Find Work in Toronto: Everything You Need to Know

Maybe you just finished school. Maybe you want to change careers. Perhaps you’re moving to Canada from another country. Whatever your situation, this guide helps you understand Toronto’s job world. You’ll learn which companies are hiring, how much money you can make, how to write the right kind of resume, where to look for jobs, and how much it costs to live here.

Where the Jobs Are: Best Fields to Target

Not every industry in Toronto is struggling. Some fields need workers badly while others are slowing down. Smart job hunters focus on the busy areas.

Five Fields with Lots of Jobs:

1. Banks and Money Companies: Toronto is Canada’s money center. Banks and insurance companies hired over 55,000 new people this past year. Most big financial offices sit downtown.
2. Computer and Tech Jobs: Toronto is the third biggest tech city in North America. From 2017 to 2022, tech companies added almost 64,000 jobs. They want people who can code, protect systems from hackers, and work with cloud technology.
3. Doctors and Nurses: About 30,000 healthcare workers contribute more than $2 billion to the city’s economy. Older people need more care, so hospitals always need nurses, doctors, and helpers.
4. Restaurants and Hotels: This area grew fastest—up 7.7% to 197,500 workers. After COVID, tourism came back strong.
5. Teachers and Schools: More than 100,000 people work in education, earning $7.2 billion total each year. Elementary schools, high schools, colleges, and universities all hire regularly.

What People Actually Earn:

Type of Work	Yearly Pay (CAD)
Computer Jobs	$90,000 – $150,000
Bank Jobs	$85,000 – $120,000
Engineering	$128,200
Nursing	$75,000 – $95,000
Managing Projects	$82,223
Teaching	$65,000 – $85,000
Hotels & Restaurants	$40,000 – $65,000
Stores & Customer Help	$35,000 – $50,000

Money Facts: Most Toronto workers make about $96,897 per year on average, but typical pay is closer to $63,792. This beats Canada’s average of $62,660. People earn $38.31 per hour usually, which is 6-7% more than workers in other Canadian cities.

Jobs Companies Need Most and Where to Look

Eight Jobs Companies Can’t Fill:

1. Hospital Nurses – $75,000-$95,000: Hospitals posted 6,152 nurse openings—more than any other job type
2. Computer Programmers – $90,000-$130,000: Companies need people who understand Python, Java, and cloud systems
3. Money Experts – $70,000-$95,000: Banks want analysts to study markets and give advice
4. Office Helpers – $47,000-$59,000: Every company needs organized people to keep things running
5. Project Bosses – $80,000-$100,000: Building projects and tech work need experienced leaders
6. Sales People – $50,000-$85,000 plus extra money: Companies need people to sell products and bring in money
7. Store Clerks – $35,000-$45,000: Stores posted 6,514 openings for workers to help customers
8. Elder Care Workers – $40,000-$55,000: Older people need daily help, and this need keeps growing

Ten Best Websites for Job Hunting:

1. Indeed Canada (https://ca.indeed.com) – Biggest job website in Canada
2. Job Bank (https://www.jobbank.gc.ca) – Government website with pay information
3. LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/jobs) – Make connections while searching
4. Workopolis (https://www.workopolis.com) – Popular Canadian job finder
5. TorontoJobs.ca (https://www.torontojobs.ca) – Only Toronto jobs listed
6. Eluta.ca (https://www.eluta.ca) – Shows jobs at Canada’s biggest companies
7. Randstad Canada (https://www.randstad.ca) – Hiring company that helps connect workers
8. Monster Canada (https://www.monster.ca) – Been around forever, still useful
9. Glassdoor (https://www.glassdoor.ca) – See jobs plus what people say about companies
10. Google for Jobs (https://jobs.google.com) – Searches many job sites at once

Special Job Websites: Check ITjobs.ca (computer work), 86network.ca (restaurant jobs), CharityVillage (helping organizations), Showbizjobs.com (entertainment work), Startup.jobs (new young companies)

Making a Resume Canadian Bosses Will Read

Canadian resumes look different from resumes in other countries. If you do this wrong, a computer might throw out your application before any person sees it.

What’s Different About Canadian Resumes:

Keep your resume short—only 1 or 2 pages. Never put your picture on it. Don’t write your age, birthday, if you’re married, what religion you follow, or your Social Insurance Number. Only include your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn page link. Canadian bosses only care about your work skills and experience.

Six Things Your Resume Must Have:

1. Your Contact Info (name, phone, email, LinkedIn, what city you live in)
2. Short Summary (3-4 sentences about your work background)
3. Jobs You’ve Had (newest first, showing what you achieved)
4. School and Training (degrees and certificates)
5. What You Can Do (computer programs, languages, special abilities)
6. Extra Stuff (volunteer work, awards—only if you have room)

Mistakes That Hurt Your Chances:

• Using fancy designs with pictures and colors (keep it plain and simple)
• Sharing personal details besides contact information
• Writing long paragraphs (use short bullet points)
• Just listing what your job was (show results with real numbers)
• Sending the exact same resume everywhere (change it for each job)
• Putting references on your resume (save these for when asked)

Important Words Computers Scan For:

Many companies use computer programs to read resumes first before people look at them. Read each job posting carefully and use words like: “managed projects,” “worked with different teams,” “looked at data,” “controlled budgets,” “led people,” “made things better,” “worked across departments,” plus any special words for your type of work.

How to Go from Applying to Getting Hired

Better Way to Apply:

Don’t send your resume to 100 jobs hoping something sticks. Instead, pick 10-15 jobs where you really qualify for most of what they want. Write different resumes and letters for each one. Apply in the first 2-3 days after jobs get posted—fewer people are competing then. Keep track of everything in a chart: company name, job title, when you applied, who to contact, when to check back.

Making Connections Matters More Than You Think:

Here’s something important: 70-80% of Toronto jobs get filled because someone knew someone. Companies hire their friends’ recommendations before posting jobs online. Making connections isn’t extra—it’s required.

Fix up your LinkedIn page. Add a good photo, write a strong headline, list all your experience, and actually comment on posts from Toronto workers. Join groups, say smart things, and connect with people in your field.

Go to real meetups every month. Look for Toronto Board of Trade events, groups for your profession, and Meetup gatherings. Bring business cards and practice explaining what you do in 30 seconds.

Ask people for advice. Message workers at companies you like and ask for 15-minute phone calls to learn about their jobs. Most people like helping and might remember you when jobs open up.

Join work groups. Organizations like CPA Canada (for accountants) or PMI Toronto (for project managers) have private job boards, people who help you, and special events.

Doing Well in Interviews:

Toronto companies usually interview 2-4 times—first by phone, then video, then meeting face-to-face, sometimes with a group. Prepare stories that show what you accomplished using this pattern: Situation, Task, Action, Result.

Learn everything about the company. Read their news, understand what they sell, know their competition, and learn about their culture. Think of good questions that show you did research.

Dress right. Banks and business offices need suits and formal clothes. Computer and creative companies accept business casual style. Always show up 10-15 minutes before your appointment.

Checking In After Interviews:

Send thank-you emails within 24 hours, mentioning things you talked about. Keep it short—3-4 small paragraphs. If they don’t get back to you when they said they would, send a nice reminder after one week.

Got a job offer? Tell them you’re excited but need 2-3 days to think about the details. This looks professional and gives you time to ask for more money if you need to.

Getting Legal Permission to Work in Canada

Express Entry—Main Immigration Path:

Express Entry is how most skilled workers move to Canada permanently. It includes three programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class. You make a profile online that gets points for your age, education, experience, and language skills using something called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Once accepted, applications take six months. Higher points mean faster invitations. Get more points by studying more, scoring better on language tests, working in Canada first, or getting provincial help.

Work Permits Through Employers:

Many foreign workers get permits tied to specific Canadian employers. The employer usually needs something called a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) that proves no Canadians can do the job. LMIA normally takes 8-10 weeks, but the fast Global Talent Stream can do it in 10-15 business days for needed tech and science jobs.

Some workers skip LMIA through special programs—company transfers, NAFTA/CUSMA professionals, and special agreements.

How Long Paperwork Takes:

Work permits filed while in Canada take 120 days. Applications from outside Canada take 60 days, but this changes depending on which country you’re from. Students can work 20 hours each week during school and full-time during holidays. After graduating, you can work up to three years on a special permit depending on how long your school program was.

Where to Begin:

Check if you qualify at canada.ca/immigration first. Take language tests right away (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF)—results take several weeks. Get your foreign education checked by World Education Services (WES) to see what it equals in Canada. Make your Express Entry profile or get a job offer. For complicated situations, pay a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) to help.

Living Costs: Can You Really Afford Toronto?

Toronto costs a lot of money—no way around it. Plan carefully or you’ll struggle even with decent pay.

What You’ll Pay Each Month:

What You Need	One Person	Family with Kids
Apartment Rent	$2,000-$2,800	$3,200-$4,500
Power & Heating	$150-$230	$250-$350
Internet & Phone	$90-$130	$120-$170
Groceries	$350-$450	$1,000-$1,400
Bus & Subway Pass	$156	$312
Health Insurance	$60-$100	$150-$250
Entertainment & Eating Out	$200-$400	$400-$600
Everything Else	$150-$300	$300-$500
TOTAL EACH MONTH	$3,156-$4,540	$5,732-$8,282

Cheaper Areas to Consider Living:

Scarborough costs $1,800-$2,200 for one-bedroom apartments and has subway connections. North York charges $1,900-$2,400 with good shopping and services. Etobicoke runs $2,000-$2,500 and feels better for families. East York averages $1,900-$2,300 with nice neighborhoods. Mississauga and Brampton sit outside Toronto but cost less and connect downtown by GO Train.

Downtown areas (Financial District, Entertainment District) charge $2,500-$3,500 for one-bedroom places but you won’t spend money or time traveling to work.

How Much Money You Need:

Basic survival needs $54,000-$60,000 yearly ($4,500-$5,000 monthly) covering bills with almost nothing extra. Comfortable single living needs $75,000-$90,000 so you can save money, eat at restaurants sometimes, and go on vacation. Families need at least $120,000-$144,000 every year, especially because childcare costs $1,200-$1,800 per child each month.

Questions People Always Ask

How long before I find a job?

Entry-level jobs usually take 2-4 months. Middle-level positions need 3-6 months. Senior and special jobs often take 6-12 months. Things are harder now—job postings dropped from over 63,000 in mid-2024 to only 13,000-24,000 in early 2026. Foreign workers without Canadian experience should expect 6-12 months at least.

Do I absolutely need Canadian experience?

Not always, but it really helps. Employers want to know you understand how Canadian workplaces operate and what the rules are. Get around this by talking about skills from international work that still apply, going after global companies that understand foreign talent, taking temporary jobs to get local references, volunteering to show you’re committed, and getting Canadian certificates in your field. Computer companies and entry jobs are usually more flexible.

What’s the smallest salary I can survive on?

You need $48,000-$60,000 yearly minimum ($4,000-$5,000 monthly) just for basics. Single people can live okay on $60,000-$75,000 if they watch spending carefully. Real comfort—saving regularly, taking trips, enjoying life—needs $80,000-$100,000 or more. Families require at least $120,000 for decent living.

Can I work from home in Toronto?

Remote work exists but it’s shrinking. Computer and marketing companies give the most flexibility (60-70% allow working from home some days). Banks and government want people in the office 3-4 days weekly now. Entry-level jobs rarely allow remote work because companies want to train you in person. If you’re searching from another country, look for companies that clearly say “remote work” and be ready for video interviews across different time zones.

What’s the best month to apply?

January through March sees the most hiring because companies start using new budgets—lots of jobs but also lots of competition. April through June stays busy. July-August slows way down because of vacations. September through mid-November gets busy again. Late November-December almost stops because of holidays. Best times: January-February or September-October, but keep applying all year for the right opportunities.

Does networking really matter that much?

Yes, absolutely. Studies show 70-80% of Toronto jobs get filled through people knowing people before companies post them publicly. Keep your LinkedIn page active. Go to industry events every month. Join professional groups in your field. Ask for advice calls with people at companies you want to work for. Volunteer in your industry. Use your school’s graduate connections. Many people find jobs through “weak ties”—people they barely know, not close friends—so meet lots of people. Spend 20-30% of your job search time on networking.

What to Do Your First 30 Days

Getting hired in Toronto needs planning, not giving up, and understanding how Canadian workplaces work. The city has amazing opportunities, good pay, and many different industries. Yes, there’s tough competition, high costs, and that “Canadian experience” problem, but smart preparation helps you win.

Do These Things Week by Week:

Week 1 – Prepare Everything: Find 15-20 companies you want to work for. Rewrite your resume the Canadian way. Make a cover letter you can customize. Take any language tests required. Start getting your foreign education verified. Make your LinkedIn page better.

Week 2 – Start Looking: Set up automatic job alerts on 5-7 websites. Apply to 10 carefully picked jobs with customized materials. Join 3-4 work groups on LinkedIn. Research Toronto neighborhoods and figure out how much money you need.

Week 3 – Meet People: Attend 1-2 networking events or online meetings. Connect with 10 Toronto workers on LinkedIn. Ask for 2-3 coffee chats to learn about jobs. Keep applying to 10 jobs each week. Update your resume based on any feedback you get.

Week 4 – Keep Going: Follow up on applications from 2 or more weeks ago. Go to another networking event. Keep applying. Practice answering interview questions by explaining: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Look at what’s working and change what isn’t. Don’t stop trying.

This takes time—don’t expect instant results. Stay flexible, use every tool available, and remember that finding the right job is better than rushing into the wrong one. Toronto rewards people who keep trying smartly. Start today—your Toronto career is out there waiting.

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Sources

1. Toronto Workforce Innovation Group – Labour Market Reports (2026)
   https://workforceinnovation.ca/category/data-dashboards/labour-lowdown/
2. Statistics Canada – Job Bank Ontario Labour Market Reports
   https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis/job-market-reports/on
3. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
   https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html
4. VanHack Blog – Average Salary in Toronto 2026
   https://blog.vanhack.com/average-salary-toronto/
5. City of Toronto – Toronto Employment Survey 2024
   https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/research-reports/planning-development/toronto-employment-survey/