Toronto Region
Labour Market Information (LMI) for Toronto is gathered through various data sources related to employment including job posting data, Statistics Canada, and the City of Toronto.
Toronto is almost unique in the Canadian job market in that it hosts almost every major industry and almost always has thousands of jobs that remain unfilled. Having said that, many smaller communities in Ontario are desperate for new workers. Conducting labour market research will reveal many more options for a learner's career in Canada.
Older Job Seekers
Workers with Disability
Black Workforce
Visible Minority Workforce
Newcomers (2011-2021)
Tips on searching for Toronto's labour market information
Seasonal fluctuations: Is this work more in demand at certain times of year? Some jobs do not last all year round.
Are there things going on in an industry that could affect its future employment opportunities?
Technological advances: Has the field been impacted by changes in technology (e.g. online shopping)?
Do you speak a language other than English? This can be a real asset, as employers are increasingly looking for employees who can communicate in more than one language (see Labour Market Insights tab).
Not all labour market information sources are reliable. Some industries ‘over inflate’ their demand for workers. Other times, the information is out of date. Always check the date of publication.
Good Sources of labour market information
Aside from TWIG's Quarterly labour market insights report, the following are good sources:
The Job Bank which is published and updated by the Federal Government. The site provides:
credible resource for finding a job, exploring fields of studies, and seeing how well graduates of those programs are doing in the job market.
job prospects for a given occupation or location in Canada
wage comparisons between occupations and different parts of the country.
Ontario’s labour market website is a user-friendly site that serves:
as a one-stop location for connecting users to tools, data, and analysis for career exploration
features 500 job profiles to help learners and job seekers explore their first or next career
to identify opportunities for relevant education, training and re-skilling.
Toronto Workforce Innovation Group’s (TWIG) Labour Market Insights Report that contains:
monthly snapshots on Toronto workforce trends
in-demand occupations
wages & benefits being offered
industry sectors requiring workers
employment locations in Toronto
language skills employers are looking for
Soon TWIG will also be publishing information on the types of jobs that will allow you to work from home
Toronto Labour Market Data Jan 2024-Jan 2025
Job Post Trends Chart Description
The data shows a sharp decline in hiring activity from mid-2024 to early 2025, with companies hiring dropping from a peak of 16,615 in May-24 to 6,030 by Jan-25. Active job posts fell 74% from their June-24 high of 63,324 to 16,473 in Jan-25, reflecting reduced labor market demand. This trend suggests a cooling job market, particularly evident in the steep drop-off after August-24.
Demand by Occupation
The job market data highlights healthcare and retail roles as dominant sectors, with Registered Nurses (6,152) and Retail Salespersons (6,514) leading in demand.
Key Job Requirements
Value still remains in knowing Microsoft Office and other certificates like First Aid and food safety. Criminal record check and regular access to a vehicle is also required in many jobs.
Top In-Demand Skills
Skills like organization, relationships, interpersonal abilities, and leadership are also valued by employers, underscoring the need for candidates who can effectively communicate, manage teams, and foster strong working relationships. Even skill such as Operations are sought after.
Experience Insights Chart
The data highlights mid-career roles as the most in-demand, with 5+ years of experience leading at 26,658 job postings, followed closely by 3+ years (24,374). This underscores employers’ preference for seasoned professionals, though entry-level opportunities (1+ years: 19,796) remain available. The sharp decline at 10+ years (8,665) suggests senior roles are less common despite the broader emphasis on experience.
Education Insights Chart
The data shows university degrees dominate education requirements, with 25,920 job postings demanding this credential—far exceeding other categories. High school diplomas (11,146) and college certificates (7,589) follow, while trades (6,406) and post-graduate certificates (193) trail significantly. Notably, no formal education roles are rare (92), emphasizing employers’ strong preference for formal qualifications.
Top Hiring Sectors:
The data reveals Finance and Insurance (35,870) and Healthcare (31,385) as Toronto’s largest employment sectors, reflecting sustained demand for financial services and care economy roles. Professional/Scientific/Technical Services (32,134) and Retail Trade (26,560) follow, driven by tech innovation and consumer-facing needs.
Top Hiring Companies:
Toronto’s hiring landscape in early 2025 is dominated by financial institutions, healthcare providers, and educational organizations, with notable activity in IT and public sectors.
Toronto Labour Market Data Jan 2023-Jan 2024
Job Post Trends Chart Description
The mixed bar and line chart shows the number of new job posts, active job posts, and companies hiring over the last 12 months for the selected period.
The data suggests a cooling job market from mid-2023 onward, with fewer companies hiring and declining active job posts. However, the Jan 2024 rebound in new job posts hints at seasonal recovery or strategic hiring by companies despite reduced participation.
Demand by Occupation
Roles like Registered Nurses, Administrative Assistants, and Retail Salespersons show both high posting counts and alignment with long-term labor market needs. Skilled trades (e.g., electricians, welders) and tech roles (e.g., software developers) are also prioritized in immigration pathways, indicating sustained demand.
Key trends include: Persistent shortages in nursing, trades (e.g., electricians, plumbers), and construction roles due to infrastructure projects and aging populations. Software developers, financial analysts, and business analysts are highlighted as critical for innovation and economic stability
Key Job Requirements
Value still remains in knowing Microsoft Office and other certificates like First Aid and Smart Serve.
Education Insights Chart
A university degree unlocks the most opportunities, but college/trade certifications and high school diplomas still provide pathways into specific sectors.
Top In-Demand Skills
"Soft Skills" are Critical: Notice that the top skills are largely "soft skills." This suggests employers aren't just looking for technical expertise, but also individuals who can communicate effectively, lead teams, and manage relationships.
Management is a Major Focus: The strong demand for management skills indicates Toronto’s economic activities require organized leadership.
Skills like organization, relationships, interpersonal abilities, and leadership are also valued by employers, underscoring the need for candidates who can effectively communicate, manage teams, and foster strong working relationships. Even skill such as Operations are sought after.
Top Hiring Sectors:
Toronto's job market, with 361,587 active postings, is heavily concentrated in professional, scientific, and technical services (51,494 postings), finance and insurance (42,894 postings), and retail trade (41,294 postings), reflecting a strong demand for knowledge-based roles and consumer-facing positions. While industries such as agriculture and mining have limited opportunities, healthcare (39,184 postings), administration (41,167 postings), and accommodation and food services (21,619 postings) also feature prominently, highlighting the diverse needs of Toronto's economy.
Top Hiring Companies:
BMO Harris Bank (5,926 postings), TD Bank Group (5,359 postings), and the University Health Network (5,033 postings) are the top employers in Toronto, signaling strong activity in finance/banking and healthcare. University of Toronto (4,879 postings), Scotiabank (4,635 postings), and major consulting firms like Deloitte (3,926 postings), and RBC (3,857 postings) also actively hiring.
