Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS)

Search for Occupational Projection Summaries (2024-2033)

Search Result : Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (32104)

Occupational Outlook

MODERATE RISK OF SHORTAGE: This occupation is expected to face a moderate risk of labour shortage over the period of 2024-2033 at the national level.

Although this occupation was showing strong signs of shortage conditions in the recent years, the projected flow of job seekers is expected to somewhat exceed the projected flow of job openings. As a result, this occupation is expected to face a moderate risk of shortage conditions over the projection period.

Broad occupational categories

Health occupations, except management

Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER)

TEER 2: Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Employment in 2023

25,800

Percentage of workers aged 50 and over in 2023

7 %

Estimated Median Age of Retirement in 2023

64 years old

Step 1: Recent labour market conditions (2021-2023)

The occupation showed strong signs of shortage in recent years. Indeed, the analysis of key labour market indicators, including job vacancies, employment growth, and the unemployment rate suggests that labour demand substantially exceeded labour supply in this occupation over the 2021-2023 period.

• Annual employment growth in this occupation was significantly above the average for all occupations (1.3%). In fact, employment growth was among the strongest recorded across all occupations.
• The unemployment rate remained low in 2023, well below the national average of 5.4%.
• The number of job vacancies remained at an elevated level and there was consistently less than one unemployed worker per job vacancy, limiting the ability of employers to fill vacancies. Indeed, over half of vacancies remained unfilled after 90 days, compared to the average of one-third among all occupations.
• The restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in remote working led to an increase in pet ownership and demand for animal health services.

Step 2: Projected flows of job openings and new job seekers (2024-2033)

Over the period 2024-2033, the number of job openings for Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians is expected to total 8,400, which is relatively similar to the number of job seekers (12,100).

Projected job openings (2024-2033)

Over the period 2024-2033, a total of 8,400 job openings are projected, resulting from both job creation (expansion demand) and replacement demand (retirements, in-service deaths, or emigration). This equates to an average of 840 per year, representing approximately 3.3% of its 2023 employment level (25,800 workers).

• Job creation is expected to account for approximately 75% of job openings, a higher proportion than the average for all occupations (around 32% of job openings).
• Annual employment growth (2.2%) is expected to be higher than the national average (1.2%). As was the case over the past decade, population growth is expected to lead to an increase in the number of household pet owners. Additionally, improvements in the health services offered to pets, access to different pet insurance products, and the enforcement of livestock import and export inspections are also expected to continue driving demand for animal health services.
• Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians work mainly in Legal, Accounting, Consulting and Other Professional Services (90 %), an industry expected to grow at an annual rate of 1.6% over the period.
• Replacement demand is expected to account for about 25% of job openings.
  • Most of the replacement needs are due to retirement (approximately 46%), a proportion lower than the national average (around 78%).
  • Although workers in this occupation tend to retire at an age similar to the average, as fewer of them are aged 50 and over, they have a lower retirement rate than the average for all occupations.

Projected job seekers (2024-2033)

Over the period 2024-2033, a total of 12,100 job seekers arising from school leavers, immigrants, re-entrants into the labour market, and those changing occupations are expected, equivalent to an average of 1,210 job seekers per year. This represents around 4.7% of the 2023 employment level (25,800 workers).

• School leavers are expected to account for the vast majority of job seekers.
• College graduates from animal health technology programs account for an increasing share of employment. Yet, there is an expectation in the sector that graduation rates for veterinarian technicians may be lower among the COVID cohort due to higher student attrition and difficulty completing program requirements.
• Immigrants are expected to account for a relatively small share of job seekers.
• Finally, as their wage is about 20% below the national average, some workers are expected to seek work in other occupations, notably occupations related to animal health and well-being, making net mobility negative for this occupation.

Step 3: Future labour market conditions (by 2033)