High-Demand Jobs in Canada for US Immigrants

How Your Occupation Affects Your Immigration Options

Not all occupations have the same pathways — or the same timelines. Three things your NOC code determines:

Express Entry eligibility and CRS points. Canada classifies every occupation with a NOC (National Occupational Classification) code and a TEER level. TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 occupations are eligible for Express Entry — the federal system that manages the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. Your NOC code also affects your CRS score indirectly through factors like Canadian work experience and skilled work history.

Category-based draw access. Since 2023, IRCC runs targeted Express Entry draws for specific occupation categories: healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture, and education. These draws set their own CRS cutoffs, which are typically lower than all-program draws. If your occupation qualifies, you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) faster than the general pool.

Provincial Nominee Programs. Many provinces operate streams that actively recruit specific occupations. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to your profile — which is effectively a guaranteed ITA in the next all-program draw. If you are in a field that a province is targeting, a PNP nomination is often the fastest route to PR.

Healthcare Occupations

Healthcare is one of the most actively recruited sectors in Canada. Multiple provinces run dedicated streams for healthcare professionals, and IRCC has run healthcare-specific Express Entry draws that dramatically lower CRS cutoffs for eligible applicants.

Registered Nurses — One of the most recruited professions in Canada right now. The NNAS (National Nursing Assessment Service) credential evaluation is mandatory and takes 6–12 months. After NNAS, nurses apply to the provincial college in their destination province. PNP streams specifically targeting nurses include BC Skills Immigration (Healthcare Professional), Saskatchewan Health Professionals, and Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities. Category-based Express Entry draws for healthcare have included nurses with CRS cutoffs well below the all-program average. Nurses moving to Canada from the US

Physicians and Family Doctors — Even US-trained physicians are assessed as International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in Canada and must pass Medical Council of Canada qualifying exams. The credential process takes longer than most professions — plan for 2–4 years. PNP streams targeting physicians exist in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan. Rural loan forgiveness programs offer up to $40,000–$50,000 for physicians who settle in underserved communities.

Pharmacists — Express Entry eligible under NOC 31120 (TEER 1). Each province has its own regulatory college and licensing requirements. High demand in rural and remote areas, with several provincial streams that have targeted pharmacists.

Physiotherapists — Express Entry eligible. Credential assessment through the Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulatory Boards of Canada is required before applying for provincial registration.

Occupational Therapists — Express Entry eligible. Credential assessment through CAOT (Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists) required. Provincial registration follows.

Psychologists — Express Entry eligible. Provincial licensing is required and varies significantly by province — some provinces require a doctoral degree, others accept a master’s.

Dentists — Require a credential assessment through the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) before licensing. The assessment process is longer than most healthcare professions. Strong demand across Canada, particularly outside major urban centres.

Veterinarians — Must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). Express Entry eligible. Some rural PNP streams have targeted veterinarians.

Speech-Language Pathologists — Express Entry eligible. SAC (Speech-Language and Audiology Canada) certification is the professional standard and supports provincial registration.

Medical Laboratory Technologists — Express Entry eligible. Registration with the provincial laboratory college (CMLTO in Ontario, CSMLS in other provinces) is required.

Radiological Technologists — Express Entry eligible. Provincial licensing through CAMRT or the provincial college is required.

Early Childhood Educators — Express Entry eligible under TEER 2. High demand nationwide, with provincial certification required. Several provinces have specifically targeted ECEs through Labour Market Priorities streams.

Technology Occupations

Technology workers are among the most advantaged applicants in the Canadian immigration system. No mandatory credential assessment is required for most tech roles — your degree and work experience are sufficient. Canada’s Global Talent Stream offers one of the fastest employer-supported work permits in the world, with an IRCC target of 10 business days.

Software Developers and Software Engineers — No credential assessment required. Global Talent Stream work permit targets 10 business days. BC Tech Pilot (BCPNP) has 25+ eligible NOC codes specifically for tech workers. Ontario runs dedicated tech draws through OINP. No per-country cap means Indian and Chinese engineers are not disadvantaged the way they are in the US green card queue.

Data Scientists, ML Engineers, and AI Researchers — Same Global Talent Stream access as software engineers. STEM category-based Express Entry draws specifically benefit this group. NOC 21211. TEER 1.

Cybersecurity Specialists — STEM category-based draws apply. Strong and growing demand, no separate licensing body. NOC 21220. TEER 1.

Cloud Architects and DevOps Engineers — Global Talent Stream eligible. Treated the same as software engineers for immigration purposes.

Systems Analysts and Business Analysts — Express Entry eligible. Provincial streams in Ontario and BC have included these roles.

Database Administrators — Express Entry eligible. NOC 21223. TEER 1.

Network Engineers — Express Entry eligible. NOC 21222. TEER 1.

UX and UI Designers — Express Entry eligible. NOC classification depends on the specific role — some fall under TEER 1, others under TEER 2. Worth confirming the correct code before building a profile.

Engineering Occupations

Regulated engineering professions in Canada require registration with the provincial engineering association to practise as a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng). You can work as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) while completing your P.Eng designation — and EIT work experience counts toward Express Entry CRS points.

Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineers — All TEER 1, Express Entry eligible. P.Eng registration required for independent practice. Provincial associations include PEO (Ontario), APEGA (Alberta), EGBC (BC). US engineers can use a TN work permit under CUSMA as a bridge while pursuing PR. 

Environmental Engineers — Express Entry eligible. Strong demand in BC and Ontario. P.Eng required for licensed practice.

Chemical Engineers — Express Entry eligible. P.Eng required. NOC 21320.

Petroleum and Oil and Gas Engineers — Alberta is the primary destination. AINP (Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program) has strong streams for engineering roles in the energy sector. NOC 21330.

Structural Engineers — Express Entry eligible. P.Eng required. Typically fall under civil engineering NOC codes.

Geoscientists and Geologists — PGeo designation required for licensed practice. Strong demand in Alberta and BC, particularly in mining, oil and gas, and environmental consulting.

Note: Software engineers and IT professionals should refer to the tech workers page — the credential and pathway process is entirely different, and P.Eng is not applicable.

Finance and Business

Accountants and CPAs — CPA Canada assesses foreign credentials. Express Entry eligible. Strong demand across all provinces. NOC 11100. TEER 1.

Financial Analysts — Express Entry eligible. CFA designation is internationally recognised. NOC 11101. TEER 1.

Financial Advisors — Provincial securities licensing required (CSC exam through CSI). Express Entry eligible. NOC 11102.

Management Consultants — Express Entry eligible. No separate licensing body in Canada. NOC 11200. TEER 1.

HR Managers — Express Entry eligible. CPHR designation is optional but valued. NOC 10011.

Supply Chain and Logistics Managers — Express Entry eligible. SCMA (Supply Chain Management Association) recognises CSCMP credentials. NOC 10016.

Project Managers — Express Entry eligible. PMP is recognised and widely used in Canada. NOC 10019.

Skilled Trades

Canada runs category-based Express Entry draws specifically targeting skilled trades and has multiple PNP streams for tradespeople. The Red Seal program allows tradespeople to practise across provinces without re-certifying in each one.

Electricians — Red Seal certification allows interprovincial mobility. Very high demand in BC, Alberta, and Ontario. Multiple PNP streams have targeted electricians. NOC 72200. TEER 2.

Plumbers — Red Seal certification. Strong demand. Provincial licensing required. NOC 72300. TEER 2.

Welders — Red Seal optional but valuable. Express Entry eligible through FST (Federal Skilled Trades Program) and several PNP streams. High demand in Alberta and BC. NOC 72106. TEER 2.

Carpenters — Red Seal certification. Express Entry eligible. NOC 72310. TEER 2.

Heavy Equipment Operators — Express Entry eligible. High demand in resource provinces — Alberta, Saskatchewan, BC. NOC 73400. TEER 3.

Transport

Long-Haul Truck Drivers — Canada has run dedicated category-based Express Entry draws for transport occupations, including truck drivers. Extremely high demand nationwide. The MELT (Mandatory Entry-Level Training) program is required for a Class 1 licence in Canada. NOC 73300. TEER 3.

Education

Teachers (K-12) — Teacher certification is entirely provincial — each province has its own college of teachers and its own assessment process. Strong demand in BC, Alberta, Ontario, and rural areas across the country. Several provinces have actively recruited US-trained teachers and have streamlined the assessment for American credentials. Category-based Express Entry draws for education have benefited K-12 teachers. Full page: Teachers moving to Canada from the US →

University Professors and Lecturers — Express Entry eligible under NOC 41200 (TEER 1). No separate licensing body. Job market is competitive at the postsecondary level, but PR eligibility is strong.

Other In-Demand Professions

Architects — CACB (Canadian Architectural Certification Board) credential assessment required. Provincial licensing follows. Express Entry eligible. NOC 21200. TEER 1.

Urban Planners — Express Entry eligible. MCIP (Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners) designation is the professional standard. NOC 21202. TEER 1.

Social Workers — Provincial college registration is required and varies by province. Express Entry eligible. NOC 41300. TEER 1.

Chefs and Cooks — Red Seal optional. Express Entry eligible. The Agri-Food Pilot has targeted food processing workers and cooks in some streams. NOC codes vary by level (chef vs. cook vs. food service supervisor).

Not Sure Which Category You Fall Into?

Canada uses the TEER classification system under NOC 2021 to categorise every occupation. Your NOC code determines which Express Entry programs you qualify for and how your work experience is counted.

TEER 0 (senior management), TEER 1 (professional), TEER 2 (technical/trade apprenticeship), and TEER 3 (trade/field work) are all eligible for Express Entry. TEER 4 and TEER 5 are not.

If you are unsure of your NOC code, this is one of the first things an RCIC will confirm in an assessment — it affects every calculation that follows.