Canada’s undiscovered treasure in the Atlantic is Nova Scotia. It is more than simply a place to visit; it’s a way of life with its natural coastlines, thriving communities, and rich cultural heritage!
Nova Scotia, an Atlantic province, is a popular destination for foreigners wishing to settle in Canada. Several high-paying jobs are concentrated in the capital city of Halifax, where 85 per cent of jobs are found.
Over six per cent of the Province’s population comprises immigrants, and 71 per cent make Nova Scotia their permanent home.
Through the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), the Province welcomes applicants with in-demand skills to settle as Permanent Residents (PR) to satisfy its expanding labor needs.
We will discuss the several high-paying jobs in Nova Scotia, their average annual salaries, and some of the top employers in this Province so you can arrive prepared to start your career in Canada.
1. Registered Nurses
Registered nurses provide direct nursing care to patients, deliver health education programs, and consult on issues relevant to nursing practice.
The shortage of registered nurses is being felt across Canada. According to Job Bank, new job openings (arising from expansion and replacement demand) are expected to total over 155,000.
Meanwhile, 143,700 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration, and mobility) are expected to be available to fill these positions in Nova Scotia.
2. Transport Truck Drivers
Truckers drive straight trucks or tractor-trailers to transport freight over urban, interurban, provincial, and international routes. They usually work for transportation, manufacturing, distribution and moving companies, and trucking employment service agencies, but some are self-employed.
Whether you have the credentials to operate large commercial vehicles or the detail-oriented nature required for local deliveries, chances are you can find an open position to match. They are one of the high-paying jobs available in Nova Scotia.
3. Retail Sales Managers
The need for more retail sales managers is projected to grow in Canada over the next few years. For retail and wholesale trade managers, over the period 2022-2031, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to grow rapidly.
In early June, there were 1,357 job listings for sales managers in Nova Scotia. Based on a standard workweek, these jobs have a median annual earnings of $62,380.
4. Equipment Mechanics
The shortage of equipment mechanics across Canada is forecast to grow by an additional 2,200 positions over the next seven years.
New job openings for heavy-duty equipment mechanics are expected to total 25,000, while 22,800 new job seekers are expected to be available to fill them.
These people repair, troubleshoot, adjust, overhaul and maintain heavy-duty mobile equipment used in construction, transportation, forestry, mining, oil and gas, material handling, landscaping, land clearing and farming.
In Nova Scotia, heavy equipment mechanics earn an average annual salary of $58,500.
5. Heavy Equipment Operators
Workers who operate heavy equipment used in constructing and maintaining roads, bridges, airports, gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures, surface mining and quarrying activities, and material handling work are highly in demand in Nova Scotia!
This is one of the highest-paying jobs in Nova Scotia. Based on a standard work week, heavy equipment operators (except crane operators) earn an average annual salary of $44,869. Over 2022-2031, new job openings for heavy equipment operators are expected to total 31,200.
Construction companies, contractors, public works departments, pipelines, logging, and cargo-handling companies typically employ heavy equipment operators.
6. Software Developers
Software developers write, modify, integrate and test computer code for software applications. They also design data processing applications and communications software at the operating system level.
This is one of the high-paying jobs in Nova Scotia because businesses of all types and sizes need developers to create app solutions, develop or maintain in-house software or help implement cloud or other technologies.
One of the lessons learned during COVID-19 lockdowns in recent years was that technology could make or break a business. Companies that seamlessly transitioned into remote work environments often fared better.
In addition, there is a growing need to rely on data and automation to remain competitive, so it’s no wonder many businesses are searching for skilled developers.
In Nova Scotia, software developers earn a median annual wage of $74,997 based on a standard 37.5-hour work week.
7. Physicians
General practitioners and family physicians diagnose and treat diseases, physiological disorders and injuries. In Nova Scotia, they make an average annual salary of $199,325.
The need for these medical practitioners is growing across the country. For general practitioners and family physicians, over the period 2022-2031, new job openings are expected to total 49,000.
Specialists, a category that includes surgeons, diagnose and treat diseases and physiological or psychiatric disorders and act as consultants to other physicians.
According to the Indeed website, this occupation is in high demand in Nova Scotia in early June.
8. Accountants
Accountants plan, organize and administer the accounting systems that keep track of that money for businesses, individuals and governments.
For financial auditors and accountants, over the period 2022-2031, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 89,000.
Meanwhile, 79,800 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill these positions.
In early June, Indeed posted more than 90 job listings for accountants in Nova Scotia. Based on Job Bank data for a standard 37.5-hour work week, the average annual salary is $70,317.
9. Construction Trades Helper
As Nova Scotia’s economy expands, there is a huge pent-up demand for workers in the construction trades.
Trades helpers and laborers, over 2022-2031, new job openings (arising from expansion and replacement demand) are expected to total 19,600.
However, more than 17,000 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill these positions.
These people work at construction sites, in quarries and surface mines, usually for construction companies, trade and labor contractors, and surface mine and quarry operators.
In early June, Indeed.ca had 1,808 job listings for those wanting to work as helpers in the construction trades in Nova Scotia, and Job Bank indicated that they earn an average annual salary of $39,050 based on a standard work week.
10. Cooks and Food and Beverage Servers
Restaurateurs in Nova Scotia are hurting badly for cooks and servers as the hospitality sector faces a labor shortage.
Indeed listed 423 jobs for cooks and 341 for servers in Nova Scotia in early June as the summer tourism season began.
The median annual income for a cook or server in Nova Scotia’s hospitality sector, based on a 37.5-hour work week, is $29,640 – but that doesn’t include tips.
Who are the Top Employers in Nova Scotia?
Nova Scotia is a Canadian province with a diverse economy that includes healthcare, education, finance, and technology industries. Some of the top employers in this province include:
- Government of Nova Scotia: The government of Nova Scotia is the province’s largest employer, with jobs available in healthcare, education, public services, and administrative roles.
- Nova Scotia Health Authority: Nova Scotia Health Authority is responsible for delivering healthcare services across the province and provides jobs in healthcare, including nursing, medicine, and administration.
- Dalhousie University: The university provides jobs in education and research across different disciplines, including science, arts, business, and engineering.
- Bell Aliant: Bell Aliant is a telecommunications company that provides internet, phone, and TV services across Atlantic Canada. It is a major employer in Nova Scotia, and jobs are available in customer service, sales, and technical support.
- Nova Scotia Power: Nova Scotia Power is the province’s primary electricity provider, providing electricity generation, transmission, and distribution jobs.
- IBM Canada: IBM Canada is a technology company that provides consulting, software, and hardware services and is a major employer in Nova Scotia. Jobs are available in software development, engineering, and project management.
- RBC Royal Bank: RBC is one of Canada’s largest banks, providing banking and financial services across Nova Scotia. It offers jobs in customer service, sales, and finance.
It is important to note that the job market in Nova Scotia is constantly evolving, and the economy is expanding into new industries such as ocean technology and renewable energy.
As such, the province actively seeks to attract new businesses and entrepreneurs to the area. Now is the best time to consider immigrating to Nova Scotia and land one of the high-paying jobs available!
Which Regions Have the Most Job Opportunities in Nova Scotia?
- Halifax: The capital city of Halifax is home to nearly half of the province’s population. In addition to the primary industries of agriculture, mining, and natural gas extraction, the city also has IT and digital services, financial services, food and beverage processing, aerospace and automotive manufacturing.
- Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM): The second largest municipality in the province, located on Cape Breton Island. CBRM offers employment opportunities in agri-food, aquaculture, tourism, energy, transportation, and arts and culture sectors.