from the Alberta government’s immigration branch called the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP).

The Alberta Express Entry Stream is an example of a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Although the federal government has the final say in all immigration applications, a provincial nomination can go a long way to ensuring a “Yes!” from Canada. They may take longer and end up costing more money, but they can be an option for people who couldn’t otherwise qualify for a federal immigration program.

Another Alberta PNP is the Alberta Opportunity Stream. This one is specifically for skilled workers who are working in an eligible occupation in Alberta. None of the 12 occupations listed above are currently on the ineligible occupations list, however, occupation eligibility is subject to other factors. For example, you cannot be nominated under this stream if you do not meet the minimum work experience requirement of 30 hours per week for six months.

Non-Alberta Opportunity Stream Jobs

The following jobs in Alberta are not under the Alberta Opportunity Stream:

Managerial Occupations:

NOC Code    Ineligible Occupations

0011    Legislators

0422    School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education

0423    Managers in social, community and correctional services

0432    Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers

0651*    Escort agency managers, massage parlour managers

1227    Court officers and justices of the peace

Health Occupations:

NOC Code    Ineligible Occupations

3223*    Dental laboratory assistants/bench workers

Occupation in Social Science, Education, Government Service, and Religion

NOC Code    Ineligible Occupations

4031    Secondary school teachers

4032    Elementary school and kindergarten teachers

4154    Professional occupations in religion

4214*    Early childhood educators who do not have certification through Alberta Children’s Services – Child Care Staff Certification Office or who have been certified as child development assistant (formerly Level 1)

4216    Other instructors

4217    Other religious occupations

4411    Home child care providers

4412    Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations

4413    Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants

Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation, and Sport:

NOC Code    Ineligible Occupations

5121    Authors and writers

5133    Musicians and singers

5135    Actors and comedians

5136    Painters, sculptors and other visual artists

5232    Other performers, not elsewhere classified

5244    Artisans and craftspersons

5251    Athletes

Sales and Service Occupations:

NOC Code    Ineligible Occupations

6232    Real estate agents and salespersons

6533    Casino occupations

6564    Other personal service occupations

6623    Other sales related occupations

6722    Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport

6742    Other service support occupations, not elsewhere classified

Trades, Transport and Equipment Operators and Related Occupation:

NOC Code    Ineligible Occupations

7513    Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs

Occupations Unique to Primary Industry:

NOC Code    Ineligible Occupations

8442    Trappers and hunters

8611    Harvesting labourers

8612    Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers

8613    Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers

8614    Mine labourers

Alberta Express Entry Stream

Express Entry candidates who receive a Notification of Interest letter from Alberta can apply to the Alberta Express Entry Stream to live and work in Canada permanently. Alberta nominates a limited number of qualified candidates from the Express Entry pool. The candidate who typically receives a letter of interest from the province is the one who can show strong ties to Alberta, such as relevant work experience or a full-time job offer from an employer in the province.

Other top jobs in Alberta for old and new settlers 

The following Jobs in Alberta are always available for both old and new residents in Alberta:

1. Food Service Supervisor (NOC 6311).
2. Judicial Clerk.
3. Library Assistant.
4. Warehouse Team Lead.
5. Software Engineer.
6. Insulator Journeyperson.
7. Field Service Engineer.
8. Immigration Consultant.
9. Food Service Supervisor.
10. Assembler.
11. Forklift Driver – Pipeyard.
12. In-Service Inspector.

Highest paying jobs in Alberta

Many professionals in Alberta earn moderately high income compared to their counterparts in some other Canadian provinces. Jobs in Alberta tends to pay higher probably due to the presence of oil and gas industries with above average salaries.

List of highest paying jobs in Alberta.

• Surgeons / Doctors
  • Salary Range: from 225,000 CAD to 756,000 CAD
• Judges
  • Salary Range: from 189,000 CAD to 635,000 CAD
• Lawyers
  • Salary Range: from 153,000 CAD to 514,000 CAD
• Bank Managers
  • Salary Range: from 144,000 CAD to 484,000 CAD
• Chief Executive Officers
  • Salary Range: from 135,000 CAD to 453,000 CAD
• Chief Financial Officers
  • Salary Range: from 126,000 CAD to 423,000 CAD
• Orthodontists
  • Salary Range: from 121,000 CAD to 408,000 CAD
• College Professors
  • Salary Range: from 108,000 CAD to 363,000 CAD
• Pilots
  • Salary Range: from 89,900 CAD to 302,000 CAD
• Marketing Directors
  • Salary Range: from 80,900 CAD to 272,000 CAD