Kitchener-Waterloo averages 53.7 applicants per job across 1,939 open positions from 477 employers.
Software Engineer leads with 69 applicants per job—2.8× higher than the least competitive roles
Kitchener-Waterloo's most competitive positions are concentrated in technology roles. Our analysis of 1,939 LinkedIn job postings shows Software Engineer as the hardest role to land, with 69 applicants competing for each of just 99 openings. That's 2.8× more competitive than Nurse roles and 28% above Kitchener-Waterloo's average of 53.7 applicants per job.
Hardest to land — polish your resume
Software Engineer leads with 99 openings at 69 applicants per job | Software Engineer is hardest to land at 69 applicants | Nurse easiest at 25
Our analysis of 1,939 LinkedIn job postings reveals significant variation in competition across Kitchener-Waterloo's 1 major job categories. Software Engineer offers the most opportunity with 99 open positions, but faces 69 applicants per role. Meanwhile, Software Engineer is the hardest role to land in Kitchener-Waterloo with 69 applicants competing for just 99 openings.
Of all 1 job titles analyzed, 0 roles are highly competitive (70+ applicants) accounting for 0 jobs, while 0 roles have below-average competition (under 40 applicants) with 0 combined openings. The competition gap in Kitchener-Waterloo is stark: Software Engineer averages 69 applicants while Nurse sees just 25—a 2.8× difference.
OpenText leads with 92 jobs (4.7% of market) | Google hardest at 75 applicants | KPMG Canada easiest at 29
OpenText dominates Kitchener-Waterloo's job market with 92 open positions—4.7% of all jobs in the metro area—at 60 applicants per role. KPMG Canada follows with 68 positions at 29 applicants each. The top 10 employers alone account for 282 jobs—15% of Kitchener-Waterloo's market.
Competition varies dramatically by employer. Google is the hardest place to get hired in Kitchener-Waterloo with 75 applicants per job, while KPMG Canada offers better odds at just 29 applicants. Of 4 major employers analyzed, 1 have high competition (70+ applicants) and 1 have below-average competition (under 40 applicants).
Browse 8 industries hiring across the Kitchener-Waterloo metro area
Data compiled by ResumeTarget.com from 1,939 LinkedIn job postings in the Kitchener-Waterloo metro area. Updated Dec 2, 2025.
OpenText, Google, and 8 other employers with 381 open positions
The Technology sector in Kitchener-Waterloo currently has 381 open positions across 10 employers in Waterloo, Cambridge, Kitchener. With an average of 66 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Kitchener-Waterloo's overall market average of 53.7.
ATS Corporation, Snackruptors Inc., and 8 other employers with 280 open positions
The Manufacturing sector in Kitchener-Waterloo currently has 280 open positions across 10 employers in Cambridge, Kitchener. With an average of 67 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Kitchener-Waterloo's overall market average of 53.7.
KPMG Canada, Sun Life, and 7 other employers with 259 open positions
The Banking & Finance sector in Kitchener-Waterloo currently has 259 open positions across 9 employers in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge. With an average of 49 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Kitchener-Waterloo's overall market average of 53.7.
Walmart Canada, Loblaw Companies Limited, and 8 other employers with 178 open positions
The Retail sector in Kitchener-Waterloo currently has 178 open positions across 10 employers in Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo. With an average of 37 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Kitchener-Waterloo's overall market average of 53.7.
GHD, Aecon Group Inc., and 4 other employers with 142 open positions
The Construction sector in Kitchener-Waterloo currently has 142 open positions across 6 employers in Waterloo, Cambridge, Kitchener. With an average of 48 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Kitchener-Waterloo's overall market average of 53.7.
Manulife, Equitable, and 6 other employers with 128 open positions
The Insurance sector in Kitchener-Waterloo currently has 128 open positions across 8 employers in Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge. With an average of 54 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Kitchener-Waterloo's overall market average of 53.7.
Septodont North America, Grand River Hospital, and 7 other employers with 115 open positions
The Healthcare sector in Kitchener-Waterloo currently has 115 open positions across 9 employers in Cambridge, Kitchener. With an average of 42 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Kitchener-Waterloo's overall market average of 53.7.
EY, WSP in Canada, and 3 other employers with 91 open positions
The Consulting sector in Kitchener-Waterloo currently has 91 open positions across 5 employers in Waterloo, Kitchener. With an average of 35 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Kitchener-Waterloo's overall market average of 53.7.
Management and Manufacturing leads with 308 jobs (16% of market) at 48 applicants | Finance and Sales easiest to break into at 39 applicants
Management and Manufacturing dominates Kitchener-Waterloo's job market with 308 open positions—16% of all jobs—at 48 applicants per role. Other follows with 215 positions at 54 applicants each. The top 3 functions account for 737 jobs—38% of Kitchener-Waterloo's entire job market.
Competition varies significantly by function. Information Technology is the most competitive category in Kitchener-Waterloo with 67 applicants per job, while Finance and Sales offers the best odds at just 39 applicants—a 29-applicant difference. Of 6 functions analyzed, 0 are highly competitive (70+ applicants) and 1 have below-average competition (under 40 applicants).
Kitchener-Waterloo averages 53.7 applicants per job across 1,939 open positions. Software Engineer is hardest at 69 applicants; Nurse is easiest at 25.
Software Engineer (69 applicants per job). These roles see 2.8× more competition than healthcare positions.
Nurse (25 applicants per job, 418 openings).
OpenText leads with 92 jobs, followed by KPMG Canada (68) and Sun Life (66). 477 companies are actively hiring.
1,939 open positions across 477 employers. Data from LinkedIn, updated Dec 2, 2025.
Technology (381 jobs), Manufacturing (280), and Banking & Finance (259).
ResumeTarget.com compiled and analyzed 1,939 full-time job postings from LinkedIn across the Kitchener-Waterloo-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 53.7 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.
