Ottawa averages 46.4 applicants per job across 4,287 open positions from 942 employers.
Software Engineer leads with 85 applicants per job—2.9× higher than the least competitive roles
Ottawa's most competitive positions are concentrated in technology roles. Our analysis of 4,287 LinkedIn job postings shows Software Engineer as the hardest role to land, with 85 applicants competing for each of just 140 openings. That's 2.9× more competitive than Nurse roles and 83% above Ottawa's average of 46.4 applicants per job.
Hardest to land — polish your resume
66+ openings across healthcare roles with just 29-29 applicants per job
Better odds — still need a great resume
Healthcare roles dominate Ottawa's least competitive job categories. Nurse positions have just 29 applicants per opening across 66 available jobs—2.9× easier to land than Software Engineer roles and 38% below Ottawa's average competition of 46.4 applicants.
Software Engineer leads with 140 openings at 85 applicants per job | Software Engineer is hardest to land at 85 applicants | Nurse easiest at 29
Our analysis of 4,287 LinkedIn job postings reveals significant variation in competition across Ottawa's 4 major job categories. Software Engineer offers the most opportunity with 140 open positions, but faces 85 applicants per role. Meanwhile, Software Engineer is the hardest role to land in Ottawa with 85 applicants competing for just 140 openings.
Of all 4 job titles analyzed, 1 roles are highly competitive (70+ applicants) accounting for 140 jobs, while 1 roles have below-average competition (under 40 applicants) with 66 combined openings. The competition gap in Ottawa is stark: Software Engineer averages 85 applicants while Nurse sees just 29—a 2.9× difference.
University of Ottawa leads with 113 jobs (2.6% of market) | Defence Construction Canada hardest at 60 applicants | Loblaw Companies Limited easiest at 26
University of Ottawa dominates Ottawa's job market with 113 open positions—2.6% of all jobs in the metro area—at 37 applicants per role. City of Ottawa / Ville d’Ottawa follows with 103 positions at 43 applicants each. The top 10 employers alone account for 724 jobs—17% of Ottawa's market.
Competition varies dramatically by employer. Defence Construction Canada is the hardest place to get hired in Ottawa with 60 applicants per job, while Loblaw Companies Limited offers better odds at just 26 applicants. Of 10 major employers analyzed, 0 have high competition (70+ applicants) and 8 have below-average competition (under 40 applicants).
Browse 8 industries hiring across the Ottawa metro area
Data compiled by ResumeTarget.com from 4,287 LinkedIn job postings in the Ottawa metro area. Updated Dec 2, 2025.
Exposant 3, Canonical, and 8 other employers with 708 open positions
The Technology sector in Ottawa currently has 708 open positions across 10 employers in Gatineau, Ottawa. With an average of 54 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Ottawa's overall market average of 46.4.
KPMG Canada, TD, and 8 other employers with 396 open positions
The Banking & Finance sector in Ottawa currently has 396 open positions across 10 employers in Ottawa, Gatineau. With an average of 42 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Ottawa's overall market average of 46.4.
Walmart Canada, Loblaw Companies Limited, and 8 other employers with 387 open positions
The Retail sector in Ottawa currently has 387 open positions across 10 employers in Ottawa, Gatineau. With an average of 35 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Ottawa's overall market average of 46.4.
The Ottawa Hospital, Chartwell Retirement Residences, and 8 other employers with 294 open positions
The Healthcare sector in Ottawa currently has 294 open positions across 10 employers in Ottawa, Gatineau. With an average of 35 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Ottawa's overall market average of 46.4.
City of Ottawa / Ville d’Ottawa, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement(SCHL), and 4 other employers with 269 open positions
The Government sector in Ottawa currently has 269 open positions across 6 employers in Ottawa, Gatineau. With an average of 48 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Ottawa's overall market average of 46.4.
Defence Construction Canada, CIMA+, and 8 other employers with 252 open positions
The Construction sector in Ottawa currently has 252 open positions across 10 employers in Ottawa, Gatineau. With an average of 49 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Ottawa's overall market average of 46.4.
L3Harris Technologies, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, and 7 other employers with 246 open positions
The Manufacturing sector in Ottawa currently has 246 open positions across 9 employers in Ottawa. With an average of 55 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Ottawa's overall market average of 46.4.
Ciena, Telesat, and 8 other employers with 222 open positions
The Telecommunications sector in Ottawa currently has 222 open positions across 10 employers in Ottawa. With an average of 62 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Ottawa's overall market average of 46.4.
Other leads with 657 jobs (15% of market) at 40 applicants | Health Care Provider easiest to break into at 31 applicants
Other dominates Ottawa's job market with 657 open positions—15% of all jobs—at 40 applicants per role. Management and Manufacturing follows with 562 positions at 37 applicants each. The top 3 functions account for 1,723 jobs—40% of Ottawa's entire job market.
Competition varies significantly by function. Engineering and Information Technology is the most competitive category in Ottawa with 59 applicants per job, while Health Care Provider offers the best odds at just 31 applicants—a 28-applicant difference. Of 9 functions analyzed, 0 are highly competitive (70+ applicants) and 4 have below-average competition (under 40 applicants).
How does Ottawa's job competition compare to Ontario rivals?
Head-to-head job market comparison
Ottawa has 35% less competition overall than Toronto. Ottawa wins on most role comparisons.
See full Toronto job market data →Ranked by competition level (lower = easier)
Ottawa ranks #3 of 5 for easiest job market in Ontario.
Competition changes from other cities
Competition data based on 4,287 active job postings in Ottawa.
Ottawa averages 46.4 applicants per job across 4,287 open positions. Software Engineer is hardest at 85 applicants; Nurse is easiest at 29.
Software Engineer (85 applicants per job). These roles see 2.9× more competition than healthcare positions.
Nurse (29 applicants per job, 66 openings).
University of Ottawa leads with 113 jobs, followed by City of Ottawa / Ville d’Ottawa (103) and Walmart Canada (88). 942 companies are actively hiring.
4,287 open positions across 942 employers. Data from LinkedIn, updated Dec 2, 2025.
Technology (708 jobs), Banking & Finance (396), and Retail (387).
ResumeTarget.com compiled and analyzed 4,287 full-time job postings from LinkedIn across the Ottawa-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 46.4 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.
