Tech startups and office jobs aren’t the most in-demand jobs for 2026. Sure, they’re important, but the truth is that there’s still a lot of demand for jobs related to infrastructure, healthcare testing, logistics, building management, security, and so much more. Some of these jobs actually pay way above the average hourly pay range.
Naturally, the requirements for each one are also different, with some requiring apprenticeships and others asking for college diplomas. But either way, they’re going to be AI-proof in 2026.
Here are the top 5 in-demand roles in Canada for the year ahead. Do you fancy doing any of these?
Powerline technician
No amount of AI technology is going to be able to change the weather, and that’s why powerline technicians are so in demand.
The median wage, according to National Job Bank data, is around $46 per hour, or over $95,000 annually. Those working in Alberta or B.C. can expect to receive an even higher regional median.
However, being hired as a powerline technician is quite a lengthy process because you’ll need a multi-year apprenticeship with utility companies or contractors.
Handling repairs and new installations, as well as maintenance on the nation’s electrical grid, isn’t exactly easy work, either. That’s one of the reasons it pays so well.
Pharmacy assistant
Anytime you’ve visited a Canadian pharmacy, chances are that you’ll have seen pharmacy assistants hard at work. They have to fill out scripts and handle stock deliveries.
They also need to double-check every label before patients receive them, and it’s not exactly a career for those who aren’t detail-oriented. It’s why the average median salary is slightly over $51,000.
You’ll need to complete a specialized college program and get certified through professional bodies as part of your training.
Thankfully, though, it’s a job that’s constantly in demand in public healthcare systems across the country, since all those controlled medications require human oversight.
Logistics lead
Logistics leads have to deal with all kinds of problems, like coordinating teams and updating schedules. Don’t get them started on on-the-fly problem-solving.
Such a position is likely to stay human-driven because all last-minute changes rely on a human to sort out, not a machine. The average pay is around $29.49 per hour across the nation, or over $61,000 annually.
Of course, those living in provinces like British Columbia are fortunate enough to have slightly higher wages, but anyone working in this field is likely to receive a good salary. Being a logistics lead involves a lot more real-time decision-making than completing spreadsheets.
Systems security analyst
Forget what you’ve heard about cybersecurity work because it’s so much more than coding. Take systems security analysts, for starters.
They’ll need to monitor alerts and review logs while also dealing with incident response tasks for real organizations. It’s not easy. As such, the nationwide average pay is roughly $40 per hour or more, depending on the area.
Some companies are using automated tools. However, they’re still hiring real people because someone has to judge the context and escalate incidents. You can’t exactly expect an AI system to directly talk with people when there’s been a live breach.
Elevator mechanic
Every busy condo tower across the country needs human elevator mechanics to keep everything running as it should.
There are generally never enough workers in this field, as apprenticeships and licensing rules keep the workforce smaller, so the demand stays strong, year after year. What does the work involve?
It’s a lot of cable-inspecting and adjusting of control systems. You’ll also need to fix mechanical faults that the software physically can’t repair itself, and that’s why the median hourly pay comes to around $45.
Workers in denser urban areas can expect to receive even higher rates.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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