Alberta, May 2026 - Job market snapshot

Get a snapshot of key facts about the state of Alberta's labour market in the past month.

Employment in Alberta grew by 0.5% (+13,900) over the month of May, as gains in full-time employment (+25,700) offset losses in part-time employment (-11,800). Compared to May 2025, overall employment increased 4.1%, adding 104,400 workers. Over the month of May 2026, Alberta’s unemployment rate decreased 0.4 of a percentage point to 6.6%, on par with the national average of 6.6%.

Alberta's job market by the numbers

Working population

2,670,500

Up 0.5% since April

Unemployment rate

6.6%

Down -0.4 pts since April

Source: Statistics Canada - Table 14-10-0287-01 - Labour force characteristics, monthly, seasonally adjusted and trend-cycle, last 5 months

Industries in focus

Construction

Number of jobs increased 3.9%

April252,400

May262,200

Employment in the construction sector grew by 3.9% (+9,800) for the month of May, while remaining 3.1% lower (-8,500) compared to one year ago. Canadian National, Keyera Corp., and AltaGas have partnered together to move forward with the Alberta Corridor Export Rail Terminal Project in Fort Saskatchewan. Construction on the $240 million rail terminal has already begun and is expected to be complete by 2028. Upon completion, about 45,000 barrels per day of propane and butane will be transported from Alberta to export terminals in B.C.

Wholesale and retail trade

Number of jobs decreased -2.3%

April376,400

May367,900

Employment in the wholesale and retail sector declined by 2.3% (-8,500) over the month of May while rising 1.5% compared to one year ago. This May, Warehouse One Clothing Ltd. announced it would permanently close all 128 stores across Canada, including their stores in Alberta. The company cited increased online competition and operational challenges as factors behind their closure.

Information, culture and recreation

Number of jobs increased 5.6%

April94,100

May99,400

Employment in the information, culture and recreation sector increased by 5.6% (+5,300) over the month of May and was up 4.3% (+4,100) compared to May 2025. Telus announced in May that it would invest more than $14 billion over the next five years to further improve and grow their network infrastructure and operations in Alberta.

Source: Statistics Canada - Table 14-10-0355-02 - Employment by industry, monthly, seasonally adjusted (x 1,000)

Unemployment rate by region

Banff–Jasper–Rocky Mountain House and Athabasca–Grande Prairie–Peace River
4.9%
Calgary
7.2%
Camrose–Drumheller
7.2%
Edmonton
7.4%
Lethbridge–Medicine Hat
7.6%
Red Deer
6.7%
Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake
8.0%

The unemployment rate was lowest in Banff–Jasper–Rocky Mountain House and Athabasca–Grande Prairie–Peace River and highest in Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake.

Source: Labour Market Indicators: By province, territory and economic region, unadjusted for seasonality

A closer look at some regions

Camrose–Drumheller

100,000 people employed

Down -9.6% since May 2025

Compared to a year ago, employment within the region has declined by 9.6% (-10,600) and the region’s unemployment rate increased by 0.9 of a percentage point to 7.2%. On May 15, 2026, De Havilland Canada held a groundbreaking ceremony to launch construction of its 1,500-acre aircraft manufacturing hub near Strathmore. The facility is expected to create an estimated 3,000 jobs once complete. What else is happening in this region?

Calgary

1,108,800 people employed

Up 7.2% since May 2025

From May 2025 to May 2026, employment within the Calgary economic region increased by 7.2% (+74,800). Over the same period, the region’s unemployment rate decreased 0.9 of a percentage point to 7.2%. The Government of Canada announced a joint investment of over $60 million with the Government of Alberta and the City of Calgary to build 176 rental homes in Calgary. The project will include a mix of housing types, from studios to three-bedroom homes. Upon completion, the homes will be owned and operated by Calgary Housing. What else is happening in this region?

Edmonton

906,600 people employed

Up 4.4% since May 2025

Compared to May 2025, employment in the Edmonton economic region grew by 4.4% (+37,800) and the region’s unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage points to 7.4%. In May, the Pembina Pipeline Corporation announced it would proceed with construction of its $570 million Heartland Extraction Plant near Edmonton. The plant is expected to begin operations in 2029. What else is happening in this region?

Last data refresh: 2026-06-11

Page details

Date modified: