Skip to Content
City of Oshawa

Text Resize

Regular Large X-Large

Colour Contrast

Default High

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, please contact [email protected]

View Our Accessibility Plan

  • Careers
  • Live Chat

Invest Oshawa homepage Invest Oshawa homepage

Invest Oshawa

  • Business News
  • Incentives and Support
    • Incentives and Support
    • Community Improvement Plans
    • Heritage Property Tax Reduction
    • Small Business Support
    • Urban Design Awards
  • Why Oshawa
    • Why Oshawa
    • Available Land and Buildings
    • Demographics
    • Education and Talent
    • Innovation and Learning
    • Labour Force
    • Proximity to Markets
    • Transportation Logistics
  • Key Sectors
    • Key Sectors
    • Advanced Manufacturing
    • Energy Generation
    • Health and Biosciences
    • Multimodal Transportation and Logistics
    • Information Technologies
Contact Us
X

General Motors Oshawa Assembly Plant

Labour Force

HomeWhy OshawaLabour Force
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

The Greater Toronto Area and Canada is home to the most educated workforce in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (O.E.C.D.) with some of the best schools in the world. The region continues to attract talent built upon one of the most progressive immigration policies around the globe. Companies in Oshawa benefit from a labour force of 1.2 million within a 45 minute commute. Oshawa's labour force is highly educated, with 83% of the population aged 25–64 years having a certificate, diploma or degree. Companies have direct access to a post-secondary student population of 25,000 at Durham College, Ontario Tech University, and Trent University Durham G.T.A.

Labour Force Status

Labour Force Status
Demographic Total Male Female

Total - Population aged 15 years and over by Labour force status 

131,110 

63,490 

67,625 

In the labour force

81,425 

41,840 

39,585 

Employed

73,470 

37,550 

35,920 

Unemployed

7,955 

4,295 

3,660 

Not in the labour force

49,685 

21,645 

28,040 

Participation rate

62.1%

65.9%

58.5%

Employment rate

56.0%

59.1%

53.1%

Unemployment rate

7.8%

8.3%

6.2%

Work Activity During the Reference Year

Work Activity
Criteria Total Male  Female

Total population aged 15 years and over by work activity during the reference year 

131,110 

63,485 

67,625 

Did not work

48,315 

20,775 

27,540 

Worked

82,795 

42,715 

40,090 

Worked full year, full time

43,840 

24,680 

19,160 

Worked part year and/or part time

38,955 

18,030 

20,925 

Average weeks worked in reference year

43.2 

43.7 

42.7 

Occupation (N.O.C.)

Occupation – National Occupational Classification (N.O.C.)
Criteria Total Male Female

Total labour force population aged 15 years and over by occupation - N.O.C. 2016 

81,425 

41,835 

39,585 

Occupation - not applicable

2,590 

1,190 

1,400 

All occupations

78,840 

40,650 

38,185 

0 Management occupations

7,250 

4,270 

2,980 

1 Business, finance and administration occupations

11,775 

3,235 

8,540 

2 Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

4,000 

3,200 

800 

3 Health occupations

4,745 

680 

4,065 

4 Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services

8,565 

2,520 

6,050 

5 Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

1,895 

855 

1,040 

6 Sales and service occupations

21,175 

8,850 

12,325 

7 Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

13,790 

12,830 

960 

8 Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations

940 

790 

145 

9 Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

4,690 

3,415 

1,275 

Industry (N.A.I.C.S.)

Industry – North American Industry Classification System (N.A.I.C.S.)
Criteria Total Male Female

Total labour force population aged 15 years and over by Industry - N.A.I.C.S.

81,430 

41,840 

39,585 

Industry - NAICS2012 - not applicable

2,590 

1,190 

1,400 

All industry categories

78,840 

40,650 

38,190 

11 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

240 

145 

95 

21 Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

100 

70 

30 

22 Utilities

1,415 

1,050 

365 

23 Construction

6,565 

5,860 

705 

31-33 Manufacturing

7,950 

5,800 

2,150 

41 Wholesale trade

2,990 

2,050 

940 

44-45 Retail trade

10,010 

4,680 

5,335 

48-49 Transportation and warehousing

4,600 

3,540 

1,060 

51 Information and cultural industries

1,920 

1,040 

875 

52 Finance and insurance

2,965 

1,135 

1,835 

53 Real estate and rental and leasing

1,265 

645 

620 

54 Professional, scientific and technical services

4,180 

2,100 

2,080 

55 Management of companies and enterprises

105 

40 

65 

56 Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

4,795 

2,620 

2,175 

61 Educational services

5,890 

1,825 

4,065 

62 Health care and social assistance

8,780 

1,215 

7,565 

71 Arts, entertainment and recreation

1,620 

880 

740 

72 Accommodation and food services

5,795 

2,195 

3,600 

81 Other services (except public administration)

3,375 

1,620 

1,760 

91 Public administration

4,280 

2,145 

2,135 

Place of Work Status

Place of Work Status
Criteria Total Male Female

Total - Place of work status for the employed labour force aged 15 years and over in private households 

73,470 

37,545 

35,925 

Worked at home

3,815 

1,835 

1,980 

Worked outside Canada

130 

75 

55 

No fixed workplace address

9,540 

7,110 

2,435 

Worked at usual place

59,985 

28,530 

31,455 

Commuting Destination

Commuting Destination
Criteria Total Male Female

Total - Commuting destination for the employed labour force aged 15 years and over in private households with a usual place of work 

59,985 

28,525 

31,455 

Commute within census subdivision (C.S.D.) of residence

23,050 

9,005 

14,050 

Commute to a different census subdivision (C.S.D.) within census division (C.D.) of residence

20,075 

9,960 

10,120 

Commute to a different census subdivision (C.S.D.) and census division (C.D.) within province or territory of residence

16,700 

9,460 

7,245 

Commute to a different province or territory

155 

100 

50 

Main mode of commuting

     
 

Total

Male

Female 

Total - Main mode of commuting for the employed labour force aged 15 years and over in private households with a usual place of work or no fixed workplace address

69,530 

35,640 

33,885 

Car, truck, van - as a driver

54,100 

28,760 

25,345 

Car, truck, van - as a passenger

4,950 

2,420 

2,525 

Public transit

6,780 

2,750 

4,025 

Walked

2,760 

1,150 

1,615 

Bicycle

230 

185 

45 

Other method

710 

365 

340 

Commuting duration

     
 

Total 

Male 

Female 

Total - Commuting duration for the employed labour force aged 15 years and over in private households with a usual place of work or no fixed workplace address

69,530 

35,640 

33,890 

Less than 15 minutes

18,480 

7,670 

10,805 

15 to 29 minutes

20,645 

9,890 

10,755 

30 to 44 minutes

9,835 

5,555 

4,285 

45 to 59 minutes

6,505 

3,970 

2,535 

60 minutes and over

14,060 

8,560 

5,500 

Top Occupations

Total - Occupation - National Occupational Classification (N.O.C.) 2016  Total Jobs  

    6 Sales and service occupations

          52,170

    1 Business, finance and administration occupations

          15,430

    4 Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services

            8,150

    0 Management occupations

            7,760

    3 Health occupations

            5,040

    7 Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

            4,890

    2 Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

            4,590

    9 Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

            2,520

    5 Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

            2,330

    8 Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations

            1,190

Top Industries

Top Industries in Oshawa (2016)
  Total 

Total - Industry - North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 2012

          52,170

    62 Health care and social assistance

            8,590

    61 Educational services

            5,660

    31-33 Manufacturing

            4,660

    72 Accommodation and food services

            4,400

    91 Public administration

            3,650

    56 Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

            2,760

    54 Professional, scientific and technical services

            2,670

    81 Other services (except public administration)

            2,290

    48-49 Transportation and warehousing

            2,040

    23 Construction

            1,520

    52 Finance and insurance

            1,360

    41 Wholesale trade

            1,240

    53 Real estate and rental and leasing

            1,000

    51 Information and cultural industries

                970

    71 Arts, entertainment and recreation

                920

    22 Utilities

                380

    11 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

                  90

    21 Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

                  40

    55 Management of companies and enterprises

                  20

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2016

Data Provided by: Durham Workforce Authority

Why Oshawa
  • Labour Force
  • View Full Why Oshawa Menu
    • Why Oshawa
    • Available Land and Buildings
      • Northwood Business Park
      • Site Selection Assistance
    • Demographics
    • Education and Talent
    • Innovation and Learning
    • Proximity to Markets
    • Transportation Logistics

Contact Us

© 2022 Invest Oshawa

2nd Floor, Rundle Tower, City Hall,
50 Centre St. S.,
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 3Z7

Phone: 905-436-5617
Toll Free: 1-800-667-4292
Fax: 905-436-5623
Email: [email protected]

  • Resources

    • Accessibility
    • Contact Us
    • Freedom of Information
    • Land Acknowledgement
    • Privacy and Terms of Use
    • Sitemap
    • Website Feedback
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.