Job prospects First Cook in British Columbia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "first cook" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be limited for Cooks (NOC 63200) in British Columbia for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
• High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

The accommodation and food and sector has a high rate of employee turnover relative to other sectors.

Recruiting and retaining employees at all levels is a challenge for food service employers.

Restaurants Canada third quarter report showed that the guest count in restaurants in B.C. was almost 70% lower in summer of 2024 compared to the summer of 2023. The association cites the high cost of food and labour as some of the main challenges currently facing the sector.

Employment opportunities are influenced by consumer spending levels and the strength of the economy.  Discretionary spending is expected increase in mid-2025. Lower interest rates will bring some relief to B.C. households, which are typically heavy in debt. 

Here are some key facts about Cooks in British Columbia:

• Approximately 27,400 people work in this occupation.
• Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 76%
  • Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 6%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 64% compared to 78% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 36% compared to 22% for all occupations
• 36% of cooks work all year, while 64% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% 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 17% 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: 21% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 41% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 12% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 13% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 10% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in British Columbia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "first cook" Cooks (NOC 63200) or across Canada.

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