The 20 Best Jobs in Canada and How to Get Into Them

Are you planning to change the course of your life? Do you want to find a job with a higher income? Are you looking for statistics about the best jobs in Canada and how to get them? Well, you have come to the right place.

In this blog, we will talk about the 20 best jobs in Canada, average salaries, and job requirements. If you don’t have a degree or job experience, we have got you covered as well. Let’s go.

Best 20 Jobs Based on Average Salaries

When it comes to jobs, you’re not going to get rich overnight, but a higher salary can make a big difference when it comes to your quality of life. The average yearly income for top-paying jobs is $75,110. Based on our research and interviews with career experts, we found that these are some of the best jobs in Canada for earning high salaries: 

1. Dentist (General): Average annual salary of $197,500 
2. Lawyer (Tax Law): $100,000 – $175,000
3. Dentist: Average annual salary of $126,750
4. Police Officer (Detective): Average annual salary of $122,668
5. Chartered Accountant: Average annual salary of $104,000 
6. Information Systems Manager: Average annual salary of $103,159 
7. Pharmacist: Average annual salary of $92,022
8. Nurse Practitioner: Average annual salary of $91,659 
9. Software Engineer: Average annual salary of $82,885
10. Massage Therapist: Average annual salary of $78,600
11. Civil Engineer: Average annual salary of $77,500
12. Medical Laboratory Technologist: Average annual salary of $76,942 
13. Computer Systems Analyst: Average annual salary of $74,780 
14. Audiologist: Average annual salary of $73,309 
15. Marketing Manager: Average annual salary of $72,453 
16. Nurse: Average annual salary of $71,877 
17. Statistician: Average annual salary of $71,019 
18. Financial Planner: Average annual salary of $63,375
19. Computer Programmer: Average annual salary of $59,766 
20. Paralegal Assistant/Legal Assistant: Average annual salary of $46,179 

Based on our research and interviews with career experts, we found that these are some of the best jobs in Canada for earning high salaries. Read the rest of the article to see how to get into each job, as well as tips on how to get into them.

Top 20 Paying Entry-Level Jobs

Starting from entry-level jobs will allow you to make some money while you get a better job. Moreover, you want to get into a position where you can learn as much as possible. You want a job that will provide an opportunity for you to gain valuable experience, build your skillset, grow your network and make money at a good rate. The most important thing when looking for a job: make sure it pays well enough that you can save up for your next move.  Average salaries vary greatly depending on what province you live in, but here are some consistent trends across all of Canada. 

1. Sales Representative (university degree or college diploma) – $45,610 – $65,575
2. Engineering Technician (two- or three-year college program) – $42,720 – $63,280
3. Sales and Service Representative (university degree or college diploma/Clerical or sales experience) – $41,890 – $62,290
4. Computer Systems Analyst (3 year degree+1 year experience)- $40,440 – $60,500
5. Legal Assistant (college-level legal assistant program one or two years/3 years experience) – $39,320- $58,810
6. Marketing Coordinator (marketing or a business-related program/3 years experience – $38,750- 59,590
7. Financial Analyst (bachelor’s degree in commerce, business administration, or economics/1 year experience) – $37,320-$58,200
8. Computer Programmer (bachelor’s degree in computer science/2 years experience – $36,580-$57,630
9. Human Resources Manager (3 year degree+3 year experience) – $36,120-$56,300
10. Mechanical Engineer (bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering) – $35.000-$55.000
11. Industrial Designer (university degree in industrial design, architecture, engineering, or A college diploma in industrial design) – $34,980-$54,730
12. Sales Manager (bachelor’s degree/2 years experience) – $34,970-$54,680
13. Computer Network Technician (Completion of a college or other program in computer science) – $33,700-$52,390
14. Medical Laboratory Technologist/Medical Technologist (foundation degree or higher national diploma or degree course in biology, chemistry, physics, and forensic science )- $33,200-$51,700
15. Software Developer (software development degree/4 years experience) – $32,800-$50,900
16. Marketing Manager (bachelor’s degree) – $32,680-$50,780
17. Financial Planner (bachelor’s degree/3 year’s experience)- $31.350-$49.330
18. Software Quality Assurance Engineer (bachelor’s degree in a related discipline) – $30.000-$47.500
19. Wholesale Trade Sales Representative (bachelor’s degree/2 years’ experience) – $29.670- 47.170
20. Web Designer (3 years degree/2 years experience) –$28.900-46,300

Entry-level jobs with good growth potential: If you’re looking for a career that offers a chance for upward mobility, it’s worth considering jobs that are expected to see rapid growth over the next decade.

Most Wanted College Grad Jobs

Looking for college grad jobs? Starting salaries can vary widely from profession to profession. Here are some of Canada’s top college grad jobs, along with their average starting salaries. 

1. Dentist (DDS): $142,082 
2. Petroleum Engineer (4 year degree+1 year experience): $108,404
3. Industrial Designer (complete a degree in design, engineering or industrial design at university): $107,443
4. Pharmacist (PharmD): $102,047
5. Computer Systems Analyst (3 year degree+1 year experience): $91,227
6. Actuary (4 yr. degree+1 year experience): $91,067
7. Nurse Practitioner (BScN): $86,340
8. Physician Assistant (3 year degree+1 year experience): $77,207 
9. Occupational Therapist (National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination): $76,801
10. Electrical Engineer : (bachelor’s degree) $76,184
11. Civil Engineer (bachelor’s degree): $72,640
12. Medical Laboratory Technologist (3 year degree+1 year experience): $71,524
13. Chemical Engineer : (bachelor’s degree): $70,395
14. Medical Radiation Technologist (two or three-year college program): $68,820
15. Software Developer (3 yr. Degree): $68,096 
16. Biomedical Engineer : (bachelor’s degree): $64,258
17. Financial Planner (4 year degree/2 years experience): 60,041
18. Computer Programmer (bachelor’s in computer): $59,766
19. Lawyer (Law Degree): $59,281 
20. Dentist Assistant : (one-year college or another program in dental assistance): $44,850

Top Federal Skilled Trade Jobs

In addition to engineering, several other skilled trade jobs made it into our top Canadian federal skilled trade jobs list. Want a job that requires problem-solving skills? Try your hand at automotive, aircraft, or marine mechanics. Job growth for these skilled trades is predicted by The Conference Board of Canada (TCB) to range from 4% to 10% from now until 2019. 

Consider becoming an electrician if you’re looking for something even more exciting—maybe because working on cars all day just doesn’t do it for you. TCB predicts the construction of facilities related to electric power generation and transmission to increase faster than all other construction through 2022.

Tough Jobs With High Pay

Getting a job in one of these fields may be tough, but in some cases can bring with it some very high salaries. Here are 10 top jobs in Canada that are hard to get, but pack a big punch when it comes to the pay:  

1. Petroleum Engineers – $110,570 The top-paying job on our list is also arguably one of the toughest to get. Only 5% of applicants pass their first try at certification for engineering programs offered by Canadian universities. 

2. Physiotherapists – $87,902 This is one of those jobs that come with high pay and a lot of demand—just over 1% of applicants pass their first try at certification for physiotherapy programs offered by Canadian universities. 

3. Dentists – $91,564 With only about 7% of applicants passing their first try at certification for dentistry programs offered by Canadian universities, getting into dentistry is hard work—but it pays off handsomely when you do make it through! 

4. Computer Systems Analysts – $80,210 Getting a job as a computer systems analyst means putting up with quite a bit of competition: There are almost three times as many applicants as there are jobs available each year. The good news is that those who do pass their certification exams can expect to earn an average salary of more than $80,000 per year! 

5. Electrical Engineers – $74,444 This field offers some very high salaries with less competition than other fields on our list: It’s one of those jobs where it seems like just about anyone who wants one can get one (which makes sense given that electrical engineers have an unemployment rate below 2%).

6. Logger The field of logging is one of those jobs that has always been on my list of top 10 tough jobs with high pay in Canada, but never seems to make it into my final list. While it’s not technically considered a job for a typical office worker, logging does require some serious toughness. This is probably why there are almost five times as many applicants as there are jobs available each year!

10 Easiest Jobs To Get Into

Some jobs are easier to get into than others, and you can do it while you keep your eye on your dream job. After a while, you might find that landing an interview is as easy as one-two-three.

Two industries consistently top lists of best entry-level jobs: retail and customer service positions. 

Retail sales associate: $20/hour 

Many businesses prefer applicants with previous experience in sales because they’re less likely to quit during busy periods like Christmas. 

Customer service representative: $18/hour 

Because many businesses offer flexible schedules and hiring incentives like employee discounts, starting out as a part-time employee can give you plenty of opportunities to prove yourself until full-time work becomes available.

Delivery Driver: $15/hour

Working for a delivery service offers you plenty of flexibility because you can set your own schedule, though some jobs require employees to work weekends.

Restaurant Server: $14/hour 

A lot of restaurants are looking for servers who can work on weekends, so you might have to work some shifts on Friday or Saturday nights. If you don’t mind that, it’s a great way to get your foot in the door.

Administrative Assistant: $17/hour

Many businesses prefer applicants with previous experience as an administrative assistant, but if you’re willing to work hard and prove yourself, you can land a job without any prior experience.

Cashier: $14/hour 

Almost every business requires a cashier to manage day-to-day cash. With so many opportunities, it is highly that you will get into one of these jobs for sure. 

Bartender: $20/hour 

People love to drink to celebrate and they have to drink in a crisis. In any situation, people are going to visit bars. With more bars opening all over Canada, you have the chance to be the next bartender at one of these bars. 

Receptionist: $15/hour 

When you enter an office, a smiling receptionist welcomes you. Thankfully, you don’t need prior experience with a university degree to get these jobs. However, you must be good at communication. 

Warehouse worker: $17/hour 

If you don’t have any experience and are good at moving things, you can work at a warehouse. Yes, it is a hardworking job. On the brighter side, you don’t need any degree or experience to start doing this job. 

Recruiter: $25/hour 

Finding the best candidates and helping companies fill job positions is your ultimate goal. From LinkedIn to Indeed, there are many sources to find good jobs and candidates. 

Hottest Tech Fields That Are Hiring

The tech industry is booming, with an overall unemployment rate of about 1.5 percent (compared to 7.3 percent for all fields). The field has experienced steady growth over recent years and these trends are projected to continue in the coming years.

1. Site reliability engineer (4 years degree): Average annual salary of $109,971
2. Network and computer systems administrators (4 years degree): Average annual salary of $98,344
3. IT security specialist (4 years degree): Average annual salary of $92,914
4. Network architects (3 years degree): Average annual salary of $91,568
5. Mobile developers (3 years program): Average annual salary of $87,750
6. Information security analysts (4 years degree): Average annual salary of $83,656
7. Cloud engineer (4 years degree): Average annual salary of $82,690
8. Data scientist (3-year degree): Average annual salary of $81,594
9. Business intelligence analyst (4 years degree): Average annual salary of $77,160
10. Database administrators (3 years degree): Average annual salary of $76,849
11. Computer systems analysts (4 years degree): Average annual salary of $76,794
12. Deep learning engineer (Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field): Average annual salary of $75,545
13. Software engineers (4 years degree): Average annual salary of $75,037
14. User experience (UX) designers (3 years program): Average annual salary of $73,437
15. Application analyst (4-year degree): Average annual salary of $70,883
16. Web developers (3 years degree): Average annual salary of $61,752
17. Computer programmers (3 years degree): Average annual salary of $59,766
18. Computer support specialists (2 years program or higher degree): Average annual salary of $55,045
19. Web designers (3 years program): Average annual salary of $54,077
20. Graphic designers (college diploma/2 years experience): Average annual salary of $48,301

Conclusion

While there’s no single list of best jobs in Canada, these jobs tend to score well across multiple indicators. And while they’re great options, they’re also just a starting point—your long-term career path may lead you in other directions. Good luck!