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: 2021 Edition provides a list of high opportunity occupations for B.C. and for the seven economic regions. High opportunity occupations are identified by answering the four key questions:
       1. How many job opportunities will be available?
           (The number of job openings and the strength in employment growth)
       2. How easy will it be to get a job in the future?
           (Forecast labour market tightness)
       3. How easy is it to get a job now?
           (Most recent unemployment and employment insurance rates)
       4. How much is the wage? 
           (Current wage rate)


Search for high opportunity occupations by region, education and occupational interest below.

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A degree is the typical education background
OccupationOccupational InterestMedian Hourly WageJob Openings to 2031
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 3012) Investigative, Social $41.00 20,140
Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171) Investigative, Conventional $37.00 13,120
Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174) Investigative, Conventional $43.27 12,620
Financial auditors and accountants (NOC 1111) Conventional $29.59 11,150
Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173) Investigative $52.00 9,350
Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213) Enterprising $50.00 8,030
Senior managers - financial, communications and other business services (NOC 0013) Enterprising $63.19 6,520
Other financial officers (NOC 1114) Enterprising, Conventional $33.33 5,850
Accommodation service managers (NOC 0632) Enterprising $26.44 5,760
Technical sales specialists - wholesale trade (NOC 6221) Enterprising $27.00 5,720
College and other vocational instructors (NOC 4021) Social $42.31 5,260
Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations (NOC 1123) Enterprising $28.72 5,240
Professional occupations in business management consulting (NOC 1122) Conventional, Investigative, Enterprising $37.97 5,060
Lawyers and Quebec notaries (NOC 4112) Enterprising $115,621* 4,910
Financial managers (NOC 0111) Enterprising, Conventional $45.67 4,900
Civil engineers (NOC 2131) Investigative, Realistic $41.83 4,410
Web designers and developers (NOC 2175) Artistic, Investigative, Conventional $32.21 4,310
Advertising, marketing and public relations managers (NOC 0124) Enterprising $39.32 4,130
Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants (NOC 4163) Enterprising $33.33 4,050
Senior managers - construction, transportation, production and utilities (NOC 0016) Enterprising $49.32 3,960
Senior managers - trade, broadcasting and other services, n.e.c. (NOC 0015) Enterprising $36.15 3,900
Banking, credit and other investment managers (NOC 0122) Enterprising $43.59 3,640
Musicians and singers (NOC 5133) Artistic $19,515* 3,640
Other instructors (NOC 4216) Social $17.31 3,430
Human resources professionals (NOC 1121) Social, Enterprising, Conventional $37.00 3,320
General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 3112) Investigative $164,237* 3,270
Managers in health care (NOC 0311) Enterprising $46.00 3,240
Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers (NOC 0121) Enterprising $48.08 3,120
Social workers (NOC 4152) Social $37.00 3,000
Specialist physicians (NOC 3111) Investigative $256,202* 3,000
Other administrative services managers (NOC 0114) Enterprising $43.59 2,960
Human resources managers (NOC 0112) Enterprising $50.48 2,890
Managers in social, community and correctional services (NOC 0423) Enterprising $34.62 2,830
Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations (NOC 0014) Enterprising $45.96 2,810
Family, marriage and other related counsellors (NOC 4153) Social $31.20 2,680
Other business services managers (NOC 0125) Enterprising $45.67 2,480
Electrical and electronics engineers (NOC 2133) Investigative, Realistic $44.38 2,430
Mechanical engineers (NOC 2132) Investigative, Realistic $37.50 2,210
Professional occupations in religion (NOC 4154) Social, Enterprising $23.33 2,170
Authors and writers (NOC 5121) Artistic, Investigative $30.10 2,080
Corporate sales managers (NOC 0601) Enterprising $31.25 2,050
Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors (NOC 3011) Investigative, Social $43.25 1,920
School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (NOC 0422) Enterprising $48.08 1,870
Physiotherapists (NOC 3142) Social $41.39 1,860
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (NOC 2147) Realistic, Investigative $53.85 1,670
Engineering managers (NOC 0211) Enterprising $50.00 1,590
Purchasing managers (NOC 0113) Enterprising $44.71 1,580
Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172) Conventional $37.50 1,530
Financial and investment analysts (NOC 1112) Conventional, Enterprising $36.06 1,530
Dentists (NOC 3113) Investigative, Realistic $104,055* 1,510
Pharmacists (NOC 3131) Investigative $98,725* 1,440
Administrators - post-secondary education and vocational training (NOC 0421) Enterprising $50.48 1,430
Conference and event planners (NOC 1226) Enterprising $23.08 1,430
Architects (NOC 2151) Artistic $36.06 1,400
Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers (NOC 4161) Investigative, Enterprising, Realistic $36.06 1,390
Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors (NOC 0513) Enterprising $53,753* 1,390
Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers (NOC 4166) Enterprising $38.46 1,350
Senior government managers and officials (NOC 0012) Enterprising $56.83 1,310
Supervisors, finance and insurance office workers (NOC 1212) Enterprising, Conventional $33.65 1,210
Occupational therapists (NOC 3143) Social, Investigative $42.00 990
Psychologists (NOC 4151) Investigative $50.00 990
Utilities managers (NOC 0912) Enterprising $61.30 920
Managers - publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts (NOC 0512) Enterprising $33.68 910
Dietitians and nutritionists (NOC 3132) Investigative, Social $35.27 860
Information systems testing technicians (NOC 2283) Investigative, Conventional $32.69 830
Veterinarians (NOC 3114) Investigative $85,140* 760
Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment (NOC 3144) Social, Investigative $25.00 750
Allied primary health practitioners (NOC 3124) Social $45.00 690
Architecture and science managers (NOC 0212) Enterprising $50.55 660
Other managers in public administration (NOC 0414) Enterprising $52.82 540
Chiropractors (NOC 3122) Social $53,032* 530
Government managers - economic analysis, policy development and program administration (NOC 0412) Enterprising $53.42 530
Audiologists and speech-language pathologists (NOC 3141) Social, Investigative $41.91 520
Legislators (NOC 0011) Enterprising $65,769* 500
Geological engineers (NOC 2144) Realistic, Investigative $48.10 430
Medical sonographers (NOC 3216) Realistic, Social $36.71 400
Other professional engineers, n.e.c. (NOC 2148) Investigative, Realistic $43.27 390
Optometrists (NOC 3121) Investigative, Social, Realistic $73,717* 340
Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (NOC 3125) Social, Investigative $55,235* 250
Aerospace engineers (NOC 2146) Investigative, Realistic $42.50 150
A diploma/certificate is the typical education background
OccupationOccupational InterestMedian Hourly WageJob Openings to 2031
Retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 0621) Enterprising $29.80 20,000
Administrative officers (NOC 1221) Conventional $26.44 18,920
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 3413) Social $22.75 18,420
Social and community service workers (NOC 4212) Social, Conventional $21.75 12,160
Home building and renovation managers (NOC 0712) Enterprising $22.75 9,800
Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 1311) Conventional $24.04 9,740
Construction managers (NOC 0711) Enterprising $40.38 8,380
User support technicians (NOC 2282) Realistic, Conventional $31.25 8,090
Real estate agents and salespersons (NOC 6232) Enterprising $54,354* 6,790
Facility operation and maintenance managers (NOC 0714) Enterprising $33.08 5,450
Graphic designers and illustrators (NOC 5241) Artistic $28.13 5,420
Licensed practical nurses (NOC 3233) Social $29.48 4,500
Computer network technicians (NOC 2281) Realistic, Conventional $28.85 4,410
Property administrators (NOC 1224) Enterprising $24.00 4,350
Manufacturing managers (NOC 0911) Enterprising, Conventional $40.00 4,190
Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) (NOC 2242) Realistic $26.00 3,740
Police officers (except commissioned) (NOC 4311) Enterprising $42.00 3,380
Managers in transportation (NOC 0731) Enterprising $40.87 3,170
Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling co-ordination occupations (NOC 1215) Conventional, Enterprising $25.00 3,070
Managers in customer and personal services, n.e.c. (NOC 0651) Enterprising $26.91 2,480
Massage therapists (NOC 3236) Social $30.00 2,350
Retail and wholesale buyers (NOC 6222) Enterprising, Conventional $22.00 2,030
Medical administrative assistants (NOC 1243) Conventional $23.08 1,880
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 2271) Realistic $108,069* 1,680
Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants (NOC 3212) Realistic, Conventional $25.00 1,630
Firefighters (NOC 4312) Realistic $46.00 1,620
Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) (NOC 3219) Realistic, Conventional $19.00 1,590
Medical laboratory technologists (NOC 3211) Investigative, Realistic $35.00 1,480
Practitioners of natural healing (NOC 3232) Social $24,884* 1,140
Medical radiation technologists (NOC 3215) Realistic, Social $38.50 1,110
Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers (NOC 1211) Conventional, Enterprising $28.72 930
Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations (NOC 1251) Conventional $23.00 810
Architectural technologists and technicians (NOC 2251) Realistic $30.07 660
Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations (NOC 1214) Enterprising, Conventional $30.70 520
Air traffic controllers and related occupations (NOC 2272) Enterprising, Conventional $49.88 450
Railway and yard locomotive engineers (NOC 7361) Realistic $42.50 440
Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers (NOC 0432) Enterprising $57.87 370
Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (NOC 2244) Realistic $37.37 360
An Apprenticeship Certificate is the typical education background
OccupationOccupational InterestMedian Hourly WageJob Openings to 2031
Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers (NOC 7321) Realistic $25.00 6,620
Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (NOC 7302) Realistic $35.00 2,820
Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (NOC 7315) Realistic, Conventional $33.50 1,650
Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades (NOC 7301) Realistic $39.65 1,240
Railway carmen/women (NOC 7314) Realistic $34.52 210
High school is the typical education background
OccupationOccupational InterestMedian Hourly WageJob Openings to 2031
Retail sales supervisors (NOC 6211) Enterprising $21.00 13,240
Restaurant and food service managers (NOC 0631) Enterprising $25.00 9,320
Longshore workers (NOC 7451) Realistic $43.00 2,280
Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services (NOC 8255) Realistic $25.00 2,150
Letter carriers (NOC 1512) Conventional, Realistic $26.00 1,930
Casino occupations (NOC 6533) Conventional, Enterprising $20.00 1,920
Cleaning supervisors (NOC 6315) Realistic $26.00 700
  • WAGE RATE: For occupations with a “*”, the annual wage rate is provided, as the hourly wage rate is not available.