Job prospects Operating Systems Programmer in Nova Scotia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "operating systems programmer" in Nova Scotia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Nova Scotia

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be very good for Computer systems developers and programmers (NOC 21230) in Nova Scotia for the 2024-2026 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.

While employment related to the information technology sector have grown rapidly over the past decade, a cooler hiring environment in this occupation has been noted in recent years. Jobseekers with a few years of experience will have a significant edge over recent university graduates.  

Demand for this occupation in smaller communities in the province is sometimes linked to automation of local manufacturers, which means that opportunities may arise sporadically and can be temporary in nature.

Here are some key facts about Computer systems developers and programmers in Nova Scotia:

• Approximately 1,100 people work in this occupation.
• Computer systems developers and programmers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 52%
  • Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 9%
  • Universities (NAICS 6113): 6%
  • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 5%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 92% compared to 82% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 8% compared to 18% for all occupations
• 80% of computer systems developers and programmers work all year, while 20% 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.
• 10% of computer systems developers and programmers are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 73% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: 27% 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: 15% compared to 27% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 30% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 40% compared to 20% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 16% compared to 10% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Nova Scotia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "operating systems programmer" in Nova Scotia or across Canada.

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