Job prospects Lead Software Engineer in British Columbia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "lead software engineer" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Software engineers and designers (NOC 21231) in British Columbia for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few 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.

• Occupations in the technology sector continue to see strong demand with a growing IT sector in British Columbia. Employment in these occupations grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic with a slight decline as employers adjusted to a post pandemic reality. Demand is centered in the Lower Mainland-Southwest region with a large number of technology firms having offices in Metro Vancouver.

Here are some key facts about Software engineers and designers in British Columbia:

• Approximately 22,500 people work in this occupation.
• Software engineers and designers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 51%
  • Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 16%
  • Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 8%
  • Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 6%
• 79% of software engineers and designers work all year, while 21% 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 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• 7% of software engineers and designers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 83% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 17% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 7% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 9% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 52% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 31% compared to 12% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in British Columbia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "lead software engineer" in British Columbia or across Canada.

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