NOC 31100: Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine

The employment outlook will be Very good for specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

Employment prospects in this occupation are good due to many job vacancies and an insufficient supply of physicians qualified to fill them. Efforts are being made worldwide to recruit for this occupation. Most are employed in the province’s largest urban areas, due to the higher concentrations of population.

Here are some key facts about specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Approximately 750 people work in this occupation.

Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 80%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 20%

67% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine work all year, while 33% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.

44% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine are self-employed compared to an average of 8% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 59% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 41% 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: n/a

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a

bachelor's degree: n/a

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 7% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Very good for specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine continue to be in short supply across the province, with demand driven by the province’s aging population, rising chronic disease rates, and government priorities to expand access to specialized care. National efforts to improve physician retention, streamline international accreditation, and enhance labour mobility are helping, but the limited number of residency and postgraduate training positions in Canada remains a bottleneck. Health P.E.I. is actively recruiting physicians, including specialists, to address shortages in hospitals and community care, with incentives offered to attract talent. For new graduates or internationally trained physicians, opportunities are strong, though entry requires extensive education, licensing, and specialization.

Here are some key facts about specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine in Prince Edward Island:

Approximately 100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.

Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 74%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 26%

57% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine work all year, while 42% 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 44 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.

60% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 75% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 25% 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: n/a

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a

bachelor's degree: n/a

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 8% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Very good for specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

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

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

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

Recent graduates from fields of study related to this occupation have found it easy to find work.

The increasing health needs of an aging population favour employment prospects for this occupation. The Nova Scotia Health Authority has been actively recruiting specialist physicians. Recruitment is an extensive process, often taking months, that involves health providers and community members. Some positions remain difficult to fill, as the health authority must compete with other provinces to attact highly-specialized physicians, especially those based in more-rural parts of Nova Scotia.

Here are some key facts about specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine in Nova Scotia:

Approximately 1,000 people work in this occupation.

Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 70%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 30%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 90% compared to 82% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 10% compared to 18% for all occupations

59% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine work all year, while 41% 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.

61% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 53% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 47% 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: n/a

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a

bachelor's degree: n/a

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 10% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Very good for specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

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

The growing and ageing population is expected to increase the demand for specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine in the upcoming years.

Given the high entrance requirements and limited post-graduate training positions in medical schools across Canada, these professionals are in limited supply. As a result, there continues to be a shortage.

Licensing with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick is required.

Some vacancies are more difficult to fill and both provincial health networks tend to be actively recruiting various specialist physicians at any point in time, often directly out of school.

More specialists are employed in the province’s largest urban areas, due to the high concentrations of population. However, opportunities in rural areas are common, as these positions are more difficult to fill.

Here are some key facts about specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine in New Brunswick:

Approximately 650 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.

Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 76%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 24%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 95% compared to 84% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 5% compared to 16% for all occupations

67% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine work all year, while 33% 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.

43% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine are self-employed compared to an average of 10% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 63% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 37% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: n/a

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a

bachelor's degree: n/a

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 7% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Very good for specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

A moderate number of 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 specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine in Saskatchewan:

Approximately 800 people work in this occupation.

Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 71%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 28%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 94% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 6% compared to 19% for all occupations

57% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine work all year, while 42% 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.

56% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 60% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 40% 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: n/a

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a

bachelor's degree: n/a

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 7% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Good for specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

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

A moderate number of 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 specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine in Quebec:

Approximately 7,050 people work in this occupation.

Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 80%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 19%

50% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine work all year, while 50% 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 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

70% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 49% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 51% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: n/a

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a

bachelor's degree: n/a

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 11% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Good for specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

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

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

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

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

Hospitals

Offices of physicians

Almost 60% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine are self-employed

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

Increased need for health-related services to support the growing and aging population in Ontario

Greater demand on the health care system because of the backlog of medical procedures and patient care needs

Major investments in health care facilities

Initiatives to improve home and community-based patient care services

Demand may be greater in rural and northern communities of Ontario

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is required

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

Specialists in surgery are excluded from this group

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 specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine in Ontario:

Approximately 14,650 people work in this occupation.

Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 60%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 39%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 93% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 7% compared to 19% for all occupations

65% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine work all year, while 35% 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.

59% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 56% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 43% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: n/a

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a

bachelor's degree: n/a

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 13% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Good for specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

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

The demand for this occupation is driven by the province's growing and aging population, as well as the increasing complexity of medical conditions.

There has been a significant increase provincial healthcare spending, along with recruitment and retention plans, to address demand and labour shortages.

Jobs are concentrated in the Winnipeg region.

Here are some key facts about specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine in Manitoba:

Approximately 750 people work in this occupation.

Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 72%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 27%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 93% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 7% compared to 19% for all occupations

61% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine work all year, while 39% 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.

59% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 66% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 34% 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: n/a

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a

bachelor's degree: n/a

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 8% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Good for specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

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

Alberta’s population and its proportion of residents aged 65+ are predicted to increase over the next decade, contributing to demand for this occupation.

In 2025, Alberta increased total health spending to $28 billion, marking a 5.4% rise from the previous year.

Ongoing healthcare needs and retirements continue to support steady demand across the sector.

Here are some key facts about specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine in Alberta:

Approximately 3,100 people work in this occupation.

Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 56%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 42%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 93% compared to 80% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 7% compared to 20% for all occupations

56% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine work all year, while 43% 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 46 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

62% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 60% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 40% 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: n/a

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a

bachelor's degree: n/a

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 9% for all occupations

The employment outlook will be Good for specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

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

A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.

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

Labour shortages continue to affect the delivery of health care services in various parts of the province, especially in northern and rural areas.

Here are some key facts about specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine in British Columbia:

Approximately 6,350 people work in this occupation.

Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine mainly work in the following sectors:

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 67%

Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 33%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 92% compared to 78% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 8% compared to 22% for all occupations

50% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine work all year, while 50% 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 46 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

65% of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 57% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 42% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: n/a

high school diploma or equivalent: n/a

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a

bachelor's degree: n/a

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 12% 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.