Healthcare Jobs: Salaries, Roles and Hire

Statistics projects the healthcare sector needs over 117,600 additional workers by 2028 — and the shortage is already acute. Randstad confirms Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses are among the top 15 most in-demand jobs in the country for 2026, with RNs earning an average of $92,566 per year.

For job seekers with the right qualifications, healthcare offers some of the most stable, well-paid, and geographically flexible careers available today.

This guide covers the most in-demand healthcare roles, realistic salaries by position, how to get licensed if you trained abroad, and where to find verified job postings right now.

Top Healthcare Roles & Salaries

These are the roles with the highest demand and strongest hiring signals across Canadian provinces in 2026.

Registered Nurses (RN) remain the most sought-after healthcare professionals. Almost every province is actively recruiting to address staffing shortages, particularly in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. RNs administer medication, coordinate patient care teams, and educate patients and families about treatment plans. To practice, candidates must complete an accredited nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Average salary: $75,000–$90,000/year, with critical care and geriatrics specialists commanding more.

Nurse Practitioners (NP) are filling physician gaps in rural and underserved communities, with the ability to diagnose, prescribe, and manage patient care independently. Demand is especially high in family health teams and community clinics. Average salary: $95,000–$110,000/year. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) provide direct patient care under physician supervision, managing medications, supporting daily living activities, and maintaining patient records. Average salary: $46,000–$75,000/year depending on province.

Personal Support Workers (PSW) are urgently needed in Ontario and British Columbia to assist seniors and people with disabilities with daily activities. The role requires less formal education than nursing but is equally critical to the system. Average salary: $40,000–$50,000/year. Pharmacy Assistants support pharmacists with dispensing, patient records, and administrative tasks — a growing role as pharmacy services expand across the country. Average salary: around $46,449/year with strong career growth potential into pharmacy technician or pharmacy management roles.

Find verified healthcare job postings here:

• Caring Support — Healthcare-focused job matching platform with tailored filters
• Job Bank Canada — Government of Canada’s official job board with healthcare listings by province
• Indeed – Healthcare — Largest volume of daily healthcare postings with same-day alerts

How to Get Hired in Canadian Healthcare

Whether you are a Canadian graduate or an internationally trained professional, these steps will move your application forward.

For internationally trained healthcare workers, credential recognition is the first and most critical step. Each province has its own regulatory body — the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) governs RN registration in Ontario, while the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) handles BC. The process typically involves submitting transcripts, proof of licensure in your home country, language proficiency scores (IELTS or OET), and a competency assessment. Processing times range from three to twelve months, so starting before you arrive is essential.

For domestic graduates, the key differentiators are specialization and shift availability. Nurses with certifications in critical care, emergency medicine, or oncology command higher salaries and shorter hiring timelines. Showing flexibility for nights and weekends significantly increases your chances in facilities dealing with chronic understaffing. Many employers offer sign-on bonuses and relocation allowances to attract candidates to underserved regions — particularly in rural Ontario, Northern Alberta, and Atlantic.

Healthcare Salaries by Role: What Is Realistic in 2026?