Job prospects Search Engine Optimization Specialist in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "search engine optimization specialist" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Web developers and programmers (NOC 21234) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Various industries, but half employed in computer systems design and related services
• Public administration, largely federal government departments
• Finance and insurance, mainly banks

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• The need for business operations to have a website to market products and services will continue to create employment
• However, the availability of advanced software is expected to simplify the steps in web development and ease some of the demand for these professionals

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• In addition to other formal education, understanding of programming languages such as Javascript, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
• Although experience with front-end web development is more commonly required, knowledge of full stack development (front-end and back-end tasks) may be an asset in securing employment
• Experience with project management approaches such as Agile is also often required

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• In general:
  • Micro-credentials or short-term training courses and certification are being offered by post-secondary institutions to help job seekers upskill; courses may also be offered by industry stakeholders
  • Bridging Programs are also available to assist internationally trained professionals in various fields enter the labour market more quickly in the province.

Here are some key facts about Web developers and programmers in Ontario:

• Approximately 12,750 people work in this occupation.
• Web developers and programmers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 55%
  • Monetary Authorities - central bank and securities, commodity contracts and other intermediation and related activities (NAICS 521, 522, 523): 6%
  • Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 5%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 89% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 11% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 71% of web developers and programmers work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 21% of web developers and programmers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 74% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 26% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 14% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 21% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 43% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 20% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "search engine optimization specialist" Web designers and developers (NOC 21234) or across Canada.

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