Quebec matches pre-pandemic case rates
Quebec's job market shows signs of recovery, as the number of vacant positions in 2024 dropped significantly compared to the pandemic's peak in 2022. The decrease mirrors pre-pandemic levels from 2019, with 133,000 vacancies, just slightly higher than the 130,800 in 2019, according to ISQ data.
The Quebec Institute of Statistics' 2024 labor market report indicates a decline in vacant positions for the second consecutive year. The figure represents a 27% decrease from 2023 to 2024, a drop of 48,700 positions.
It's essential to note that not all vacant positions are for low-wage or unskilled jobs. In fact, the average hourly wage for vacant positions in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $27.90, above the current minimum wage of $16.10 per hour.
Four major industries had more than 10,000 vacant positions in 2024: retail trade, manufacturing, accommodation and food services, and health care and social assistance. This last sector includes specialized roles, such as nurses and beneficiary assistants, which are well-paying and not entry-level positions.
While specific 2024 data for Quebec isn't available yet, national trends suggest that healthcare and social assistance, accommodation and food services, and retail trade will likely dominate the vacancies. Healthcare vacancies represent 19.9% of all Canadian vacancies, while accommodation and food services and retail trade each account for around 10-11%. These sectors are historically overrepresented in Quebec's job market.
The wage data for specific roles isn't provided in the sources, but supervisory roles in related manufacturing show $27-$41/hour ranges for technical positions, while hospitality and retail sectors typically offer entry-level wages near the minimum wage. Skilled trades in industrial roles can also range from $26-$41/hour for roles such as electricians, mechanics, and operators.
For more precise 2024 Quebec data, consult the Institut de la statistique du Québec or Statistics Canada's provincial breakdowns. The provided sources only offer snapshots of the current 2025 situation.
- The 2024 labor market report by the Quebec Institute of Statistics reveals a decline in vacant positions, with a 27% decrease from 2023.
- The average hourly wage for vacant positions in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $27.90, significantly higher than the current minimum wage in Quebec.
- Four major industries in Quebec had more than 10,000 vacant positions in 2024: retail trade, manufacturing, accommodation and food services, and health care and social assistance.
- National trends suggest that healthcare and social assistance, accommodation and food services, and retail trade are likely to dominate the vacancies in Quebec's job market in 2024, with respective percentages of 19.9%, around 10-11%, and unknown for Quebec specifically but around 10-11% in Canada.
