Who’s Hiring in Durham? A Look at Job Demand in Q3 2025
Durham Region’s job demand remained strong in Q3 2025, with 11,189 new job postings and 12,954 active listings overall. This consistent level of employer activity shows confidence in the regional economy and the continued need for skilled and service-oriented workers.
Top Occupations
The most in-demand jobs this quarter reflect both stability and transition within Durham’s workforce:
- Food counter attendants and kitchen helpers (NOC 65201) – 1,561 postings
- Home support workers and caregivers (NOC 44101) – 1,067 postings
- Registered and licensed practical nurses (NOC 31301, 32101) – over 1,100 combined postings
- Retail salespersons and merchandisers (NOC 64100) – 2,175 postings (still high, but continuing to decline)
These patterns highlight persistent demand in health, caregiving, and service roles—fields that have led job growth throughout 2025.
Sector Trends
The health care and social assistance sector remained Durham’s top employer, followed closely by retail trade, education, and administrative support services.
While the administrative and support sector saw a sharp 39% decline, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting continued its steady climb, showing growth for the second quarter in a row.
Wages and Skills
Wages rose modestly this quarter, with an average posted hourly wage of $28.20 and a median of $23.32. Wage increases were most notable in manufacturing, construction, and utilities, where demand for skilled trades and technical expertise remains strong.
Employers emphasized communication, customer service, and organizational skills, while roughly 85% of postings did not specify formal education or experience requirements, making many roles accessible to new entrants and career changers.
Durham’s Q3 data reinforces what we’ve seen throughout 2025: the region’s workforce remains active and opportunity-rich, but job demand continues to centre on service, care, and trade-based occupations.