NOC 21231: Software engineers and designers

The employment outlook will be Good for software engineers and designers (NOC 21231) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Demand for this occupation is expected to remain strong with continuing growth anticipated in the information technology (IT) field. The Halifax area in particular, where much of the work is found, offers a wide variety of potential employers across a varied, technology-based economy. There may also be overlap between the duties of software engineers/designers and software developers and programmers (NOC 21232) within the area, and highly-skilled software engineers may possess the skills to fill positions in those larger, closely related fields as well. Remote hiring is common in the IT field, so jobseekers may benefit from including remote opportunities in their job search.

Growing usage of artificial intelligence has softened the demand for workers in entry-level positions in general. Jobseekers with a few years of experience will have a significant edge over recent university graduates.

Here are some key facts about software engineers and designers in Nova Scotia:

Approximately 2,000 people work in this occupation.

Software engineers and designers mainly work in the following sectors:

Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 69%

Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 8%

82% of software engineers and designers work all year, while 18% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

7% of software engineers and designers are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 84% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 16% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 7% compared to 27% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 53% compared to 20% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 24% compared to 10% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for software engineers and designers (NOC 21231) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

The prospect for employment in this occupation is expected to be favorable due to the rapid growth in digital infrastructure, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. These professionals design, evaluate, and maintain software systems for industries ranging from finance and healthcare to gaming and telecommunications. There is some overlap with related roles such as developers and programmers, and highly skilled engineers often transition between these positions. Individuals pursuing this career should focus on mastering programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++), understanding software architecture, and building collaborative and problem-solving skills. Certifications in cloud platforms, cybersecurity, or agile development can further enhance employability in this fast-evolving field.

Here are some key facts about software engineers and designers in Prince Edward Island:

Approximately 100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.

Software engineers and designers mainly work in the following sectors:

Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 56%

Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 13%

Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 8%

Management and administrative services (NAICS 55, 56): 8%

Other manufacturing (NAICS 313-316, 323-324, 326-327, 331, 334-335, 337, 339): 6%

75% of software engineers and designers work all year, while 25% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 49 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.

10% of software engineers and designers are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 80% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 20% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: 18% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 18% compared to 25% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 36% compared to 17% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 14% compared to 8% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for software engineers and designers (NOC 21231) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Software engineers and designers are employed in consulting and research and development work, as well as within information technology units throughout the private and public sectors. A steadily increasing reliance on computer-based technologies should support demand for software engineers and designers, going forward.

Ideal candidates will be comfortable working with a variety of operating systems, and computer technologies. Experience and up-to-date skills in programming languages such as Python, Structured Query Language (SQL), and Java will have the best employment prospects. Some employers may require experience with cloud-based platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Azure.

Developments in automation and artificial intelligence are likely to shift the tasks performed by software engineers and designers, particularly the automation of routine, junior-level tasks such as code writing.

These professionals are mainly concentrated in urban areas. The Fredericton region, in particular, has established itself as a hub for international and local investment in computer technologies.

Here are some key facts about software engineers and designers in New Brunswick:

Approximately 850 people work in this occupation.

Software engineers and designers mainly work in the following sectors:

Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 64%

Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 6%

Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 5%

81% of software engineers and designers work all year, while 19% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

7% of software engineers and designers are self-employed compared to an average of 10% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 84% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 16% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 12% compared to 30% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 18% compared to 23% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 48% compared to 16% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 19% compared to 7% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for software engineers and designers (NOC 21231) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Here are some key facts about software engineers and designers in Saskatchewan:

Approximately 750 people work in this occupation.

Software engineers and designers mainly work in the following sectors:

Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 54%

Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 13%

81% of software engineers and designers work all year, while 19% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

9% of software engineers and designers are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 87% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 13% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: 10% compared to 33% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 13% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 50% compared to 18% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 25% compared to 7% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for software engineers and designers (NOC 21231) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Demand for this occupation is driven by rapid technological advancement, the expansion of digital services, and the increasing complexity of software and systems.

Key trends for this occupation are in artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual and augmented reality, blockchain, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies.

Most employment opportunities will be in Calgary or Edmonton.

Here are some key facts about software engineers and designers in Alberta:

Approximately 7,950 people work in this occupation.

Software engineers and designers mainly work in the following sectors:

Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 62%

Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 6%

Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 5%

81% of software engineers and designers work all year, while 19% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

11% of software engineers and designers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 84% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 16% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 8% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 12% compared to 19% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 54% compared to 21% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 24% compared to 9% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Moderate for software engineers and designers (NOC 21231) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

A growing tech sector, advancements in robotics and new innovation hubs, could create job opportunities.

Employment in this sector has fluctuated throughout 2025, as a tough investment climate and high interest on loans led some companies to reduce their workforce.

Employment opportunities are centered in the Lower Mainland-Southwest region, as many companies have headquarters offices in Metro Vancouver; Victoria and the Okanagan are also emerging as tech hubs.

Occupations that create automation systems include engineering, technology, and data science fields.

These roles are central to designing, building, and maintaining automated processes in industries like manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and IT.

Some analytical duties of this occupation are likely to change with adoption of digital innovations, which may enable workers to do their jobs more efficiently.

Examples include cloud computing to improve data management and analysis (for example forecasting, optimizing, natural language processing), and blockchain for transparent and secure digital transactions.

Some technology companies, particularly software engineering teams, are transforming to adapt to AI as a product feature and to replace staff as a central operational strategy.

Here are some key facts about software engineers and designers in British Columbia:

Approximately 27,200 people work in this occupation.

Software engineers and designers mainly work in the following sectors:

Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 54%

Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 13%

Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 8%

Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 7%

79% of software engineers and designers work all year, while 21% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

7% of software engineers and designers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 83% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 17% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 7% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 9% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 52% compared to 22% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 31% compared to 12% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Limited for software engineers and designers (NOC 21231) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Here are some key facts about software engineers and designers in Quebec:

Approximately 12,600 people work in this occupation.

Software engineers and designers mainly work in the following sectors:

Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 50%

Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 9%

Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing (NAICS 52, 53): 8%

81% of software engineers and designers work all year, while 19% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

7% of software engineers and designers are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 86% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 14% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 17% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 49% compared to 17% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 28% compared to 11% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Limited for software engineers and designers (NOC 21231) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Demand for this occupation is driven by rapid technological advancement, the expansion of digital services, and the increasing complexity of software and systems.

Key trends for this occupation are in artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual and augmented reality, blockchain, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies.

While there are a growing number of tech startups and companies in the province, venture capital investment in the sector has decreased.

Jobs are concentrated in the Winnipeg region.

Here are some key facts about software engineers and designers in Manitoba:

Approximately 1,000 people work in this occupation.

Software engineers and designers mainly work in the following sectors:

Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 39%

Insurance Carriers and related activities (NAICS 524, 526): 16%

Computer, electronic and electrical product manufacturing (NAICS 334-335): 11%

Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 6%

85% of software engineers and designers work all year, while 15% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of software engineers and designers are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 79% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 21% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 7% compared to 31% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 18% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 48% compared to 20% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 25% compared to 8% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Very limited for software engineers and designers (NOC 21231) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

Various industries, but the leading share employed in computer systems design and related services

Information and cultural industries, particularly software publishers

Finance and insurance companies, mainly banks

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

The extensive use of advanced digital tools across all industries will continue to create job opportunities

However, the pace of job growth may be affected by recent restructuring in the technology sector

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

Knowledge of programming languages such as Java, Python, and Structured Query Language (SQL) are common in job postings

Experience with project management approaches such as Agile is also often required

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

In general, Bridging Programs are available to assist internationally trained professionals in various fields enter the labour market more quickly in the province.

Here are some key facts about software engineers and designers in Ontario:

Approximately 72,950 people work in this occupation.

Software engineers and designers mainly work in the following sectors:

Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 56%

Monetary Authorities - central bank and securities, commodity contracts and other intermediation and related activities (NAICS 521, 522, 523): 8%

Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 7%

79% of software engineers and designers work all year, while 21% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

9% of software engineers and designers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 81% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 19% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 7% compared to 25% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 9% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 52% compared to 24% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 32% compared to 13% for all occupations

An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.

An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.

An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.