The most in-demand jobs in Canada for international graduates in 2027 are in healthcare, software and data, engineering, education, and the skilled trades, where Canada expects long-term labour shortages.
Median wages range from around CAD 40 an hour for accountants to over CAD 56 an hour for software engineers, though most graduates start below the median and build up with Canadian experience.
- Labour shortages: Over 100 occupations face a moderate or strong risk of shortage between 2024 and 2033, according to Employment and Social Development Canada
- Graduate employment: 88.6% of international graduates who stayed in Canada were employed three years after graduating (Statistics Canada)
- Post-study work: Eligible graduates can work for any employer for up to three years on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
What’s Changed
- 2026 priority occupations: In February 2026, IRCC confirmed Express Entry categories for health care and social services, STEM, trades, education and transport occupations
- 2027 under review: IRCC consulted on 2027 priorities in August and September 2026 and is considering narrowing its labour shortage categories
Which Jobs Are Most in Demand in Canada After Graduation?
Canada’s shortages are driven by an ageing population, healthcare demand, infrastructure and housing investment, and the growth of technology. The Canadian Occupational Projection System expects more than 100 occupations to face a moderate or strong risk of shortage over 2024 to 2033, with health occupations especially prominent.
The table below shows national median wages from Job Bank, updated on 19th November 2025, for some of the most common graduate roles. Annual figures assume a 37.5-hour working week.
Medians cover all workers in each occupation, not just graduates, so entry-level salaries are usually lower. You can check wages for any occupation and province on Job Bank.
What Can International Graduates Realistically Expect to Earn?
Most international graduates who stay in Canada find work, but outcomes are uneven. Statistics Canada’s National Graduates Survey found that 88.6% of international graduates were employed three years after graduating, compared with 91.0% of Canadian graduates, and earned 19.6% less on average.
Part of that gap comes from international graduates being more likely to work in sales and service jobs outside their field. Choosing a degree linked to shortage occupations, and gaining Canadian experience through co-op or internships, is the most reliable way to close it.
Expert View
“The best degree isn’t always the most prestigious one. It’s the one that aligns with your career goals and has a clear pathway into Canada’s labour market, and students who research sector demand and co-op availability before applying are consistently better positioned for a graduate role.” – Rahul Chauhan, Counsellor, StudyIn.
Which Sectors Offer the Best Graduate Careers in Canada?
Healthcare
Healthcare is Canada’s most consistent shortage area, and health care and social services is a 2026 Express Entry category. Most roles are regulated, so you’ll need to register with the relevant provincial body before you can practise.
- Graduate roles: Registered nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, medical laboratory technologist
- Degrees to consider: Nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, public health, health sciences
- Watch out for: Licensing exams and English requirements for registration, which are often higher than course entry requirements
Software, AI and Data
Toronto, Montréal, Waterloo, Vancouver and Edmonton have strong technology and AI ecosystems, and STEM is a 2026 Express Entry category. Entry-level tech hiring is competitive, so co-op experience often decides who gets hired.
- Graduate roles: Software developer, data scientist, data analyst, machine learning engineer, cybersecurity analyst
- Degrees to consider: Computer science, software engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, statistics
- Watch out for: The title “engineer” is regulated, so check accreditation if you want to become a professional engineer
Engineering
Investment in infrastructure, housing, energy and manufacturing keeps demand steady for engineers. Engineering is regulated, so an accredited degree gives you the clearest route to professional licensing.
- Graduate roles: Civil, mechanical, electrical, environmental and project engineer
- Degrees to consider: Accredited bachelor’s degrees and Master of Engineering (MEng) programmes
- Watch out for: Becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng) usually requires supervised Canadian work experience
Education and Skilled Trades
Education and trades are both 2026 Express Entry categories, driven by teacher shortages, expanding childcare and the housing build-out. College programmes offer a shorter, more affordable route into many trades.
- Graduate roles: Teacher, early childhood educator, electrician, HVAC technician
- Degrees to consider: Bachelor of Education, early childhood education diplomas, trades programmes at vocational colleges in Canada
- Watch out for: Teaching certification varies by province, and college programmes must be on the PGWP field-of-study list
Business, Finance and Accounting
Toronto is Canada’s financial centre, and Montréal and Vancouver also have strong finance and FinTech sectors. These fields aren’t targeted Express Entry categories, so graduates usually rely on Canadian work experience for PR.
- Graduate roles: Accountant, financial analyst, business analyst, risk analyst
- Degrees to consider: Accounting, finance, business analytics, economics, or an MBA in Canada if you already have work experience
- Watch out for: Accounting careers usually require the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation after your degree
Life Sciences and Biotechnology
Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver have established pharmaceutical and biotech clusters, with roles in research, clinical trials and quality assurance. Many research roles favour candidates with a master’s or PhD.
- Graduate roles: Clinical research associate, laboratory technologist, quality assurance specialist, research scientist
- Degrees to consider: Biotechnology, biomedical science, microbiology, pharmaceutical sciences
- Watch out for: Entry-level roles can be competitive, so lab experience during your degree matters
Law
Law offers well-paid careers, but it’s one of the harder routes for international students. To practise, you’ll need a Canadian Juris Doctor (JD) or an assessment by the National Committee on Accreditation, followed by provincial licensing.
- Graduate roles: Lawyer, compliance officer, legal researcher, policy advisor
- Degrees to consider: JD, or an LLM for legal specialists who don’t plan to practise in Canada
- Watch out for: An LLM alone doesn’t qualify you to practise as a lawyer in Canada
For course-level detail, compare the most in-demand courses in Canada.
Where Are the Best Graduate Jobs in Canada?
Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa are Canada’s largest graduate job markets, but each province has its own strengths:
| Province |
Key Industries |
| Ontario |
Technology, finance, healthcare, business services |
| British Columbia |
Technology, digital media, life sciences, construction |
| Alberta |
Energy, engineering, AI, skilled trades |
| Quebec |
AI, aerospace, gaming, manufacturing |
| Nova Scotia |
Healthcare, ocean sciences, engineering |
Studying in the province where you’d like to work helps you build local employer connections, and many provinces run immigration streams for their own graduates. Larger cities offer more jobs but higher living costs, so compare the cost of living in Canada by city too.
How Can You Improve Your Graduate Job Prospects?
- Choose a co-op programme: Paid placements built into your degree give you Canadian experience and employer contacts before you graduate
- Complete internships: Short placements in your field often lead directly to graduate offers
- Build technical skills: Industry software, programming languages and professional certifications make you more competitive
- Network early: Attend employer events and careers fairs from your first year, not just your final one
- Use your careers service: University careers teams help with CVs, interviews and employer introductions
Can You Stay and Work in Canada After Graduating?
Yes, if you’re eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. It lets you work for any employer for up to three years, depending on your programme length. If you’re planning to apply for PR, focus on skilled jobs in TEER categories 0 to 3, as only these count towards the Canadian Experience Class.
One year of skilled Canadian experience can make you eligible to apply through Express Entry, and many provinces also run graduate streams. Find out more about PR in Canada after study.
How Can StudyIn Help You Choose a Career-Focused Degree?
The right degree depends on your career goals, the industry you want to work in and the province where you’d like to build your career. StudyIn has over 20 years of experience helping international students, and our counsellors can help you compare programmes on graduate outcomes, co-op options and PGWP eligibility, not just rankings.
We support you through shortlisting, applications, scholarships, proof of funds, your study permit and pre-departure, and our service is free throughout. Parents are welcome to join your sessions too.
FAQs
What are the most in-demand jobs in Canada after graduation?
Healthcare roles such as registered nurses, software and data roles, engineering, teaching and skilled trades are among the most in-demand, as they’re linked to long-term labour shortages and Canada’s 2026 Express Entry categories.
How much do graduates earn in Canada?
Job Bank’s national median wages range from CAD 40.36 an hour for accountants to CAD 56.49 an hour for software engineers. Most graduates start below the median, and international graduates earned 19.6% less than Canadian graduates on average three years after graduating.
Which degree offers the best career opportunities in Canada?
Degrees in healthcare, computer science, data science and engineering offer some of the strongest prospects, along with education and trades programmes linked to shortage occupations.
Which Canadian cities have the most graduate jobs?
Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa are Canada’s largest graduate job markets, particularly for technology, engineering, healthcare and finance.
Can international students work while studying in Canada?
Yes. Eligible students can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during term and full time during scheduled breaks.
Does any job on a PGWP count towards PR?
No. Only paid, skilled work in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations counts towards the Canadian Experience Class, so retail or hospitality jobs won’t help you qualify.
