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Career Outlook

National Outlook – 10-Year Projection (2011-2020)

This section provides labour demand and labour supply projections for this occupation over the 2011-2020 period.

Note: The tables, graphs and middle paragraph shown under this section display updated 2011-2020 projection results. The remaining narrative text (2009-2018 projections) will be updated shortly. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The data in the following table are derived from HRSDC's Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS). COPS uses a variety of models to produce a detailed 10-year labour market projection per broad skill level and per occupation at the national level, which focuses on the trends of labour supply and labour demand over the next ten years.

This occupation Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists' Assistants is part of a larger occupational group called Medical Technologists and Technicians (Except Dental Health) (NOC 321).

Table on the demographic profile for your chosen occupation at the national level.

Occupations in this group	Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists' Assistants (3211) Medical Laboratory Technicians (3212) Veterinary and Animal Health Technologists and Technicians (3213) Respiratory Therapists, Clinical Perfusionists and Cardiopulmonary Technologists (3214) Medical Radiation Technologists (3215) Medical Sonographers (3216) Cardiology Technologists (3217) Electroencephalographic and Other Diagnostic Technologists, n.e.c. (3218) Other Medical Technologists and Technicians (Except Dental Health) (3219)
Employment (non-student) in 2010	88,822
Median Age of workers in 2010	46
Average Retirement Age in 2010	40

Occupation Projection for Canada

Over the 2006-2008 period, this occupation saw employment growth similar to the occupational average, as well as a declining unemployment rate. The unemployment rate was very low, at 1.3% in 2008. The average hourly wage in this occupation also grew at a rate similar to the occupational average. Despite favourable labour market conditions, key labour market indicators show that the number of job seekers was sufficient to fill job openings in this occupation.

Over the 2011-2020 period, an occupation will be in excess demand (a shortage of workers) if the projected job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are greater than the projected job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility), while an occupation will be in excess supply (a surplus of workers) if the projected job seekers are greater than the projected job openings. For Medical Technologists And Technicians (Except Dental Health), over the period of 2011-2020, job openings are expected to total 40,304. It is expected that 41,321 job seekers will be available to fill these job openings.

Based on projections and considering that labour supply and demand in this occupation were balanced, it is expected that the number of job seekers will remain sufficient to fill job openings over the 2009-2018 period. The majority of job openings will arise from retirements, while more than 40% will be due to expansion demand. Similar to the other health occupations, employment growth in this occupation over the next few years will be sizeable, as a result of the aging population. This will lead to an increased demand for health services and, therefore, an increased demand for health professionals. Moreover, the arrival of new medical technologies and techniques, as well as the introduction of more advanced equipment, will require more technologists. In terms of supply, the majority of job seekers will come from the school system, given the specific and high level skills required for this occupation.

This Chart contains data for Projection of Job Openings vs. Job Seekers for Canada. Information is available in the following tables.

Category	Openings	%
Expansion Demand	15,906	39%
Retirements	20,058	50%
Deaths	2,306	6%
Emigration	2,035	5%
Projected Job Openings	40,304	100%

Category	Seekers	%
School Leavers	32,614	79%
Immigration	5,706	14%
Net Mobility	3,002	7%
Projected Job Seekers	41,321	100%

[ Source:Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) ]