Job prospects Application Tester in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "application tester" 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 Information systems testing technicians (NOC 22222) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
• A moderate number of 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 the leading share employed in computer systems design and related services, which include video game design and development
• Finance and insurance companies

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• The extensive use of advanced digital tools across all industries will continue to create job opportunities
• Significant presence of video game companies in Ontario, which may create demand for video game testers
• However the pace of job growth may be affected by recent restructuring in the technology sector

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• Formal education in a related discipline such as computer science
• Knowledge of computer programming languages such as Java, Structured Query Language and Python
• 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 Information systems testing technicians in Ontario:

• Approximately 6,650 people work in this occupation.
• Information systems testing technicians mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 47%
  • Monetary Authorities - central bank and securities, commodity contracts and other intermediation and related activities (NAICS 521, 522, 523): 12%
  • Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 7%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 95% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 72% of information systems testing technicians 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 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 11% of information systems testing technicians are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 57% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 42% 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: 24% 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: 28% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 25% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 17% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology