High Opportunity Occupations
Discover occupations in B.C. that are expected to offer the best opportunities over the next 10 years. High Opportunity Occupations are those that are expected to experience higher demand and offer higher pay compared to other occupations.
The British Columbia Labour Market Outlook: 2024 Edition (PDF) provides a list of high opportunity occupations for B.C. and for the seven provincial regions. High opportunity occupations are identified by answering the four key questions:
- How many job opportunities will be available?
(The number of job openings and the strength in employment growth) - How easy will it be to get a job in the future?
(Forecasted labour market tightness) - How easy is it to get a job now?
(Most recent unemployment rates) - How much is the wage?
(Employment income)
Filter High Opportunity Occupations by region, education, occupational interest and wage below.
| Occupation | Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities | Median Hourly Earnings | Job Openings to 2034 | Occupational Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 60020) | Management | $40.87 | 33,970 | Enterprising |
| Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301) | University Degree | $45.00 | 30,190 | Social |
| Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, less than 2 years | $25.19 | 22,810 | Social, Conventional |
| Senior managers - public and private sector (NOC 00018) | Management | Not available | 21,510 | Not available |
| Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years | $22.00 | 13,820 | Social |
| Financial auditors and accountants (NOC 11100) | University Degree | $37.86 | 13,170 | Conventional, Enterprising |
| Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 12200) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years | $27.00 | 11,770 | Conventional |
| Software engineers and designers (NOC 21231) | University Degree | $60.10 | 11,670 | Investigative |
| Restaurant and food service managers (NOC 60030) | Management | $26.44 | 10,580 | Enterprising |
| Construction managers (NOC 70010) | Management | $48.08 | 10,220 | Enterprising |
| Information systems specialists (NOC 21222) | University Degree | $43.96 | 9,140 | Investigative, Conventional |
| Software developers and programmers (NOC 21232) | University Degree | $48.08 | 8,940 | Investigative |
| Computer and information systems managers (NOC 20012) | Management | $59.62 | 8,850 | Enterprising |
| Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations (NOC 11202) | University Degree | $31.25 | 8,640 | Enterprising |
| Real estate agents and salespersons (NOC 63101) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, less than 2 years | $58,400* | 7,730 | Enterprising |
| Facility operation and maintenance managers (NOC 70012) | Management | $43.75 | 7,730 | Enterprising |
| Home building and renovation managers (NOC 70011) | Management | $52,000* | 7,590 | Enterprising |
| Advertising, marketing and public relations managers (NOC 10022) | Management | $52.00 | 6,430 | Enterprising |
| Lawyers and Quebec notaries (NOC 41101) | University Degree | $58.00 | 6,010 | Enterprising |
| Corporate sales managers (NOC 60010) | Management | $51.92 | 5,540 | Enterprising |
| Financial advisors (NOC 11102) | University Degree | $35.90 | 5,400 | Enterprising, Conventional |
| Insurance agents and brokers (NOC 63100) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, less than 2 years | $29.77 | 5,250 | Enterprising |
| Professional occupations in business management consulting (NOC 11201) | University Degree | $42.00 | 5,200 | Investigative, Enterprising |
| Web developers and programmers (NOC 21234) | University Degree | $37.44 | 4,810 | Investigative, Conventional, Artistic |
| Licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years | $32.00 | 4,780 | Social, Realistic |
| Manufacturing managers (NOC 90010) | Management | $53.85 | 4,770 | Enterprising, Conventional |
| Banking, credit and other investment managers (NOC 10021) | Management | $52.88 | 4,750 | Enterprising |
| Police officers (except commissioned) (NOC 42100) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years | $50.96 | 4,660 | Enterprising, Realistic, Conventional |
| Civil engineers (NOC 21300) | University Degree | $51.28 | 4,610 | Investigative, Realistic |
| Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers (NOC 72014) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years | $33.75 | 4,430 | Enterprising |
| Human resources professionals (NOC 11200) | University Degree | $41.00 | 4,350 | Enterprising, Conventional |
| Computer network and web technicians (NOC 22220) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years | $30.91 | 4,300 | Conventional, Investigative, Realistic |
| Financial managers (NOC 10010) | Management | $55.56 | 4,250 | Enterprising |
| User support technicians (NOC 22221) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years | $30.00 | 4,040 | Realistic, Conventional, Investigative |
| Managers in health care (NOC 30010) | Management | $51.28 | 4,020 | Enterprising |
| Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers (NOC 10020) | Management | $51.28 | 3,850 | Enterprising |
| Accommodation service managers (NOC 60031) | Management | $32.97 | 3,840 | Enterprising |
| General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102) | University Degree | $178,810* | 3,810 | Investigative, Social |
| Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (NOC 41301) | University Degree | $33.00 | 3,750 | Social |
| Human resources managers (NOC 10011) | Management | $56.50 | 3,690 | Enterprising |
| Social workers (NOC 41300) | University Degree | $39.00 | 3,510 | Social |
| Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (NOC 72021) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years | $39.80 | 3,260 | Enterprising |
| Electrical and electronics engineers (NOC 21310) | University Degree | $51.28 | 3,200 | Investigative, Realistic |
| Pharmacists (NOC 31120) | University Degree | $50.00 | 3,080 | Investigative |
| Managers in social, community and correctional services (NOC 40030) | Management | $45.67 | 3,080 | Enterprising, Social |
| Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations (NOC 51120) | University Degree | $38.50 | 3,040 | Enterprising, Artistic |
| Managers in transportation (NOC 70020) | Management | $57.44 | 2,970 | Enterprising |
| Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100) | University Degree | $289,998* | 2,900 | Investigative |
| School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (NOC 40021) | Management | $56.73 | 2,850 | Enterprising |
| Massage therapists (NOC 32201) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years | $43,600* | 2,710 | Social, Realistic |
| Engineering managers (NOC 20010) | Management | $67.31 | 2,680 | Enterprising |
| Mechanical engineers (NOC 21301) | University Degree | $43.27 | 2,520 | Investigative, Realistic |
| Other assisting occupations in support of health services (NOC 33109) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, less than 2 years | $24.99 | 2,510 | Social, Realistic, Conventional |
| Managers in customer and personal services (NOC 60040) | Management | $28.85 | 2,500 | Enterprising |
| Computer systems developers and programmers (NOC 21230) | University Degree | $43.27 | 2,280 | Investigative |
| Firefighters (NOC 42101) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years | $48.70 | 2,250 | Realistic |
| Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants (NOC 33100) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, less than 2 years | $30.00 | 2,180 | Realistic, Conventional |
| Physiotherapists (NOC 31202) | University Degree | $46.08 | 2,080 | Social |
| Employment insurance and revenue officers (NOC 12104) | College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years | $34.00 | 1,990 | Enterprising, Conventional |
| Business systems specialists (NOC 21221) | University Degree | $42.94 | 1,980 | Investigative, Conventional |
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