🇨🇦 In-Depth: Most Attractive Sectors for Immigrants in Calgary and Edmonton (2026–2027)

Both Calgary and Edmonton play major roles in Alberta’s economic and immigration outlook — but they have distinct labour demands and growth opportunities. These differences affect where job seekers (especially immigrants and temporary workers) will find the strongest demand and settlement potential.

📍 Calgary — Sector Strengths (2026–2027)

Calgary’s economy is shaped by healthcare growth, construction demand, professional services, and evolving tech roles:

🩺 1. Healthcare & Social Assistance

The Calgary region is expected to see continued demand for healthcare services:

Health care and social assistance have been among the fastest-growing employment sectors, with thousands of new jobs added recently. Growth is driven by demographic shifts and rising care needs.
Alberta’s overall health sector is projected to grow by about 11 % between 2024 and 2027, reflecting broad provincial trends affecting Calgary as well.

This means nurses, healthcare aides, technicians, and allied health professionals remain strong opportunities for immigrants.

🏗️ 2. Construction & Trades

Construction and skilled trades are among Calgary’s largest employers:

Between 2024 and 2033, Calgary is expected to generate hundreds of thousands of job openings, many driven by infrastructure, residential development, and urban expansion.
Trades including electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, and heavy equipment operators are essential to support ongoing growth.

Calgary’s labour forecasts show construction as a major driver of job creation, making this sector a key target for workers, including international immigrants.

🧠 3. Professional, Scientific & Technical Services

The professional and technical services sector is growing in Calgary, with opportunities in:

Engineering and architecture
IT consulting and technical services
Management and business support
Recent labour market data shows services sectors, especially those requiring specialized skills, have been adding jobs — pointing to future demand beyond traditional energy roles.

💻 4. Technology & Digital Roles

Tech and digital transformation are gaining ground:

Calgary’s labour market reviews highlight technology and digital jobs as part of future growth, supported by innovation, investment, and corporate expansion.
Roles like software developers, data analysts, and IT infrastructure specialists are increasingly important for the city’s diversification.

Tech may not yet rival healthcare or construction in sheer volume, but it’s one of the fastest-growing employment areas.

📍 Edmonton — Sector Strengths (2026–2027)

Edmonton’s economy reflects a broader set of labour demands — including healthcare, trades, transport, and emerging tech opportunities — supported by robust regional growth.

🩺 1. Healthcare Occupations

Edmonton’s job demand for healthcare roles is significant:

Nearly 80 % of healthcare jobs in the region are projected to face labour shortages between 2024 and 2026.
An estimated ~90,000 openings in healthcare occupations are anticipated over the next decade, driven by population growth and service expansion.

This makes nurses, healthcare aides, pharmacy assistants, and allied health professionals prime opportunities for immigrants entering the local labour market.

🛠️ 2. Trades, Transport & Equipment Operators

Edmonton’s employment trends — supported by a mix of goods-producing and construction projects — show strong demand for trades and transport roles:

About 59 % of trades, transport, and equipment operator jobs are expected to be in shortage between 2024 and 2026.
Up to 220,000 openings in this category are forecasted in Alberta over the decade, and much of this applies to Edmonton as a major economic hub.

These roles include truck drivers, mechanics, electricians, welders, and construction trades — occupations often targeted for immigration support due to labour gaps.

🚚 3. Transportation & Logistics Growth

Edmonton’s transportation and logistics sector continues expanding:

The growth of e-commerce and supply chain infrastructure boosts demand for transport truck drivers and logistics support roles.
Projects like freeway conversions and major infrastructure expansions in the region suggest ongoing job creation in transport and logistics.

For newcomers with relevant experience, transport and logistics roles remain promising.

💼 4. Business, Finance & Administration

Edmonton’s labour outlook also points to demand in business and administrative roles:

An estimated 52 % of business, finance, and administrative jobs may face labour shortages through 2026, offering opportunities for workers with relevant training.

This includes positions like administrative assistants, account specialists, and operations coordinators — roles often accessible with a combination of education and experience.

📊 Shared Demand Across Both Cities (2026–2027)

Certain sectors are high priority in both Calgary and Edmonton, aligned with Alberta’s occupational outlook and immigration strategy:

🏥 Healthcare & Social Services

Healthcare is a consistent labour gap across both region forecasts, driven by demographic change and long-term population needs.

🛠️ Trades & Skilled Labour

Both regions show ongoing shortages in trades and skilled labour, especially in construction and equipment operator categories.

💻 Technology & Digital Roles

While tech demand is strong in Calgary, similar roles are emerging in Edmonton as businesses invest in digital services and infrastructure.

🚚 Transportation & Logistics

Both cities need transportation workers and logistics support to match economic activity and supply chain growth.

🧠 What This Means for Immigrants

📈 Access to Immigration Streams

Targeted sectors like healthcare, construction, trades, and tech also align with Alberta’s immigration pathways, such as the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) which prioritizes workers in in-demand occupations and with Alberta work experience.

🤝 Employment & Settlement Potential

With labour shortages in key fields, newcomers with skills in these areas are more likely to:

Secure job offers quickly
Build Canadian work experience
Be competitive for provincial nominations and PR pathways

📌 Summary — City Comparison

Calgary

Strengths: Healthcare, construction & trades, professional services, tech
Why it matters: More diversified labour demand, strong healthcare and tech growth, ongoing residential and infrastructure investment

Edmonton

Strengths: Healthcare, trades & transport, logistics, business & admin
Why it matters: Balanced demand between goods-producing and services sectors, large regional infrastructure activity, high forecasted labour needs

🏁 Final Takeaway

For immigrants planning their careers in Alberta’s two largest cities, aligning skills with these priority sectors can significantly improve job prospects and enhance pathways toward permanent residence. Focus on healthcare, skilled trades, technology (especially in Calgary), and transportation/logistics (strong in both cities) — all backed by official labour forecasts and policy trends pointing toward sustained demand in 2026–2027.