Job prospects Cook in Nova Scotia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "cook" in Nova Scotia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Nova Scotia

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be very good for Cooks (NOC 63200) in Nova Scotia for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.
• Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities tend to be more favourable during the summer months.

A severe shortage of cooks that emerged in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic containment measures continues to affect the food services industry throughout the province. The large number of unfilled positions may represent favourable hiring conditions for jobseekers in this occupation.

While experience is an asset, the limited supply of cooks has driven employers to accept applicants with little-to-no experience in this field. Jobseekers may also find a wide range of wages being offered for cook positions, as some employers compete for a limited number of candidates. Some recruitment in this occupation occurs through personal networks, so jobseekers may benefit from enquiring with employers directly about opportunities in some cases.

Here are some key facts about Cooks in Nova Scotia:

• Approximately 6,100 people work in this occupation.
• Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 70%
  • Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 10%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 72% compared to 82% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 28% compared to 18% for all occupations
• 36% of cooks work all year, while 64% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 36 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of cooks are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 59% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: 41% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 17% compared to 10% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 37% compared to 27% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 14% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 21% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 8% compared to 20% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Nova Scotia 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 "cook" Cooks (NOC 63200) or across Canada.

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