Lethbridge CMA Workforce Insights

May, 2026

Key Insights

  • Employment increased by 100 jobs from the previous month and increased by 300 jobs compared to the same month last year.
  • Full-time Employment decreased by 800 jobs from the previous month and decreased by 4,600 jobs year-over-year.
  • Part-time Employment increased by 900 jobs from the previous month and increased by 4,900 jobs year-over-year.
  • Unemployment decreased by 400 people from the previous month and decreased by 400 people compared to the same month last year.

Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 800 jobs from last month and decreased by 4,600 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 900 jobs from last month and increased by 4,900 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 400 people from the previous month and decreased by 400 people compared to last year.

Scroll down to explore the data

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 1 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate decreased by 0.5 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 1.3 percentage points year-over-year.

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 100 jobs from the previous month and increased by 300 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 100 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has increased by 300 jobs.

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Construction: 6,700 workers.
  • Manufacturing: 5,700 workers.
  • Agriculture: 3,800 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Agriculture, which together account for 100% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

  • Wholesale and retail trade: 15,900 workers.
  • Health care and social assistance: 9,200 workers.
  • Educational services: 7,800 workers.

In the Services sector, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Educational services lead employment, representing 59.9% of the sector's workforce.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Transportation and warehousing: Change of 1,700 workers (decreased by 100%).
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 1,600 workers (decreased by 9.14%).
  • Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 700 workers (increased by 17.07%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 500 workers (increased by 20%).
  • Public administration: Change of 500 workers (decreased by 18.52%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 5,000 workers (increased by 45.87%).
  • Information, culture and recreation: Change of 3,400 workers (increased by Inf%).
  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 3,300 workers (decreased by 60%).
  • Transportation and warehousing: Change of 3,200 workers (decreased by 100%).
  • Health care and social assistance: Change of 3,200 workers (decreased by 25.81%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Conclusion

The overall employment trend is positive, with strong growth in the past year. Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance.

Monthly Regional Workforce Trends

May, 2026

Updated monthly, these workforce trends focus on changes in total employment, employment by industry, and employment unemployment rates at the Economic Region level.

Scroll down to explore the data

Census metropolitan area

Workforce Composition by Status

In the most recent month, Full-time Employment decreased by 800 jobs from last month and decreased by 4,600 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Part-time Employment increased by 900 jobs from last month and increased by 4,900 jobs year-over-year.

The number of Unemployed individuals decreased by 400 people from the previous month and decreased by 400 people compared to last year.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Census metropolitan area

Employment, Unemployment, and Participation Rate

The Employment Rate decreased by 1 percentage points from a year ago.

The Unemployment Rate decreased by 0.5 percentage points from a year ago.

The Participation Rate decreased by 1.3 percentage points year-over-year.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Census metropolitan area

Jobs Added or Lost by Month

Employment levels increased by 100 jobs from the previous month and increased by 300 jobs compared to the same month last year.

In the most recent month, employment increased by 100 jobs. Over the last year, the labor market has increased by 300 jobs.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Census metropolitan area

Top 3 Industries in Goods Sector

  • Construction: 6,700 workers.
  • Manufacturing: 5,700 workers.
  • Agriculture: 3,800 workers.

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Agriculture, which together account for 100% of the sector's workforce.

Top 3 Industries in Services Sector

  • Wholesale and retail trade: 15,900 workers.
  • Health care and social assistance: 9,200 workers.
  • Educational services: 7,800 workers.

In the Services sector, Wholesale and retail trade, Health care and social assistance, Educational services lead employment, representing 59.9% of the sector's workforce.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Census metropolitan area

Top 5 Industries by Change from Previous Month

  • Transportation and warehousing: Change of 1,700 workers (decreased by 100%).
  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 1,600 workers (decreased by 9.14%).
  • Professional, scientific and technical services: Change of 700 workers (increased by 17.07%).
  • Business, building and other support services: Change of 500 workers (increased by 20%).
  • Public administration: Change of 500 workers (decreased by 18.52%).

These industries saw the largest month-over-month changes, indicating short-term trends.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Census metropolitan area

Top 5 Industries by Change from Same Month Last Year

  • Wholesale and retail trade: Change of 5,000 workers (increased by 45.87%).
  • Information, culture and recreation: Change of 3,400 workers (increased by Inf%).
  • Accommodation and food services: Change of 3,300 workers (decreased by 60%).
  • Transportation and warehousing: Change of 3,200 workers (decreased by 100%).
  • Health care and social assistance: Change of 3,200 workers (decreased by 25.81%).

The year-over-year changes provide insights into longer-term shifts, highlighting industries that have grown or declined significantly.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026
Census metropolitan area

Conclusion

The overall employment trend is positive, with strong growth in the past year. Key industries driving the trend are: Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale and retail trade, Educational services, Health care and social assistance.

Data source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey May, 2026

Lethbridge Companies Employing 100 or More People

Number of Major Employers

Major Employers Total Staff

Total Staff by Business Activity

Data source: Economic Development Lethbridge, May 2026.
Data source: City of Lethbridge

Notes

  • Includes all employees serving in a paid capacity (full-time, part-time, and casual) and working in the Lethbridge Census Metropolitan Area (CMA).
  • We are aware that other local businesses have over 100 employees but are only sharing the information of those who participated in our survey and are comfortable sharing their information.

Sources

  • Economic Development Lethbridge, May 2026.

University of Lethbridge Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates

Total Graduates

Recent Graduates

University of Lethbridge Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates

Notes

    Sources

    • University of Lethbridge, Department of Institutional Analysis, August 2021

    Lethbridge College Program Band Completions

    Total Number of College Graduates

    Main Program by Number of Graduates

    Lethbridge College Program Band Completions

    Data source: Lethbridge College, Institutional Planning & Reporting, September 2022

    Notes

      Sources

      • Lethbridge College, Institutional Planning & Reporting, September 2022

      Recruitment and Retention

      Remote Work as Incentive

      Anticipated to work remotely

      Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans

      Recruitment, Retention and Training Plans

      Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

      Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

      Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (geography)

      Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

      Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

      Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization size)

      Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

      Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

      Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work (organization type)

      Percentage of organizations planning to offer remote work as for recruitment, retention and training over the next 12 months

      Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

      Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by business size

      Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

      Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

      Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by organization type

      Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

      Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

      Current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training - by geography

      Organization's current or planned tasks regarding recruitment, retention and training in the next 12 months (Q1 2023)

      Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

      Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months

      Anticipated Work Arrangement in the Next Three Months

      Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

      Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

      Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (geography)

      Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

      Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

      Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization size)

      Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

      Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

      Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely (organization type)

      Percentage of workers anticipated to only work remotely over the next three months

      Data source: Statistics Canada - Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

      Anticipated work arrangement - by business size

      Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

      Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

      Anticipated work arrangement - by organization type

      Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

      Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions

      Anticipated work arrangement - by geography

      Percentage of workforce anticipated to work on-site or remotely over the next three months, Q1 2023

      Data source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Business Conditions