Calgary averages 46.5 applicants per job across 7,752 open positions from 1,790 employers.
Software Engineer leads with 72 applicants per job—2.8× higher than the least competitive roles
Calgary's most competitive positions are concentrated in technology roles. Our analysis of 7,752 LinkedIn job postings shows Software Engineer as the hardest role to land, with 72 applicants competing for each of just 88 openings. That's 2.8× more competitive than Nurse roles and 55% above Calgary's average of 46.5 applicants per job.
Hardest to land — polish your resume
531+ openings across healthcare and skilled trades roles with just 26-27 applicants per job
Better odds — still need a great resume
Healthcare and skilled trades roles dominate Calgary's least competitive job categories. Nurse positions have just 26 applicants per opening across 279 available jobs—2.8× easier to land than Software Engineer roles and 44% below Calgary's average competition of 46.5 applicants.
Nurse leads with 279 openings at 26 applicants per job | Software Engineer is hardest to land at 72 applicants | Nurse easiest at 26
Our analysis of 7,752 LinkedIn job postings reveals significant variation in competition across Calgary's 18 major job categories. Nurse offers the most opportunity with 279 open positions, but faces 26 applicants per role. Meanwhile, Software Engineer is the hardest role to land in Calgary with 72 applicants competing for just 88 openings.
Of all 18 job titles analyzed, 2 roles are highly competitive (70+ applicants) accounting for 151 jobs, while 9 roles have below-average competition (under 40 applicants) with 785 combined openings. The competition gap in Calgary is stark: Software Engineer averages 72 applicants while Nurse sees just 26—a 2.8× difference.
Alberta Health Services leads with 459 jobs (5.9% of market) | MNP hardest at 79 applicants | Alberta Health Services easiest at 26
Alberta Health Services dominates Calgary's job market with 459 open positions—5.9% of all jobs in the metro area—at 26 applicants per role. University of Calgary follows with 143 positions at 40 applicants each. The top 10 employers alone account for 1,370 jobs—18% of Calgary's market.
Competition varies dramatically by employer. MNP is the hardest place to get hired in Calgary with 79 applicants per job, while Alberta Health Services offers better odds at just 26 applicants. Of 17 major employers analyzed, 1 have high competition (70+ applicants) and 9 have below-average competition (under 40 applicants).
Browse 8 industries hiring across the Calgary metro area
Data compiled by ResumeTarget.com from 7,752 LinkedIn job postings in the Calgary metro area. Updated Dec 2, 2025.
Alberta Health Services, AgeCare, and 8 other employers with 848 open positions
The Healthcare sector in Calgary currently has 848 open positions across 10 employers in Calgary. With an average of 29 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Calgary's overall market average of 46.5.
Loblaw Companies Limited, Walmart Canada, and 8 other employers with 836 open positions
The Retail sector in Calgary currently has 836 open positions across 10 employers in Calgary. With an average of 38 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Calgary's overall market average of 46.5.
KPMG Canada, TD, and 8 other employers with 834 open positions
The Banking & Finance sector in Calgary currently has 834 open positions across 10 employers in Calgary. With an average of 50 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Calgary's overall market average of 46.5.
Clio, Infosys, and 8 other employers with 782 open positions
The Technology sector in Calgary currently has 782 open positions across 10 employers in Calgary. With an average of 53 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Calgary's overall market average of 46.5.
Modine Manufacturing Company, Finning, and 8 other employers with 561 open positions
The Manufacturing sector in Calgary currently has 561 open positions across 10 employers in Calgary. With an average of 48 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Calgary's overall market average of 46.5.
EY, Stantec, and 8 other employers with 519 open positions
The Consulting sector in Calgary currently has 519 open positions across 10 employers in Calgary. With an average of 46 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Calgary's overall market average of 46.5.
Enbridge, Enerflex Ltd., and 8 other employers with 481 open positions
The Energy sector in Calgary currently has 481 open positions across 10 employers in Calgary. With an average of 67 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Calgary's overall market average of 46.5.
Kiewit, Associated Engineering, and 8 other employers with 471 open positions
The Construction sector in Calgary currently has 471 open positions across 10 employers in Calgary. With an average of 56 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Calgary's overall market average of 46.5.
Management and Manufacturing leads with 1,319 jobs (17% of market) at 42 applicants | Health Care Provider easiest to break into at 27 applicants
Management and Manufacturing dominates Calgary's job market with 1,319 open positions—17% of all jobs—at 42 applicants per role. Other follows with 860 positions at 42 applicants each. The top 3 functions account for 2,948 jobs—38% of Calgary's entire job market.
Competition varies significantly by function. Administrative is the most competitive category in Calgary with 67 applicants per job, while Health Care Provider offers the best odds at just 27 applicants—a 40-applicant difference. Of 17 functions analyzed, 0 are highly competitive (70+ applicants) and 4 have below-average competition (under 40 applicants).
How does Calgary's job competition compare to Western Canada rivals?
Head-to-head job market comparison
Calgary has 10% less competition overall than Vancouver. Calgary wins on most role comparisons.
See full Vancouver job market data →Ranked by competition level (lower = easier)
Calgary ranks #3 of 5 for easiest job market in Western Canada.
Competition changes from other cities
Competition data based on 7,752 active job postings in Calgary.
Calgary averages 46.5 applicants per job across 7,752 open positions. Software Engineer is hardest at 72 applicants; Nurse is easiest at 26.
Software Engineer (72 applicants per job), Account Manager (71), and Warehouse Associate (68). These roles see 2.8× more competition than healthcare positions.
Nurse (26 applicants per job, 279 openings), Licensed Practical Nurse (26), and Mechanic (25).
Alberta Health Services leads with 459 jobs, followed by University of Calgary (143) and Loblaw Companies Limited (124). 1,790 companies are actively hiring.
7,752 open positions across 1,790 employers. Data from LinkedIn, updated Dec 2, 2025.
Healthcare (848 jobs), Retail (836), and Banking & Finance (834).
ResumeTarget.com compiled and analyzed 7,752 full-time job postings from LinkedIn across the Calgary-metro area to calculate competition levels by job title, industry, employer, and job function.
Competition is measured by the average number of applicants per job posting. Roles with 70+ applicants are classified as highly competitive, 40-69 as moderately competitive, and under 40 as less competitive.
With 46.5 applicants per job, you need a resume that immediately proves you're the top candidate. Our writers conduct 1-on-1 interviews to uncover your unique achievements and create ATS-optimized resumes that get noticed.
