Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo Employment Trends
The unemployment rate in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo was 8.3% as of January 2026, unchanged from the previous month. The unemployment rate stood 4.8% below the peak in July 2020 but remains above the long-run average.
There were 3,400 more full-time jobs in January 2026 compared to a month earlier. Combined with a loss of 800 part-time positions, this led to an increase of 2,600 total jobs in January.
Full-time employment has recovered since reaching a bottom in August 2025 and now stands at a record high.
* All figures are seasonally adjusted, 3-month moving averages. Seasonal adjustment removes normal seasonal fluctuations.
