Everyone knows that Canada is booming with job opportunities. However, have you wondered why? Employers in Canada are facing a severe skill shortage. If you develop the perfect skill set for a job, the employer may even increase the salary to a great extent. Sounds appealing?
Keep reading.
How is this information beneficial for international students? International students tend to face difficulties carving out a space for themselves in an already saturated job market. Although Canada is one of the booming job markets of the world, developing the right skill set is crucial.
You can achieve this by opting for the perfect course during your higher studies. This will prepare you and give you an edge in the cut-throat competition for the highest-paying jobs.
For instance, one of the highest-paying sectors in Canada is the IT sector. A Cloud Architect earns approximately $121,500 USD per year, an IT project manager earns approximately $91,300 USD per year. The lack of a proper certification for your job can cost you a 22% decrease in your salary.
The same can be confirmed from the findings that 96% of HR managers use certifications as a screening criterion to filter candidates during the hiring process.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Canada? What courses help international students obtain these jobs as professionals?
A job that pays you upwards of $200,000 per year may sound like a dream right now. However, if you streamline your higher education correctly with your choice of career, you can live the dream in Canada.
Here is a sector-wise categorization of jobs that pay extremely well in Canada. The list also explains the sector each job functions within, and the courses an international student must opt for to obtain the job.
1. Medical Sector
The medical sector in Canada offers some of the highest-paying jobs in the world. The biggest perk of being in the medical sector is that employment becomes a guarantee. The average salary of a doctor in Canada is $312, 231 per year. Although that is an impressive number, with the right specialization during your higher studies, you can make thrice that amount.
Here are only a few of the highest-paid medical professions in Canada:
A) Surgeons and Physicians
Surgeons and Physicians earn almost $300,000 per year. This is the highest-paying job in the medical sector. Medical specialities such as neurosurgery, cardiology, anaesthesia, etc. tend to earn more than the sector average.
B) Dentists
You’ll be surprised to know that Dentists are one of the highest-paid professionals in Canada. A dentist makes an average salary of $176, 763 per year. Upon certain specializations, this number can easily rise up to $200,000 per year.
C) Pharmacists
It may surprise you but Pharmacists earn one of the highest salaries in the medical sector, as well as the country. The average salary of a pharmacist in Canada is $101,620 per year.
Relevant Courses To Specialize In The Medical Sector In Canada
| Course | University | Fee For The Course |
| Master of Science in Medical Genetics | The University of British Columbia | $10,000 to $15,000 |
| Master of Health Science in Medical Genomics | University of Toronto | $35,000 to $40,000 |
| BSc Honors in Pharmacology | University of Toronto | $55,000 to $65,000 |
| BSc in Chemistry for Medical Sciences | University of Victoria | $25,000 to $30,000 |
| Bachelor of Science Honors in Medical and Biological Physics | McMaster University | $38,000 to $42,000 |
Following is a list of the universities that offer the best medical courses in Canada.
| University of Toronto | The University of British Columbia |
| McGill University | University of Victoria |
| University of Alberta | University of Montreal |
2. IT Sector
The IT Sector in Canada has been deemed its fastest-growing industry. In 2018, more IT jobs were created in Toronto than in the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington D.C., and Seattle combined. The most demanded skills in this sector are programming and software development.
The highest paying IT sector jobs are:
A) Data Scientists
Data Scientists are essential to the Canadian IT sector, or any IT sector in the world. They are entrusted with the role of identifying analytical problems and providing solutions. Naturally, they earn large sums for the job. On average, a data scientist earns $132,698 in Canada.
B) DevOps Architect
A DevOps architect handles the design and implementation of an enterprise’s applications. They also manage the infrastructure, development, and deployment of a product. On average, a DevOps architect earns an impressive salary of $120,000 to $130,000.
C) Technical Program Manager
This job is one of the highest-paid jobs in not only the IT Sector, but in the entire country. A Tech program Manager earns upwards of $141,420. The position is highly valued in the industry and requires an impressive educational background as well as significant work experience.
Relevant Courses To Specialize In The IT Sector In Canada
| Course | University | Fee For The Course |
| MSc in Computer Science | University of British Columbia | $90,000 to $100,000 |
| MSc in the Computer Science | University of Toronto | $50,000 to $55,000 |
| MSc in Computer Science | McGill University | $19,000 to $25,000 |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Science | University of Toronto | $28,000 to $33,000` |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Science | University of British Columbia | $48,000 to $53,000 |
Following is a list of the universities that offer the best IT courses in Canada.
| University of British Columbia | McGill University |
| University of Montreal | University of Toronto |
| University of Albert |
3. Business Management Sector
Business Management and Administration degrees, as well as Business Management professionals, have immensely high demand in Canada. A growing economy can only prosper with good management. Regardless of the industry, its management can make or break its growth.
The highest paying jobs in the Business Management Sector are:
A) Company Chief Executive Officer
A Chief Executive Officer in a company has the single most important job profile. Canada’s highest-paying CEO makes over $80 million per year. Although that number may seem unachievable, with the right set of degrees and work experience, you can make upwards of $300,000 per year.
B) Company Chief Financial Officer
A Chief Financial Officer is the highest financial job profile in a company. Although the salary depends directly on the size and scale of the company, you can derive an estimate from the sales of the company. For instance, a company with sales over $250 million a year can compensate the CFO with over $312,000 per year,
C) Company Vice President
Yet again, with most management jobs, the salary differs based on the size of a company. However, a Company Vice President remains one of the highest-paid job profiles of a company. The average salary of a Company Vice President ranges from $250,000 to $300,000 per year.
Relevant Courses to Specialize in the Management Sector
| Courses | University | Fee For The Course |
| Diploma Professional Practice in Finance | McGill University | $23,000 to $28,000 |
| Bachelor of Business Administration | University of Toronto | $68,000 to $72,000 |
| Bachelor of Management in Business Economics | University of Alberta | $35,000 to $40,000 |
| Advanced Diploma in Business Administration | Humber College | $28,000 to $32,000 |
| Bachelor of International Economics | The University of British Columbia | $38,000 to $40,000 |
Following is a list of the universities that offer the best management courses in Canada:
| University of Toronto | University of Alberta |
| McMaster University | University of British Columbia |
| University of Montreal | McGill University |
4. Finance Sector
The Finance Sector in Canada is unlike any other across the world. With the consistent increase in job openings and industry growth across the country, businesses are in dire need of finance professionals. Along with high salaries, finance professionals are some of the most reputed persons in a Company as the profession requires immense skill and intellect.
A) Entrepreneurial Professional Accountants
Canada is booming with a remarkable number of start-ups. In the early stages, every business needs financial guidance from professionals. An Entrepreneurial accountant helps with incorporation filings, business licenses, expense tracking, financial planning, etc.
Entrepreneurial Accountants earn a whopping $300,000 on average.
B) Overseas Accountants
Accountants with professional designations in Canada are often sent overseas for work. Naturally, this shift results in an increase in salary compared to an accountant working within the country. For instance, a Canadian accountant working in Hong Kong receives $360,000 per year.
C) Professional Accountant
A professional accountant working in a conglomerate in Canada earns anywhere between $145,000 to $260,000 per year. The number differs based on the location of the company.
Relevant Courses to Specialize in the Management Sector
| Courses | University | Fee For The Course |
| Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting | McGill University | $20,000 to $25,000 |
| Master of Accounting and Finance | University of Toronto | $50,000 to $55,000 |
| Master of Taxation | University of Waterloo | $85,000 to $90,000 |
| Bachelor of Commerce and Accounting | Humber College | $30,000 to $35,000 |
| Bachelor of Commerce and Accounting | University of British Columbia | $60,000 to $65,000 |
Following is a list of the universities that offer the best Finance courses in Canada:
| LaSalle College | Algonquin College |
| Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning | Lambton College |
| George Brown College | Conestoga College |
How Can International Students Find The Highest Paying Jobs In Canada?
For international students, it is essential to understand that the country is not facing a personnel shortage, but rather a skill shortage. Hence, International students must, over the course of their academic journey, develop the right skill sets.
IT, Healthcare, Management, Finance, Psychology, etc, are some of the highest-paying job sectors in Canada. However, choosing the perfect degree does not guarantee a job for you. It would help if you also did the following:
- Research the top companies that offer opportunities to international students:
Here are some of the highest paying companies that frequently recruit International Students:
| Microsoft | Earnst and Young | KPMG | |
| Cisco Systems | Deloitte | RBC Banks | Siemens |
| Canada Goose | Health Canada | FedEx | Nike |
| Sephora | McCain Foods | Intel | Marriot Hotels |
- Next, actively look for portals, networks, and headhunters that will link you with high-paying companies in the beginning of your journey,
Here are some of the best options for International Students:
a) Job Banks: Job Banks provide free information regarding job openings, salaries, academic requirements, etc. Almost 2000 international students obtain well-paying jobs through job banks in Canada. Job Banks help you filter your search by category and city.
Get started here.
b) University Career Offices: One of the most underrated sources for job opportunities is your University’s career office. Universities usually have partnerships with employment firms and companies that can link scholar students to relevant organizations. It is important to build a rapport with your career office early on during your degree. Such a move can guarantee a good campus placement for International Students.
c) Job Fairs: Universities across Canada frequently organize job fairs and career events to familiarize students with potential employers. International students should make the most of such opportunities as this can help with networking and allow them to build personal relationships with employers.
d) Internships: Internships are a great source of learning important skills while simultaneously finishing your education. Universities offer internship programs to students. You can also apply independently to firms you wish to work with. It is essential to build and customize your CV before applying to a firm.
e) Newspapers: Although newspapers are not the primary source of information due to the advent of technology, you can easily find classified information regarding job openings in newspapers. The information in newspapers can be trusted blindly and is one of the most reliable sources to learn about new jobs every day.
- From the very beginning of your academic career, focus on building your resume by adding relevant skills for the job you wish to obtain in the future. Such a resume will make you stand out from the other students.
The process may seem intimidating. However, if you choose the right degree, stay committed to your skill-building journey throughout, and constantly look for the best opportunity, you can be one of the highest-paid professionals in the country.
