Canada 2026 Salary & Hiring Trends Guide
AI, tariffs, and shifting workforce expectations are redefining the future of work.
Executive Summary
Hiring in the Age of AI:
What Matters Now
Is your industry AI-resilient?
Which skills remain in highest demand?
How are companies adapting hiring strategies?
The Canada 2026 Hays Salary & Hiring Trends Guide is the definitive benchmark for workforce planning in 2026. Drawing on survey responses from thousands of Canadian employers and employees, it reveals how AI adoption is still in its early stages — but accelerating fast — alongside macroeconomic pressures like tariffs that are delaying or reducing hiring for nearly 25% of companies.
As a global leader in recruitment and workforce solutions, Hays connects organizations with the talent they need to thrive. Our market intelligence and industry expertise make this guide a trusted resource for decision-makers and professionals alike.
Key Findings Snapshot
+45%
of Canadian companies are using free AI tools
2%
of roles are being fully replaced by AI
+40%
Employers investing in upskilling employees
25%
organizations reporting tariff-related hiring delays
Survey conducted August 2025 across Canadian industries, HR professionals, hiring managers, and employees. Some questions allowed respondents to select up to three answers, so totals may exceed 100%.
A Message from Hays Leadership
AI, economic uncertainty, and shifting workforce expectations are reshaping the labour market — but at what speed?”
The 2026 labour market is marked by contradiction: rapid technological change alongside economic caution. Organizations are moving carefully — balancing innovation with stability.
At Hays, we see employers shifting focus from aggressive hiring toward building resilience. That means investing in upskilling, supporting adaptability, and reevaluating what “critical skills” look like in the age of AI.
The real opportunity is not simply to adopt technology, but to create workplaces where human skills and digital tools reinforce one another. This is where leaders can set the tone for long-term success.
The Evolution of AI in the Workplace
From Buzzword to Business Reality
AI has moved from experimentation to adoption. Statistics Canada estimated 1 in 10 employees at high risk of experiencing automation-related job transformation by 2030.
How Quickly are Companies Actually Adopting AI?
Current AI Usage
AI Platform Adoption*
*Up to three responses allowed.
Functions Most Affected*
*Up to three responses allowed.
We are still experimenting with where AI fits into financial reporting and analytics. A lot of work is being done to explore the use of AI in forecasting, resource allocation modelling, and financial analytics.”
– Director of Finance, global consumer products company.
AI’s Impact:
Slow Bleed or Rapid Replacement?
What Happens When Employees Leave?
Companies are taking varied approaches to role transitions, with most favoring human–AI collaboration over outright replacement:
AI is widely used across the organization. Tools like Copilot and ChatGPT help automate routine tasks (emails, notes, meeting actions) and support complex work such as market research and report summaries to boost efficiency.”
– Director of Finance, global consumer products company.
Skills in Demmand:
- Machine learning
- AI governance expertise
- Digital-fluent leaders
From Disruption to Demand:
Roles That Are Being Created by AI
Learn to work with AI, not against it. Prompt engineering, data literacy, and automation fluency are becoming baseline skills across industries.
The Human Factor:
Why the Human Touch Still Matters
Human Skills Remain Irreplaceable
Even in an AI-driven world, roles requiring empathy, leadership, and complex decision-making continue to show high resilience to automation.
Top Reasons Why Companies Aren’t Using AI*
*Up to three responses allowed.
Employees’ confidence in their skills:
63
confident their skills are up to date
23
think their skills are useful, but need updating
9
actively improving for employability
The Upskilling Revolution
Top 5 Ways Companies Supported Employee Development in the Last 12 Months*
*Up to three responses allowed.
42%
of organizations are upskilling current employees rather than hiring new talent
Companies are shifting to blended talent strategies, combining hiring with upskilling. Many invest in L&D, giving employees access to training in AI tools, data analytics, and automation to boost internal capabilities.”
– Alistair Houghton, Vice President of Accounting and Finance Recruitment at Hays.
AI Risks & Reality Checks
AI holds transformative potential, but risks like shrinking entry-level roles, governance gaps, and over-reliance on automation are real. At the same time, over-hyped promises can fuel skepticism and distract from legitimate workplace concerns.
The “elephant in the room” is tariffs: an external pressure reshaping costs, workforce stability, and hiring decisions. AI adoption doesn’t happen in a vacuum — organizations must navigate both technological disruption and macroeconomic forces like tariffs.
Industry Insights
Salaries & Contractor Rates
In the sections that follow, you’ll see highlights of how salaries and workforce dynamics are evolving across different industries. These insights spotlight “hot jobs” — identified in Hays Mint — where demand is expected to surge in the coming year.
The full salary benchmarks and contractor rates are available exclusively in the downloadable guide.
Interior Design
Introducing AI Resilience Insights
Pay alone doesn’t tell the full story in 2026. Understanding how resilient a role is to AI disruption is just as critical.
This year, our experts introduced AI Resilience rankings to help readers understand how emerging technologies may affect specific roles. Each ranking reflects Hays’ professional analysis of how current, software-based AI capabilities are likely to influence roles over the next 12 months.
These insights highlight which roles are most secure, which are evolving, and where new skill demands are emerging—offering directional guidance, not definitive predictions.
AI Resilience
Accounting & Finance
Overall AI Resilience: Medium
AI is beginning to influence Accounting & Finance. However, its impact remains modest compared to other industries.
From where I sit, as someone who spends every day talking to finance leaders and helping build out high-performing teams, the impact of AI on talent strategy is both exciting and challenging. Across industries, organizations are feeling the pressure to bring in specialized talent in machine learning, automation, and data science. But it’s not just about hiring for technical skills; it’s about building teams that can evolve, collaborate, and thrive in a rapidly changing environment.”
— Alistair Houghton, Vice President of Accounting and Finance Recruitment at Hays.
Where AI Helps
- Automated invoicing and fraud detection
- Forecasting and reporting support
- Dashboarding and analytics acceleration
Skills in Demand
- Financial planning and analysis
- Dashboarding and reporting (Skills in tools like Power BI)
- Technical proficiency (Knowledge of SQL and Python)
- Data literacy
- Soft skills
Outlook
Teams are slimming down but skewing toward more analytical hires who can partner effectively with AI, while applying judgment.
Architecture & Interior Design
Overall AI Resilience: High
AI is reshaping the architecture and interior design industries by streamlining workflows, enhancing creativity, and enabling smarter, data-driven decisions.
Where AI Helps
- Generative design
- Personalized layouts
- Automated drafting
- AI-powered visualization tools:
- AR/VR
- Predictive analytics
- Sustainability modeling
Skills in Demand
- Proficiency with AI-enhanced design tools (e.g., Revit, ArchiCAD, Midjourney)
- Computational and generative design skills
- Strong grasp of BIM (Building Information Modeling)
- AR/VR and 3D visualization capabilities
- Sustainable design knowledge
- Creative problem-solving and adaptability
Outlook
Rather than replacing professionals, AI enhances creativity, innovation, and efficiency.
Construction
Overall AI Resiliency: High
AI adoption in construction is selective. Safety rules, coordination needs, and liability keep humans central on job sites, though AI is emerging in support functions.
The construction industry has been slow to adopt tech, but that’s changing fast. As understanding grows, more clients are using AI to automate tasks like scope analysis and material estimates—work typically done by coordinators or estimators.”
— Russell Carnley, Vice President of Construction Recruitment at Hays.
Where AI Helps
- Design & Planning: AI is used for generative design and layout optimization, while BIM
systems integrated with AI help detect clashes and simulate construction sequences. - Project Management: AI supports forecasting timelines, identifying risks, and improving resource allocation through predictive analytics.
- Safety & Compliance: Computer vision monitors job sites in real time, and AI-powered wearables track worker health and environmental hazards.
- Procurement & Supply Chain: AI algorithms streamline inventory management and procurement schedules, reducing waste and improving delivery timing.
- Robotics & Automation: Autonomous equipment, like bricklaying robots and surveying drones, is increasingly used, especially on large-scale projects.AI has potential in administrative tasks, helping improve efficiency and reduce manual effort.IM-driven design and clash detection
Skills in Demand
- Operational stability
- Internal employee training and development
- Critical thinking
- Software proficiency
- Change management
Outlook
In the coming years, autonomous equipment and AI platforms will become more central, driving demand for tech-savvy talent. Over the long term, roles will shift toward oversight and modular construction methods, shaped by evolving safety standards and accountability regulations.
Human Resources
Overall AI Resilience: Medium
AI is beginning to influence HR functions, particularly in areas like recruitment automation, data privacy, and governance, but its adoption is still cautious.
The Resume Revolution
AI-generated resumes are now common. While 90% of hiring managers accept them, screening tools risk rejecting qualified candidates for keyword “sameness,” forcing HR pros to balance efficiency with authentic evaluation.
HR professionals are using AI to speed up previously slower tasks. For example, using it to help with writing a job description, job advert, researching policies, and employee handbooks. But they’re not relying on AI to make decisions. The goal is to streamline tasks that used to take much longer. It’s about efficiency, definitely not about outsourcing expertise.”
— Louisa Benedicto, Senior Vice President in Human Resources Recruitment at Hays.
Where AI Helps
- Streamline hiring processes
- Improve workforce analytics
Skills in Demand
- Technical and analytical skills
- Human-centered skills
- Communication and strategic thinking
Outlook
Concerns around data accuracy, privacy, and cultural fit continue to slow widespread AI integration in HR.
Legal
Overall AI Resilience: Medium
AI is transforming legal recruitment—streamlining screening and workflows. But human judgment is key to assessing legal nuance, cultural fit, and soft skills. Use AI for efficiency, but authenticity and emotional intelligence still matter.”
— Serra Pecino, Senior Director of Legal Recruitment at Hays.
Overall AI Resilience: Medium
AI is reshaping the manufacturing and logistics landscape, not through sweeping automation alone, but by creating new demands for specialized talent and redefining traditional roles.
AI is gaining traction in manufacturing and logistics, but talent is scarce. With no clear academic path, companies prioritize adaptable, data-savvy candidates—especially those with basic programming skills like Python, JavaScript, or C++.”
— Preeti Dayal, Senior Director of Manufacturing and Logistics Recruitment at Hays.
Where AI Helps
- Operational efficiency
- Candidate screening
- Workforce analytics
- Robotics and systems
- Process optimization
Skills in Demand
- Machine learning
- Automation expertise
- Data science
- Basic programming
- Data literacy
- Critical thinking
- Adaptability
Outlook
To future-proof their workforce, clients are prioritizing data literacy, automation expertise, and critical thinking.
Office Professionals
Overall AI Resilience: Medium
AI is transforming office roles by automating routine tasks like scheduling, data entry, and email management, allowing professionals to focus on strategic and creative work.
Where AI Helps
- AI-powered assistants
- Transcription services
- Smart analytics
- Communication streamlining
Skills in Demand
- AI tool proficiency
- Data literacy
- Adaptability to new technologies
- Critical thinking
- Strong communication skills
- Emotional intelligence
Outlook
Rather than replacing office professionals, AI empowers them to become more efficient, agile, and valuable contributors to their teams.
Procurement
Overall AI Resilience: Medium
Amid supply chain stagnation and rising uncertainty, AI adoption and process efficiency offer hope. Strategic Procurement Professionals are vital—AI handles tasks, but true impact comes from sharp minds driving meaningful change.”
— Sean Naidu, Senior Manager of Procurement/Purchasing Recruitment at Hays.
Property & Facilities Management
Overall AI Resilience: Medium
AI is gradually expanding into property management, but firms remain cautious, balancing efficiency with tenant relationships.
It’s still a pretty traditional industry, and while there are conversations around integrating tools to automate things like leasing, maintenance coordination, or tenant communication, it’s not translating into new Job Titles or major hiring shifts. The focus remains on relationship-building, which is core to this business. Any AI integration is more about supporting that, not replacing it.”
— Pia Preou, Senior Director of Property and Facilities Management Recruitment at Hays.
Where AI Helps
- Smart building energy optimization
- Predictive maintenance scheduling
- Automated tenant communication
- Lease review automation
Skills in Demand
- Data literacy
- Automation fluency
- Critical thinking
- Collaboration & communication
Outlook
The future is “people-first, tech-enabled” with firms embedding training so staff can integrate tools without losing personal touch.
Resources & Mining
Overall AI Resilience: Medium
AI is revolutionizing the resources and mining sector by improving safety, efficiency, and decision-making.
Where AI Helps
- Predictive maintenance
- Automated equipment operations
- Accelerated mineral exploration
- Environmental monitoring
- Energy optimization
Skills in Demand
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Experience with AI and automation tools
- Knowledge of mining operations and safety standards
- Digital literacy and remote monitoring skills
- Problem-solving using AI insights
- Adaptability to emerging technologies
Outlook
As the industry evolves, AI is becoming essential for smarter, safer, and more productive mining practices.
Sales & Marketing
Overall AI Resilience: Medium
AI is transforming sales and marketing, helping professionals work smarter and faster. It powers personalized campaigns, automates content creation, and drives real-time insights into customer behavior. In sales, AI enhances lead scoring, forecasting, and engagement—acting as a strategic partner that boosts productivity and data-driven decisions.
Where AI Helps
- Automates campaigns and content creation
- Personalizes customer experiences
- Improves lead scoring and forecasting
- Enables real-time engagement and insights
- Optimizes funnels with generative AI
- Strengthens data-driven decision-making
Skills in Demand
- Proficiency with AI tools (ChatGPT, HubSpot, Salesforce)
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Prompt engineering and content generation
- Customer journey mapping
- Adaptability to new technologies
- Ethical AI and data privacy awareness
Outlook
Rather than replacing professionals, AI acts as a strategic partner, enhancing productivity and enabling more data-driven decisions.
Technology
Overall AI Resilience: High
No sector is transforming faster than technology. AI reshapes hiring priorities, leadership expectations, and technical roles, with premiums for those with direct implementation experience.
Clients are increasingly prioritizing a blend of technical and human-centric skills to future-proof their workforce. While a foundational understanding of AI and data is crucial, the long-term focus is on abilities that machines can’t replicate.”
— Jamie Dunne, Director of Technology Recruitment at Hays.
Where AI Helps
- Machine learning engineering and automation
- AI privacy and governance
- Cybersecurity with AI integration
- Cloud and data architecture
Skills in Demand
- AI/machine knowledge
- Data analysis
- Automation fluency
- Knowledge of Cloud/cybersecurity platforms (especially Azure)
- Critical thinking
- Collaboration & communication
Outlook
Organizations are combining external hires with internal development to build resilient, adaptable teams.
Market Trends Shaping 2026
Beyond salaries and AI adoption, broader market forces are shaping hiring strategies. From economic pressures to shifting employee expectations, these trends provide essential context for workforce planning.
Top Trends & Future Outlook
Looking Forward*
What are the most in-demand skills organizations are looking for in the next 12 months?
*Up to three responses allowed.
Looking for last year's data? Contact Us
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