Alberta’s labour market moved in a different direction from much of Canada in July.

New Statistics Canada data released on September 24 show the province had an estimated 73,100 job vacancies in July 2026.

That was an increase of 7,700 positions from June and the highest level recorded in Alberta since September 2024.

The increase does not mean every industry is suddenly hiring aggressively, but it does make Alberta stand out in a Canadian labour market where the overall number of vacancies has been relatively stable for months.

Alberta job vacancies increased 12% from a year earlier

According to Statistics Canada’s July 2026 payroll employment and job vacancy report, Alberta job vacancies increased by 7,900 positions, or 12.0%, compared with July 2025.

The monthly increase was even more noticeable.

Vacancies rose by 7,700 from June to reach 73,100.

Statistics Canada says that brought Alberta to its highest job-vacancy level since September 2024.

At the same time, Ontario’s vacancies fell by 10,700 to 170,800 and Quebec’s declined by 8,000 to 109,200.

That comparison illustrates why national employment headlines do not always describe the situation in Alberta.

There were 2.8 unemployed people for every Alberta vacancy

Another useful indicator is the unemployment-to-job-vacancy ratio.

In Alberta, there were 2.8 unemployed people for every vacant position in July.

That ratio was down by 0.6 from a year earlier.

A lower ratio generally means fewer unemployed workers are competing for each available vacancy, although the number does not show whether applicants have the skills, location or experience employers are looking for.

It also should not be interpreted as meaning a job seeker has a one-in-2.8 chance of being hired.

Vacancies and unemployed workers can be concentrated in completely different industries or cities.

Canada had 501,000 vacancies overall

Nationally, Statistics Canada estimated 501,000 job vacancies in July.

That number was little changed for a seventh consecutive month.

The national job vacancy rate was 2.8%, also little changed from both June 2026 and July 2025.

Across Canada there were 2.9 unemployed people for every job vacancy.

So while the Canadian labour market was relatively steady at the national level, Alberta experienced a noticeable monthly increase in open positions.

Which industries had the strongest vacancy growth?

The national industry data show that some sectors were creating more vacancies than others.

Year over year, vacancies increased in accommodation and food services, manufacturing, administrative and support services, and mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction.

Accommodation and food services vacancies increased 13.5% nationally from a year earlier.

Manufacturing vacancies increased 22.1%.

Vacancies in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction increased 46.6% from a year earlier.

These are Canadian industry totals rather than Alberta-only figures, so they should not be treated as a direct breakdown of Alberta’s 73,100 vacancies.

But several of those sectors are especially relevant to Alberta’s economy.

Oil and gas hiring remains part of the picture

Energy continues to be an important part of Alberta’s labour market.

Recent investment and production activity can create employment not only directly at oil and gas companies but also in construction, engineering, transportation, maintenance and other supporting industries.

Maple Curiosity’s Christina Lake oil sands infrastructure article recently looked at one example of continued infrastructure development within previously approved production capacity.

Natural gas and LNG activity create another layer of demand. Maple Curiosity’s Alberta Natural Gas & LNG in 2026 guide explains how new export capacity is changing the wider Western Canadian energy market.

Alberta average weekly earnings reached $1,399.61

Statistics Canada’s payroll data also provide an updated measure of earnings.

Average weekly earnings in Alberta were $1,399.61 in July 2026.

That was 2.5% higher than a year earlier.

For Canada overall, average weekly earnings were $1,347.14, up 3.2% year over year.

These figures include overtime and represent gross taxable payroll before source deductions.

They are averages across workers and industries, so they do not mean a newly hired worker should expect to earn $1,399.61 per week.

Average earnings can change because wages change, but also because of changes in hours worked or the mix of workers and industries in the labour market.

Higher average pay does not necessarily mean greater purchasing power

A worker’s financial situation depends on more than the amount appearing on a paycheque.

Housing, transportation, groceries, insurance and taxes determine how much income remains available after essential costs.

This is particularly relevant in Alberta, where rapid population growth can increase both economic activity and demand for housing and services.

Maple Curiosity’s Alberta Cost of Living 2026 guide looks at those household expenses together.

Restaurants and hospitality continue to show high vacancy rates

Across Canada, accommodation and food services had the highest job vacancy rate among major sectors in July at 4.6%.

Payroll employment in the sector also increased by 3,600 positions during the month.

The increase included full-service and limited-service restaurants as well as special food services such as catering and food-service contractors.

For job seekers with restaurant or hospitality experience, that makes the sector worth watching, although provincial and local availability can differ significantly from the national total.

Construction vacancies fell nationally

Not every sector moved higher.

Construction job vacancies declined by 4,000 nationally in July, a decrease of 10.4% from June.

This came after a sizeable increase in May.

That movement is a reminder that one month of vacancy data can be volatile.

It is better to look at several months and combine job vacancy statistics with local construction activity rather than assuming a single decline represents a long-term downturn.

Alberta is still building more housing

Recent housing data provide useful context.

Maple Curiosity’s Canada Housing Starts August 2026 analysis showed Alberta’s six-month housing-start trend increasing while the national trend declined.

Calgary and Edmonton both recorded increases.

Housing construction and labour demand are not identical measures, but stronger population and construction growth can create employment demand across a range of occupations.

What does 73,100 vacancies actually mean for someone looking for work?

The number is useful as a measure of employer demand, but it should not replace a targeted job search.

A vacancy in Fort McMurray does not help someone who can only work in Edmonton.

A position requiring a Red Seal trade qualification is also not interchangeable with a restaurant, healthcare or administrative job.

The more useful approach is to use provincial vacancy data to understand the broader labour market and then narrow the search by city, occupation and required certification.

For people entering skilled trades, Maple Curiosity’s Canada Skilled Trades Supports guide explains the new federal Red Seal and apprenticeship measures announced in September.

The next labour-market update comes in October

Statistics Canada says August payroll employment and job vacancy data are scheduled for release on October 29, 2026.

That report will help show whether Alberta’s July increase was the beginning of a sustained rise in employer demand or a shorter-term monthly movement.

For now, the newest data show a clear provincial difference: Canada’s total vacancies remain relatively stable, while Alberta reached its highest vacancy level in nearly two years.