Job prospects Social Policy Researcher in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "social policy researcher" 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 Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers (NOC 41403) 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?

• The largest number work in public administration, mainly in the federal government
• Professional, scientific and technical services companies, such as legal and immigration consultancy firms

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Government-led initiatives related to labour market planning, housing programs, and family supports, may create work in this occupation
• Budgetary commitments for social programs and services to support marginalized groups and communities
• Increased immigration targets and the need for settlement and immigration-related services
• Public sector funding overall and budgetary changes since a large number of these professionals work in public administration

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• Employment requirements may vary based on specialization

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• Certain job titles in this occupational group are subject to federal or provincial regulation.

Here are some key facts about Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers in Ontario:

• Approximately 29,550 people work in this occupation.
• Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 47%
  • Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 12%
  • Legal services (NAICS 5411): 10%
  • Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 6%
  • Religious, grant-making, civic, and professional and similar organizations (NAICS 813): 6%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 92% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 8% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 79% of social policy researchers, consultants and program officers work all year, while 21% 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 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 10% of social policy researchers, consultants and program officers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 34% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 66% 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: 6% 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: 11% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 39% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 43% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "social policy researcher" Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers (NOC 41403) or across Canada.

Learn more