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449 careers in Canada, grouped by field.

Health

101 careers

Doctors

25
Allergist and ImmunologistThe doctor for allergies, asthma, hives and immune system problems. About 13 years of training, then office hours and very few emergencies.$311kTypical pay12 to 14 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandAnesthesiologistThe doctor who puts you to sleep for surgery and keeps you alive through it. Five years of residency, and no clinic to run.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandCardiologistThe heart doctor. Six years of residency after medical school, among the longest paths in medicine.$311kTypical pay12 to 14 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandDermatologistThe skin, hair and nail doctor. Five years of residency, regular hours, and one of the hardest residencies in Canada to get into.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandEmergency PhysicianThe doctor on shift when anything walks, rolls or is carried through the door. Two ways in, and shifts instead of a clinic.$311kTypical pay9 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandEndocrinologistThe hormone doctor. Diabetes, thyroid and bone, mostly clinic hours, five years of residency after medical school.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandFamily DoctorAbout ten years of university and residency, then work that is needed in every province.$232kTypical pay9 to 11 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemandGastroenterologistThe gut doctor. Scopes, liver disease and Crohn's, and five years of residency after medical school.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandGeriatricianThe doctor for older adults. Memory, falls, frailty and too many pills, five years of residency after medical school, and more older patients every year.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandHematologistThe blood doctor. Leukemia, clots, anemia and transfusions, five years of residency after medical school, often a salaried job in a cancer centre.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandInfectious Disease DoctorThe germ detective. Antibiotics, outbreaks and the infections nobody else can name, five years of residency after medical school.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandInternal Medicine DoctorThe hospital doctor for adults with complicated problems, and the gateway to a dozen specialties. Four to five years of residency.$311kTypical pay10 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandNephrologistThe kidney doctor. Dialysis, transplants and blood pressure, five years of residency after medical school, and patients you follow for decades.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandNeurologistThe brain and nerve doctor who does not operate. Strokes, seizures, migraines, multiple sclerosis. Five years of residency and good job prospects.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandObstetrician-GynecologistDelivers babies and treats everything from fertility to cancer of the reproductive organs. Five years of residency, surgery, and babies at 3 a.m.$419kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandOncologistThe cancer doctor. Long training, mostly salaried jobs in cancer centres, and patients who will remember you for the rest of their lives.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandPalliative Care DoctorThe doctor for people with serious illness, focused on comfort, pain and time with family. One of the shorter specialist paths, and emotionally the hardest.$311kTypical pay9 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandPathologistThe doctor who looks at tissue under a microscope and says what the disease is. Every cancer diagnosis passes through one. Five years of residency, regular hours.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandPediatricianA doctor for babies, children and teens. Four years of residency after medical school, then a job that never runs short of patients.$311kTypical pay10 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandPsychiatristA medical doctor who diagnoses and treats mental illness, and can prescribe. Five years of residency, and good job prospects across Canada.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandRadiation OncologistThe cancer doctor who treats tumours with radiation beams. Five years of residency after medical school, a salaried job at a cancer centre, and physics every day.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandRadiologistThe doctor who reads X-rays, scans and ultrasounds and tells other doctors what is wrong. Five years of residency, and high pay.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandRespirologistThe lung doctor. Asthma, smokers' lungs, sleep apnea and the intensive care unit, five years of residency after medical school.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandRheumatologistThe joint and immune system doctor. Arthritis, lupus and gout, clinic hours, and one of the shortest-staffed specialties in Canada.$311kTypical pay11 to 13 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandSports Medicine DoctorThe team doctor. Injuries, concussions and getting athletes back on the field. Usually a family doctor with one extra year, not a surgeon.$311kTypical pay9 to 11 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemand

Surgeons

12
Cardiac SurgeonOperate on the heart: bypasses, valves, transplants. Six years of residency, very high pay, and one of the tightest job markets in Canadian medicine.$419kTypical pay13 to 16 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandEar, Nose and Throat SurgeonTonsils, sinuses, hearing, voice and head and neck cancer. Officially otolaryngology, one of the most varied surgical specialties.$419kTypical pay12 to 15 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandGeneral SurgeonOperate on the abdomen, breast, skin and trauma cases. 11 to 15 years of training for one of the broadest jobs in medicine.$419kTypical pay11 to 15 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandNeurosurgeonOperate on the brain, spine and nerves. The longest surgical training in Canada, and one of the smallest job markets.$419kTypical pay13 to 16 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandOphthalmologistThe eye surgeon. Cataracts, glaucoma, retina, lasers. One of the most competitive specialties in Canada, with better hours than most surgery.$419kTypical pay12 to 15 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandOral and Maxillofacial SurgeonThe dentist who became a surgeon: wisdom teeth, jaw surgery, facial fractures and implants. Dental school, then a 4 to 6 year hospital residency.$110kTypical pay10 to 14 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemandOrthopedic SurgeonFix bones and joints: fractures, hip and knee replacements, torn ligaments. New grads can struggle to find a hospital job.$419kTypical pay12 to 15 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandPediatric SurgeonThe surgeon for babies, children and teens, from newborns born with organs outside the body to appendicitis. General surgery first, then two more years. One of the smallest specialties in Canada.$419kTypical pay13 to 15 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandPlastic SurgeonRebuild what injury, cancer and birth defects take away, and reshape what patients pay to change. Far more reconstruction than Hollywood.$419kTypical pay12 to 15 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandThoracic SurgeonThe surgeon for the lungs, esophagus and chest wall, mostly cancer. General surgery first, then two or three more years. About 14 years of training.$419kTypical pay13 to 16 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandUrologistThe surgeon for kidneys, bladder, prostate and the male reproductive system. Five years of residency, a mix of clinic and operating room, and a lot of prostate cancer.$419kTypical pay11 to 15 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandVascular SurgeonThe surgeon for arteries and veins outside the heart and brain: aneurysms, blocked leg arteries, stroke-prevention neck surgery. Five years of direct-entry residency and some of the longest hours in medicine.$419kTypical pay11 to 15 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemand

Nursing and patient care

9
Medical Office AssistantThe person who runs the front desk of a clinic. Six months to a year of college, a job in every town, modest pay.$52kTypical pay1 yearTo qualifyGoodDemandMidwifeDeliver babies and care for families through pregnancy and the weeks after. On call around the clock, and paid well for it.$97kTypical pay4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandNurse PractitionerA nurse with a master's degree who can diagnose, order tests and prescribe. Two degrees, six figures, huge demand.$128kTypical pay8 to 9 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemandParamedicTwo years of college, then the front line of emergency medicine.$79kTypical pay2 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandPersonal Support WorkerUnder a year of training to a job with good prospects across Canada. Hard, human work, and the pay is modest.$50kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyGoodDemandPhysician AssistantA medically trained professional who works under a doctor: takes histories, examines, orders tests, prescribes and assists in surgery. A 2-year program after university, and one of the newest regulated jobs in Canada.$97kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPractical NurseTwo years of college to a nursing licence and a job in any town in Canada. Hands-on, in demand, cheaper than a degree.$65kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandRegistered NurseCare for patients in hospitals, clinics and homes. In demand everywhere in Canada.$90kTypical pay4 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemandRegistered Psychiatric NurseA nurse trained from day one in mental health and addictions. Same pay as a registered nurse, but only licensed in Western Canada.$90kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemand

Pharmacy

2
PharmacistSix-figure pay after six years. Retail, hospital or industry, and no residency required.$115kTypical pay6 to 7 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandPharmacy TechnicianFill and check prescriptions under a pharmacist. One to two years of college, a national exam, and a job in every town.$52kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemand

Dental and eye care

11
Dental AssistantThe dentist's second pair of hands. One year of college, a national exam, and a job in any town with a dental clinic.$56kTypical pay1 yearTo qualifyGoodDemandDental HygienistClean teeth, catch gum disease, coach patients. Good hourly pay after 2 to 3 years of college.$94kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandDental TechnologistMake the crowns, bridges, dentures and aligners a dentist prescribes, in a lab, never with a patient. Craft work that is going digital fast.$60kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandDentistFix teeth, run a clinic, earn well. Eight years of school and a lot of debt first.$110kTypical pay6 to 8 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemandDenturistMake and fit dentures, often in a clinic of your own. Three years of college and a licence in every province.$54kTypical pay3 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandEndodontistThe root canal specialist. A dentist who did 2 to 3 more years of residency to save teeth other dentists would pull. A long road, and no braces or cleanings.$110kTypical pay10 to 11 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemandOpticianFit and sell glasses and contact lenses from a prescription. Two years of college (three in Quebec), a licence in every province, and a job that is half health care, half retail.$59kTypical pay2 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandOptometristEye exams, glasses, contacts and eye disease. Regular hours, but only one English-language school in Canada.$81kTypical pay7 to 8 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemandOrthodontistA dentist who went back to school to straighten teeth. One of the longest roads in dentistry.$110kTypical pay9 to 11 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemandPediatric DentistA dentist for kids only, from first tooth to the teen years. Dental school plus 2 to 3 more years of residency, and a lot of patience.$110kTypical pay10 to 11 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemandPeriodontistThe gum and implant specialist. A dentist who did 3 more years of residency to treat gum disease and place implants. High pay, very long road.$110kTypical pay10 to 11 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemand

Mental health

8
Addictions CounsellorHelp people get out from under drugs, alcohol and gambling. A 2-year diploma gets you in; the work is heavy and the pay is middling.$71kTypical pay2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandBehaviour AnalystDesign and run behaviour programs, most often for autistic kids. A master's degree, supervised hours and an exam, then you lead a team of therapists.$71kTypical pay6 to 8 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandChild and Youth WorkerWork alongside kids and teens in group homes, schools and hospitals who have been through trauma. A college diploma, and the job starts on day one of placement.$54kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandDevelopmental Services WorkerSupport adults and kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work and belong. A 2-year diploma, and Fanshawe College says most of its grads find work within 6 months.$54kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMusic TherapistUse music to reach people who talk therapy cannot: dementia wards, autism programs, palliative care. A music degree, a 1,000-hour internship, and a lot of contract work.$71kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandPsychologistAssess, diagnose and treat mental health problems. A long road to a doctorate, then good pay and real independence.$110kTypical pay6 to 11 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandPsychotherapistTalk therapy as a career. A master's degree, supervised hours, then a caseload that is often mostly your own private clients.$71kTypical pay6 to 8 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandSocial WorkerHelp people through crisis, illness, poverty and family breakdown. Meaningful and emotionally heavy.$80kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Therapy and rehab

15
AcupuncturistA 3-year diploma, a national exam, and a practice you build one patient at a time. Most acupuncturists are self-employed and many work part time.$33kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandAudiologistTest hearing and balance, fit hearing aids, and help people hear again. A master's degree and only six schools in Canada.$96kTypical pay6 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandChiropractorTreat backs, necks and joints with your hands. A doctor's title and a private-practice income that starts slow and builds.$62kTypical pay7 to 8 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandDietitianThe regulated food and nutrition expert. A 4-year degree, a hard-to-get internship, then hospitals, clinics or your own practice.$87kTypical pay5 to 6 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandKinesiologistMovement, exercise and rehab science. A popular 4-year degree that opens doors, often to more school.$67kTypical pay4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMassage TherapistHands-on treatment of muscles and pain. Two years of college, mostly self-employed, and your body sets the limit.$33kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandNaturopathic DoctorEight years of school for a private-pay practice you build yourself. Regulated in most provinces, but not covered by medicare.$57kTypical pay7 to 8 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandOccupational TherapistHelp people do the everyday things illness or injury took away: dressing, driving, working, living at home.$96kTypical pay6 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandOrthotist and ProsthetistDesign, build and fit artificial limbs and braces. A degree, a rare 2-year diploma, then a 2-year paid residency. A tiny profession.$58kTypical pay8 to 9 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandPhysiotherapistGet people moving again after injury, surgery and illness. A tough master's to get into, then steady work everywhere.$96kTypical pay6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPodiatrist and ChiropodistFoot doctors. In Ontario most are chiropodists trained at one Toronto school; in the West and Quebec, podiatrists train for as long as physicians.$57kTypical pay7 to 11 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandRecreation TherapistUse games, sport, art and outings as treatment for people recovering from illness, injury or living with disability. A diploma or degree, mostly in hospitals and care homes.$67kTypical pay2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandRehabilitation AssistantRun the exercises and daily-living practice that physiotherapists and occupational therapists prescribe. A 2-year diploma, hands-on from day one.$56kTypical pay2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandRespiratory TherapistRun ventilators, manage airways and keep people breathing in intensive care. Three years of college, then shift work.$85kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandSpeech-Language PathologistHelp people speak, understand and swallow safely. A master's degree, then schools, hospitals or your own clinic.$96kTypical pay6 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Diagnostics and lab

13
Cardiology TechnologistRun the heart tests: ECGs (electrocardiograms), stress tests, Holter monitors and pacemaker checks. A 2-year diploma and a national exam.$71kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandClinical PerfusionistRun the heart-lung machine that keeps a patient alive during open-heart surgery. A science degree, a 2-year master's, and one of the smallest health professions in Canada.$85kTypical pay6 to 7 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandEpidemiologistTrack where disease comes from and how it spreads, using data instead of a stethoscope. A master's degree, then government or research work.$94kTypical pay6 to 7 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandGenetic CounsellorHelp families understand inherited disease, genetic tests and what the results mean. A science degree, a hard-to-get 2-year master's, and good or moderate job prospects.$97kTypical pay6 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandHealth Information ManagerTurn every hospital visit into accurate, private, usable data. A 2-year diploma (3 years in Quebec), a national exam, and a desk job in health care.$63kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMedical Laboratory AssistantDraw blood, label and prepare samples, keep the lab moving. About a year of college and you are working in a hospital.$56kTypical pay1 yearTo qualifyModerateDemandMedical Laboratory TechnologistRun the tests behind most diagnoses: blood, tissue, bacteria, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid, the genetic code). Two to three years of school and good job prospects.$81kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandMedical PhysicistThe physicist who makes sure the radiation machines in a cancer centre are safe and accurate. A PhD, a residency and a national exam. Long road, rare job, high pay.$117kTypical pay8 to 12 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandMedical Radiation TechnologistTake the X-rays and scans, or deliver radiation treatment for cancer. Two to three years of school and a national exam (Quebec has its own).$83kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandNuclear Medicine TechnologistInject a tiny radioactive tracer, then image how the body works, not just how it looks. A 2 to 4 year program and one national exam (Quebec has its own).$83kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandPublic Health InspectorInspect restaurants, pools, daycares and water systems so people do not get sick. A 4-year degree, a government job and a pension.$94kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandRadiation TherapistDeliver the daily radiation treatments that cure or control cancer. Three to four years of school, weekday hours, and the same patients for weeks at a time.$83kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandSonographerUltrasound scanning, from pregnancies to hearts. Good job prospects and good pay, but hard to get into and hard on the body.$87kTypical pay2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemand

Animal health

2
VeterinarianDoctor for animals. Eight years of school at one of five colleges, heavy debt, real emotional strain, and strong demand.$125kTypical pay6 to 8 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandVeterinary TechnicianThe nurse, anesthetist and lab tech of the animal clinic. Two years of college (three in Quebec), hands-on every day, and a Job Bank median of about $48,000 a year.$48kTypical pay2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Sport and fitness

4
Athletic TherapistThe person who runs onto the field when a player goes down, and rehabs them after. A 4-year degree and a national exam.$67kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandLifeguardWatch the water, prevent emergencies, and pull people out when prevention fails. Certified at 15, and paid by the hour from your first shift.$40kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyLimitedDemandPersonal TrainerCoach people one on one to get stronger and healthier. Quick to start, low pay at first, and you are really running a small business.$40kTypical payup to 2 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandSports CoachTeach and lead athletes, from a kids' soccer team to a national squad. Most coaches are part time; the few full-time jobs are hard to get.$52kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Skilled trades

85 careers

Construction

21
BricklayerLay brick, block and stone on new buildings and restore old ones. A 3-year paid apprenticeship.$83kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandBuilding InspectorCheck that new buildings follow the code before people move in. A trade or diploma, then a municipal job with a pension.$80kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandCabinetmakerBuild custom kitchens, cabinets and furniture in a shop. A 4-year paid apprenticeship, quieter and steadier than site work, with lower pay.$50kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandCarpenterFrame houses, form concrete towers or finish trim. The broadest trade on any site, paid from day one.$67kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandConcrete FinisherPlace, level and finish concrete floors, sidewalks and slabs. Early mornings, because concrete waits for no one.$71kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandConstruction EstimatorWork out what a building will cost before anyone pours concrete. A two-year diploma or a trade ticket, then an office job with site visits.$79kTypical pay2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandCrane OperatorLift steel, concrete and machinery on construction sites. A licensed trade with high pay and enormous responsibility.$89kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandDrywall InstallerHang, tape and finish the walls inside almost every building. Fast to enter, often paid by the sheet.$69kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandFloor Covering InstallerInstall hardwood, laminate, vinyl and carpet in homes and offices. A 3 to 4 year paid apprenticeship and a fast route to your own business.$54kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandGeneral ContractorRun the whole build: hire the trades, keep the schedule, carry the risk. Usually a trade first, then your own company.$101kTypical pay4 to 10 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandGlazierInstall the glass on towers, storefronts and homes, from a shower door to a 40-storey curtain wall.$63kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandHeavy Equipment OperatorRun excavators, dozers and graders that move earth for roads, pipelines and buildings. A short training path and a Job Bank median of about $68,000 a year, but seasonal.$68kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandHome InspectorCheck a house from roof to basement before someone buys it. Short training, mostly self-employed, licensed in BC (British Columbia) and Alberta, and in Quebec from 2027.$80kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandInsulatorWrap pipes, ducts, tanks and boilers so heat stays where it belongs. A 3 to 4 year paid apprenticeship, much of it through the union.$78kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandIronworkerBolt up the steel skeleton of towers and bridges, or tie the rebar inside concrete. Paid from day one, high risk, 2 to 4 years to certify.$89kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandPainter and DecoratorPaint, stain and coat the inside and outside of buildings. A 3-year paid apprenticeship, and outside Quebec no licence is needed to start.$58kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPlastererSmooth walls, ornate ceilings and exterior stucco. A three-year Red Seal apprenticeship with almost no tuition.$69kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandRooferShingle houses and seal flat commercial roofs. Quick to enter, hot and high.$64kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandScaffolderBuild the temporary steel structures every other trade stands on. Start as a labourer, learn on the job, no trade licence needed outside Quebec.$52kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandStonemasonCut, shape and set natural stone on walls, monuments and century-old buildings. A craft trade with a paid apprenticeship.$83kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandTile SetterLay ceramic, porcelain and stone tile on floors, walls and showers. A 3 to 4 year paid apprenticeship that rewards fast, precise hands.$72kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Electrical and energy

12
ElectricianWire homes, buildings and industry. Earn a paycheque from your first year of training.$73kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandElectronics Service TechnicianDiagnose and repair the circuit boards inside machines, medical gear and industrial equipment.$55kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandIndustrial ElectricianKeep the motors, robots and control systems of factories, mines and mills running. A Red Seal apprenticeship with indoor, year-round work.$87kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandInstrumentation TechnicianCalibrate and fix the sensors and controls that run refineries, plants and water treatment. The brains side of the trades.$96kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandPower EngineerRun the boilers, turbines and refrigeration plants that keep hospitals, refineries and cities working. Six figures with a two-year diploma.$102kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPower System ElectricianMaintain the generators, substations and protection systems behind the grid. A four-year utility apprenticeship, with a higher Job Bank median than construction or industrial electricians.$97kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPowerline TechnicianBuild and repair the high-voltage lines that carry electricity across Canada. Well paid, dangerous, outdoors in every storm.$96kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSecurity Systems TechnicianInstall and fix alarms, cameras and door access systems. Learn on the job, no degree needed.$70kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSolar Panel InstallerPut solar panels on roofs and fields. Fast to start, outdoors, and growing every year.$54kTypical payup to 2 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandTelecommunications TechnicianInstall and fix the fibre, cable and cell equipment that keeps Canada online. A college diploma or on-the-job training, then a company van.$70kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandWater Treatment OperatorMake a town's tap water safe and clean its wastewater. A municipal job with a pension, entered with a high school diploma.$75kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandWind Turbine TechnicianClimb tall towers to service wind turbines. One or two years of college, then a lot of ladders.$77kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Plumbing, pipes and HVAC

5
GasfitterConnect and service furnaces, water heaters and gas lines. A short licence ladder that many plumbers and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) techs add on.$83kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandHVAC (Heating and Cooling) TechnicianInstall and fix furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps and refrigeration. Busy in every heat wave and cold snap.$78kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandPlumberWater, gas and drainage in every building. Paid apprenticeship, licensed in about 5 years.$71kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandSprinkler FitterInstall and test the fire sprinklers every new building needs. Paid apprenticeship, about 4 years.$91kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandSteamfitter and PipefitterHigh-pressure pipe in power plants, refineries and hospitals. A paid apprenticeship of 4 to 5 years.$91kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Metal and machining

8
BoilermakerBuild and repair the boilers, tanks and pressure vessels inside refineries and power plants. Intense shutdown weeks, big overtime, then time off.$102kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandCNC MachinistProgram and run CNC (computer numerical control) machines that cut metal to a hundredth of a millimetre.$62kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMachinistCut metal into exact parts on lathes, mills and computer-controlled machines. Indoors, precise, and steady.$62kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMetal FabricatorCut, shape and fit steel into bridges, tanks and buildings. A Red Seal trade you earn while you work.$60kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandNon-Destructive TesterUse ultrasound and X-rays to find cracks in pipelines, bridges and aircraft without cutting them open.$75kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandSheet Metal WorkerCut, bend and install the ducts, roofing and metal that make buildings breathe. A licensed trade in Ontario with a 5-year apprenticeship.$71kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandTool and Die MakerBuild the moulds and dies that stamp and shape every car part. The most precise trade in the shop.$71kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandWelderJoin metal with heat. A quick trade to start earning in, and the tickets matter more than the diploma.$62kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Industrial and mechanical

7
Appliance Repair TechnicianFix fridges, washers, dryers and stoves in people's homes. A Red Seal trade with a van and steady calls.$59kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandElevator MechanicInstall and maintain elevators and escalators. Job Bank's median of $45 an hour is one of the highest of any trade, and it is one of the hardest to get into.$94kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandLocksmithLocks, keys, safes and access systems. A hands-on trade that is quietly going electronic.$72kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMillwrightInstall, fix and keep running the machines inside mines, mills and factories. The Red Seal name is Industrial Mechanic (Millwright).$77kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPest Control TechnicianBed bugs, mice, wasps and termites. Licensed in months, hired fast, never boring.$54kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyModerateDemandPrinting Press OperatorRun the machines that print packaging, labels, books and flyers. Learn on the floor, no licence needed.$52kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSmall Engine MechanicMowers, chainsaws, generators and snowblowers. A short apprenticeship and a busy spring.$50kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Vehicles and equipment

13
Agricultural Equipment TechnicianFix the combines, tractors and sprayers that feed the country. A Red Seal trade with a Job Bank median of about $77,000 a year.$77kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandAircraft Maintenance EngineerInspect and repair aircraft, then sign them safe to fly. A Transport Canada licence, not a university degree.$81kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandAuto Body RepairerStraighten, weld and rebuild crashed vehicles. Compulsory trade in Ontario, paid by insurance work.$56kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandAuto Glass TechnicianWindshields, side glass and the cameras behind them. Trained in months, in demand every winter.$56kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandAutomotive Service TechnicianDiagnose and fix cars and light trucks. Paid from day one, but you buy your own tools.$62kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandAvionics TechnicianThe electronics that fly the plane: radios, navigation, autopilot, wiring. A 2-year diploma and a Job Bank median of about $84,000 a year.$84kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandBicycle MechanicFix, build and tune bikes and e-bikes. No licence, a short course or shop training, and busy summers.$52kTypical payup to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandHeavy-Duty Equipment TechnicianKeep excavators, haul trucks and loaders running at mines and job sites. Job Bank's median is about $77,000 a year.$77kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMarine MechanicOutboards, sterndrives and boat systems. A short apprenticeship and a summer spent at the marina.$62kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMotorcycle MechanicService and repair motorcycles, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles. A Red Seal trade with long summers and quiet winters.$62kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandParts TechnicianFind, order, stock and sell the parts that keep vehicles and machines running. A Red Seal trade you can do without getting greasy.$54kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandRecreation Vehicle TechnicianMotorhomes and trailers are houses on wheels. You fix the plumbing, propane, electrical and chassis, all in one trade.$62kTypical pay3 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandTruck and Coach TechnicianFix diesel trucks and buses for fleets and transit agencies, including pension jobs in transit.$62kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Personal, food and outdoor trades

16
ArboristClimb, prune and remove trees, often with a chainsaw at height. Line clearing near power lines is a specialty of its own, and this is one of the more dangerous trades.$62kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandBakerBread, pastry and cakes before dawn. Start tomorrow with no schooling, or earn a Red Seal in 3 years.$36kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandBarberFades, beards and straight-razor shaves. Licensed under the hairstylist trade in some provinces, then it is all about your chair and your regulars.$41kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandButcherBreak down carcasses and cut meat for grocery stores and butcher shops. Learn on the job, and unionized at big chains.$42kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandEstheticianFacials, waxing, lashes and skin treatments. A short program, low starting pay, and your regulars decide your income.$42kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandFarrierTrim hooves and forge horseshoes. Self-employed, physically brutal, and paid by the horse.$72kTypical pay1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandFloristDesign bouquets, weddings and funeral flowers. Quick to start, with a Job Bank median of about $17 an hour.$36kTypical payup to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandHairstylistCut, colour and style hair. Licensed in about 2 years, then it takes years more to build a clientele.$41kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandJewellerMake, repair and set fine jewellery. A bench trade learned in college or under a goldsmith, with a slow climb to your own shop.$47kTypical pay2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandLandscape HorticulturistDesign, plant and build outdoor spaces. Seasonal work, easy to start, and many end up owning the company.$62kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandMakeup ArtistBridal, editorial, film and special effects. A short diploma, a portfolio, and freelance income that swings with the season.$42kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyLimitedDemandNail TechnicianManicures, gel, acrylics and nail art. A short course, cheap to start, and your regulars are your paycheque.$42kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyLimitedDemandPet GroomerBathe, clip and style dogs and cats. No licence needed, learn in months, and mobile groomers set their own prices.$37kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyModerateDemandTailorAlter, fit and make clothing by hand and machine. No licence, learn in a shop or at college, with a Job Bank median of about $40,000 a year.$40kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandTattoo ArtistDraw on skin for a living. No licence, a long unpaid apprenticeship, and income that depends on your art and your following.$42kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandUpholstererRe-cover furniture, car seats and boat interiors. No licence, learned in a shop, and a hands-on craft.$47kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Mining, oil and gas

3
Driller and BlasterDrill the holes, load the explosives, fire the shot. A licensed job that breaks rock for quarries, mines and highways.$78kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandOil Rig WorkerStart as a floorhand with no experience and climb to driller. Big money in 12-hour shifts, and no work when the rigs shut down.$83kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyLimitedDemandUnderground MinerDrill, blast and haul ore a kilometre below ground. A Job Bank median of about $87,000 with no degree, in exchange for shift work in the dark.$87kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Tech

20 careers

Software

5
DevOps EngineerKeep the software running and the releases flowing. Job Bank's median is about $117,000 a year, and the work is rarely seen.$117kTypical pay3 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandGame DeveloperWrite the code behind video games. Canada is one of the biggest game-making countries on Earth.$100kTypical pay1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMobile App DeveloperBuild the apps on people's phones. iPhone or Android, one skill set, strong pay.$100kTypical pay1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSoftware DeveloperBuild apps, websites and systems. No licence required, many roads in.$100kTypical pay1 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandWeb DeveloperBuild the websites and web apps people use every day. A cheap way into tech, and a crowded one.$80kTypical pay1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Data and AI

4
Data AnalystPull the numbers, make the charts, answer the question. The most common first job in data.$85kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandData ScientistTurn piles of data into predictions and decisions. Math, code and a lot of cleaning up.$96kTypical pay4 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandDatabase AdministratorGuard the data every company runs on. Steady, well paid, and nobody notices until it breaks.$85kTypical pay2 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMachine Learning EngineerBuild the AI (artificial intelligence) systems that actually run. Heavy math, heavy code, and Canada is a world centre for it.$96kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Security and networks

5
Cloud EngineerBuild and run the rented computers, storage and networks that most software now lives on. Certifications count for more than your degree.$96kTypical pay3 to 6 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandCybersecurity AnalystWatch for attacks and stop them. High pay, real shortage, and the government is one of the biggest employers.$103kTypical pay2 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandNetwork AdministratorKeep the wires, Wi-Fi and firewalls running so everyone else can work. A 2-year diploma and one big certification get you in.$75kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPenetration TesterGet paid to break into companies' computer systems, with their written permission, so real attackers cannot.$103kTypical pay3 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSystems AdministratorRun the servers, accounts and backups a company lives on. Two years of college and hands-on certifications, no degree required.$75kTypical pay3 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Design and product

4
Business AnalystThe translator between the people who need software and the people who build it. A business or IT (information technology) degree and a talent for asking questions.$94kTypical pay3 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandIT Project ManagerGet an IT (information technology) project delivered on time and on budget, with a team you do not directly control. Experience first, then the title.$139kTypical pay6 to 10 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandProduct ManagerDecide what a software product should do next and get engineers, designers and the business to agree. Well paid, rarely a first job.$125kTypical pay5 to 8 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandUX DesignerUX (user experience) designers decide how an app or website works before anyone writes code. A portfolio gets you hired, not a diploma.$70kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Support and testing

2
IT Support TechnicianFix the laptop, reset the password, get the office printing again. The fastest way into an IT (information technology) career, and the ladder everyone else climbed.$65kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSoftware TesterFind the bugs before the customers do. A common side door into a tech career.$73kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Business and money

35 careers

Money and finance

16
Accountant (CPA)The money behind every business. A degree, a national exam, and a designation that travels.$84kTypical pay6 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandActuaryPut a price on risk for insurers and pension plans. Years of exams, but you are paid well while you write them.$106kTypical pay7 to 10 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandBookkeeperKeep a business's money records straight. Fast to learn, steady demand, and you can work for yourself.$58kTypical payup to 2 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandEconomistStudy how money, prices and jobs move, then advise governments, banks and companies. Usually a master's degree.$100kTypical pay5 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandFinancial AnalystRead the numbers behind a company or a deal and tell people what they mean. A degree, then years of exams.$90kTypical pay4 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandFinancial PlannerHelp people plan retirement, taxes, insurance and savings. Licences to sell, a credential to advise.$75kTypical pay4 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandHedge Fund ManagerRun investors' money, betting on markets rising or falling, and keep the job only while you make money.$90kTypical pay10 to 14 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandInsurance AdjusterInvestigate claims after a crash, a flood or a fire and decide what the insurer pays. Hired and trained on the job.$73kTypical payup to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandInsurance BrokerHelp people and businesses buy home, car and business insurance from many companies. Licensed in months in most provinces, no degree needed.$62kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyModerateDemandInvestment AdvisorBuy and sell stocks, bonds and funds for clients at a brokerage. Licensed, commission-heavy, and hard to start.$89kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandInvestment BankerHelp companies raise money, buy other companies or sell themselves, for very high pay and very long weeks.$90kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMortgage BrokerFind people the right mortgage from dozens of lenders. A short course to get licensed, then your pay is commission.$66kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPrivate Equity AssociateHelp a fund buy whole companies with borrowed money, run them better and sell them years later for more.$90kTypical pay6 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandQuantitative AnalystUse math, statistics and code to model markets and risk for a bank, a pension fund or a trading firm.$96kTypical pay4 to 10 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSecurities TraderBuy and sell stocks, bonds and currencies for a bank or investment dealer, using its money and its rules.$89kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandVenture CapitalistInvest in young Canadian startups for a fund, knowing most will fail and a rare few pay for everything.$90kTypical pay6 to 12 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Marketing and sales

7
Market Research AnalystFind out what people want before a company builds it. Surveys, data and clear reports.$92kTypical pay3 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandMarketing SpecialistGet people to notice, want and buy a product. A diploma or degree, a portfolio, and results you can measure.$74kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPublic Relations SpecialistShape how the public sees a company, a charity or a politician. Writing under pressure, every day.$74kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandReal Estate AgentHelp people buy and sell homes for a commission. Licensed in about a year, paid only when a deal closes.$58kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandRetail Store ManagerRun a store: staff, sales, stock and customers. Start on the floor and get promoted, no degree needed.$89kTypical pay3 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSales RepresentativeSell products to businesses and earn commission on every deal. No degree required, but you need thick skin.$66kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSocial Media ManagerRun a brand's Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn for a living. Creative work with numbers attached.$74kTypical pay1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

People and operations

10
Customs BrokerGet goods across the border legally. Classify them, calculate the duty, file with the government, keep trucks moving.$56kTypical pay2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandExecutive AssistantRun the calendar, inbox and travel of a senior leader. You are the person who makes their week work.$72kTypical pay2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandHuman Resources SpecialistHiring, pay, policies and the hard conversations. A degree, an exam, and a designation that carries weight.$85kTypical pay2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandManagement ConsultantCompanies pay you to solve their hardest problems. Long hours, fast learning, and big pay at the top.$92kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandOffice AdministratorKeep an office running: supplies, schedules, records, people and the hundred small problems a day.$60kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPayroll AdministratorMake sure everyone gets paid the right amount on the right day, with the right taxes taken off.$62kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandProcurement SpecialistBuy what a company or government needs, at the best price, without breaking the rules.$75kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandProject ManagerGet a building, a product or a system finished on time and on budget. A job you grow into, not start in.$101kTypical pay5 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandRecruiterFind the right person for the job and convince them to take it. Part sales, part matchmaking.$69kTypical pay1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandSupply Chain AnalystFigure out how products get from a factory to a shelf, and how to do it cheaper and faster.$61kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Property

2
Property ManagerRun apartment buildings, condos or offices for the owners: tenants, repairs, budgets and the 2 am flood.$65kTypical pay1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandReal Estate AppraiserPut a defensible dollar value on a house, a farm or an office tower. Banks will not lend without you.$73kTypical pay4 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Online and self-made

18 careers

Creators

6
Esports PlayerPlay a video game competitively for prize money or a team salary. Very few Canadians make a living from it.$0Typical income2 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandInfluencerBuild a following on TikTok or Instagram and get paid by brands to post. Most earn little, a few earn a lot.$4kTypical income1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandPodcasterMake a show people choose to listen to or watch every week. Most shows earn nothing; a few become a living.$0Typical income2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandStreamerBroadcast live on Twitch, YouTube or Kick for subs, tips and sponsors. Most streams have almost no viewers.$0Typical income2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandUGC CreatorFilm UGC (user-generated content) style ads: casual, real-customer videos for brands. No followers needed, but it is freelance.$3kTypical income1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandYouTuberMake videos and Shorts for an audience and earn from ads, sponsors and fans. Most channels never get paid.$0Typical income2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Trading and investing

4
Crypto TraderBuy and sell bitcoin, other coins and memecoins, 24 hours a day, on your own account. Most traders lose.$0Typical income1 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandDay TraderBuy and sell stocks, options or futures within the same day, with your own money. Most people who try lose it.$0Typical income2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandProp Firm TraderPay an online firm a fee to pass a trading test, then trade its simulated account for a share of the profit.$0Typical income1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandReal Estate InvestorYou buy property to rent out or resell. In most Canadian cities, a new rental costs more each month than it earns.$0Typical income3 to 10 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Online business

8
Affiliate MarketerYou earn a small commission when people buy through your links. Most earn little, and the few who earn a lot built an audience first.$1kTypical income1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandAI Automation Agency OwnerYou build AI (artificial intelligence) chatbots, voice agents and automations for small businesses. A new market that needs real technical and sales skill.$3kTypical income1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandAmazon SellerYou buy or make products and sell them on Amazon.ca, often stored and shipped by Amazon. Fees take a big cut.$3kTypical income1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandDropshipperYou run an online store and a supplier ships each order. Many stores lose money on ads before they find a product, and many never do.$0Typical income1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandEntrepreneurYou start and run your own company. About half of small businesses with staff are gone within ten years.$34kTypical income1 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandOnline Course CreatorTeach a skill you really have through paid courses, coaching or digital products. Selling it is the hard part.$0Typical income1 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandResellerYou buy sneakers, vintage clothes, cards or collectibles cheaply and sell them online for more. Mostly a side income.$4kTypical income1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSocial Media Marketing Agency OwnerYou run social media and ads for local businesses for a monthly fee. Finding and keeping clients is the job.$6kTypical income1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Law and public safety

39 careers

Lawyers

12
Corporate LawyerDeals, contracts and company law at big firms. Long hours, and a shot at partnership.$124kTypical pay7 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandCriminal Defence LawyerDefending people charged with crimes. Mostly solo or in tiny firms, often paid by legal aid, and in court almost every day.$124kTypical pay7 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandCrown ProsecutorThe lawyer who prosecutes crimes for the public. A salary grid, a pension, and a courtroom nearly every day.$124kTypical pay7 to 10 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandEmployment LawyerFirings, severance, harassment and human rights at work. You pick a side: employers or employees.$124kTypical pay7 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandEnvironmental LawyerPipelines, mines, water and climate rules. A lawyer path that leads to government, big firms, charities or First Nations.$124kTypical pay7 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandFamily LawyerDivorce, parenting and support disputes. Small firms, hard conversations, and clients on the worst year of their lives.$124kTypical pay7 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandImmigration LawyerHelping people and employers move to Canada. Federal rules, mountains of paperwork, and a non-lawyer route into the same field.$124kTypical pay7 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandIntellectual Property LawyerPatents, trademarks and copyright. The one legal specialty where a science degree matters.$124kTypical pay7 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandLawyerSeven years of school, a licensing year, then anything from legal aid to Bay Street.$124kTypical pay7 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPersonal Injury LawyerSuing for people hurt in crashes, falls and by negligence (except road crashes in Quebec, where public insurance replaces lawsuits). Paid a share of the win, and only if there is a win.$124kTypical pay7 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandReal Estate LawyerThe lawyer who closes house sales. Steady, high-volume work at a flat fee per file, and almost no courtroom.$124kTypical pay7 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandTax LawyerLaw meets accounting. A long training and a small, specialized field.$124kTypical pay7 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Courts and legal support

10
Court ClerkRun the courtroom's paperwork: swear in witnesses, track exhibits, keep the record. Hired with high school and trained on the job, except in Quebec, which wants 3 years of court office experience first.$62kTypical payup to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandCourt ReporterCapture every word said in court, live on a steno machine or from the recording. Short training, home-based work.$54kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandJudgeNot a job you apply for out of school. Lawyers (and in Quebec, notaries) with 10 or more years of practice apply, and a committee decides.$387kTypical pay17 to 25 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandLaw ClerkThe person who actually runs the file. A 1 or 2 year diploma (3 years in Quebec), no licence, and lawyers who cannot function without you.$69kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandLegal AssistantThe organized person every lawyer depends on. A year of college, then steady office work in any city.$57kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMediatorHelp two sides settle without a trial. Usually a second career built on law, social work or business.$85kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandParalegalIn Ontario, a licensed legal professional who argues in small claims court, traffic court and tribunals. Elsewhere, a support role.$69kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPrivate InvestigatorSurveillance, background checks and insurance fraud, not car chases. Licensed in every province and Yukon after a short course.$44kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyLimitedDemandProbation OfficerSupervise people serving sentences in the community. A social science degree, then a government job with a pension.$84kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSheriffKeep courthouses safe, move prisoners, and in Alberta patrol the highways. A peace officer job with paid training.$70kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Police and fire

9
911 DispatcherYou are the first first responder. You answer the call, keep the caller alive, and send the right help.$58kTypical payup to 2 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandBorder Services OfficerArmed federal officers at airports and land crossings. High school or college, about 18 weeks of training on an allowance, and a federal pension.$87kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandCorrectional OfficerGuarding jails and prisons. High school (more for Quebec provincial jobs), a few weeks to a few months of training, shift work, a strong pension, and real stress.$75kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandFire InspectorThe fire service job with no burning building. You inspect, investigate and enforce the fire code.$95kTypical pay2 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandFirefighterVery hard to get hired, very good once you are. Pension, 24-hour shifts, and a Job Bank median of about $95,000 a year.$95kTypical pay1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPolice DetectiveInvestigate serious crimes instead of answering calls. Not an entry job: you become a police officer first, then earn your way in.$116kTypical pay6 to 10 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandPolice OfficerNo degree required. Paid training, a pension, and six figures within a few years of hire.$104kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandRCMP OfficerJoin the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police): 26 paid weeks at Depot in Regina, then a posting anywhere in Canada.$104kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandWildland FirefighterSeasonal crew work cutting fireline in the bush. No tuition, hard days, and you can start the spring after high school.$52kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Military and security

8
Bylaw OfficerMunicipal law enforcement without a gun. Parking, noise, property standards, animals and licensing.$77kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandCanadian Armed Forces MemberHired out of high school, paid from your first day of basic training, and taught a trade at no cost to you.$71kTypical payup to 2 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandCanadian Armed Forces OfficerGet your degree paid for, get paid while you study, then lead people. The catch is you owe years of service.$114kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandConservation OfficerA peace officer for fish, wildlife and the backcountry. Very few jobs, and people wait years for them.$75kTypical pay3 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandIntelligence OfficerYou collect and make sense of information about threats. Long hiring process, deep background check, quiet career.$91kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSecurity GuardA licence you can get in weeks, a job you can get at 18, and a way into policing if you want it.$44kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyLimitedDemandSignals Intelligence AnalystMake sense of foreign communications for Canada's signals intelligence agency in Ottawa. Citizens only, and hiring can take 18 months.$91kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSpecial Forces OperatorCanada's special operations units only take serving members who pass a hard selection, so you join the Canadian Armed Forces first.$116kTypical pay2 to 6 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemand

Education

13 careers

Teaching

6
Driving InstructorTeach new drivers in a car with a second set of pedals. Cheap to get into, and the pay depends on how many lessons you fill.$42kTypical pay1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandEnglish as a Second Language TeacherTeach English to newcomers, in a school board or an adult program. Two very different routes, with different training and different terms of work.$95kTypical pay5 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMusic TeacherTeach piano, guitar, voice or strings one student at a time. Most music teachers work for themselves.$33kTypical pay2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSchool PrincipalRun a whole school. At least five years of teaching first, then a leadership qualification and a job without a teachers' union behind you.$115kTypical pay10 to 15 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSpecial Education TeacherA certified teacher who specializes in students with disabilities and learning differences. Same salary grid, higher demand.$90kTypical pay6 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandTeacherElementary or high school. A pension, summers off, and a salary grid that climbs for about ten years.$90kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Early years and support

2
Early Childhood EducatorRun the learning day for kids under 6. Two years of college and a licence nearly everywhere in Canada.$46kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandEducational AssistantWork one on one with the students who need the most help. One year of college gets you into a school.$52kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Colleges and universities

2
College InstructorTeach your trade or field at a college. Real work experience counts more than a doctorate.$94kTypical pay7 to 12 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandUniversity ProfessorTeach and research at a university. A Job Bank median of about $122,000, a long training, and scarce permanent jobs.$122kTypical pay8 to 16 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Guidance and libraries

3
Guidance CounsellorThe person students go to about courses, university applications and the stuff they cannot tell anyone else.$85kTypical pay6 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandLibrarianRun collections, help people find what is true, and keep a public space open to everyone. Needs a master's degree.$86kTypical pay6 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandLibrary TechnicianRun the day to day of a library: the desk, the catalogue, the collection. Two years of college and you are working.$58kTypical pay2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Engineering

29 careers

Engineers

23
Aerospace EngineerAircraft, engines, satellites and flight simulators. Montreal is the hub, and only a handful of schools teach it.$104kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandAgricultural EngineerEngineering for food: machinery, barns, irrigation, grain storage and the systems that move a harvest.$104kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandBiomedical EngineerMedical devices, implants and hospital equipment. A small job market, and often a stepping stone to medicine or grad school.$104kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandChemical EngineerTurn raw materials into fuel, medicine, food and plastics at industrial scale. Best paid in Alberta, and tied to the oil price.$108kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandCivil EngineerRoads, bridges, water and buildings. A four-year degree, then a licence that lets you sign the drawings.$101kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandComputer EngineerWhere hardware meets software: chips, embedded systems and the code that runs on them. Many work in software jobs that do not need the licence.$109kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandElectrical EngineerPower grids, electronics and telecom. Where the electricity comes from and where the signals go.$105kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandEnvironmental EngineerClean water, contaminated sites and climate projects. Mostly consulting firms, with a real share of the year outdoors.$101kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandFire Protection EngineerWork out how a building would burn, then design it so people get out. An engineering degree plus a fire specialty.$92kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandGeological EngineerEngineering built on rock, soil and groundwater: tunnels, mine slopes, dams and contaminated ground.$104kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandGeotechnical EngineerSoil and rock. Figure out what the ground will hold before anyone builds a foundation, a dam or a mine on it.$101kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandIndustrial EngineerMake factories, warehouses and hospitals run faster and waste less. The engineering degree most likely to end in a management job.$92kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandMaterials EngineerWork out what things are made of, why they break, and what to build them from next.$100kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMechanical EngineerMachines, engines, heating systems and factories. The biggest engineering discipline, with the widest choice of employers.$95kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMining EngineerPlan and run the mines that dig up Canada's metals and minerals. High pay, remote sites, and an industry that rises and falls with metal prices.$125kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandNaval ArchitectDesign ships and everything else that floats: hull shape, stability, structure and the systems inside.$104kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandNuclear EngineerKeep reactors running safely, and design the next ones. A small field with long, stable careers.$95kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPetroleum EngineerGet oil and gas out of the ground. The best starting pay in engineering, tied to an industry that booms and busts.$135kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPower Systems EngineerKeep the lights on. Design and protect the grid that carries electricity from dams and reactors to your house.$105kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandRobotics EngineerBuild machines that sense, move and decide. Mostly code, some hardware, and no separate licence box for it.$95kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandStructural EngineerMake sure buildings and bridges stand up. A civil engineering specialty with a master's, a stamp, and the liability that comes with it.$101kTypical pay8 to 10 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandTransportation EngineerDesign the roads, intersections, transit lines and signals that decide how a city moves.$101kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandWater Resources EngineerDesign the pipes, dams and flood defences that move water safely. A four-year engineering degree, then a licence.$101kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Technologists

6
Chemical TechnologistRun the tests that decide whether a product, a batch of water or a shipment of fuel is safe to release. Two years of college.$62kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandDrafting TechnologistTurn rough ideas into the exact drawings and 3D models that get built. One to three years of college.$66kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandElectrical Engineering TechnologistDesign, test and commission electrical systems beside the engineers. A two-year college diploma gets you in.$74kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandEngineering TechnologistThe hands-on half of every engineering office. A 2 or 3 year college diploma, then drafting, testing and site work.$70kTypical pay2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandHealth and Safety OfficerWalk the site, find what will hurt someone, and get it fixed before it does. A diploma plus experience.$85kTypical pay2 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMechanical Engineering TechnologistDraw, test and fix the moving parts of machines and buildings. Two or three years of college, then a job on the plant floor and at a desk.$73kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Architecture and design

9 careers

Architecture and planning

7
ArchitectDesign buildings and take legal responsibility for them. Two degrees, a long internship and an exam before you can use the title.$81kTypical pay9 to 11 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandArchitectural TechnologistTurn an architect's ideas into drawings a builder can use. A 2 or 3 year college diploma, Revit and the building code.$63kTypical pay2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandGIS AnalystTurn location data into maps and answers. GIS (geographic information systems) work sits behind city planning, utilities, mining and emergency response.$79kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandLand SurveyorDecide where property lines really are. A protected licence, a long qualification, and work that never runs out.$88kTypical pay6 to 9 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandLandscape ArchitectParks, streets, campuses and the land around buildings. A design degree, two years of practice and a four-part exam.$85kTypical pay6 to 9 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandSurvey TechnologistRun the instruments that put buildings, roads and property lines in the right place. Two years of college and you are working.$62kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandUrban PlannerDecide what gets built where. A planning degree, two years on the job, then a professional title. Expect public meetings and politics.$96kTypical pay6 to 8 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Design

2
Industrial DesignerDesign the objects people buy: products, furniture, vehicles. A 4-year degree and a portfolio. A small market in Canada, a big one in the US.$75kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandInterior DesignerPlan the inside of buildings so they work, pass code and look right. A 4-year degree, two years of practice and a national exam. Not decorating.$60kTypical pay6 to 8 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Creative

27 careers

Design

4
AnimatorYou make drawings and models move, frame by frame, for films, series and games.$65kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandFashion DesignerYou design clothing and accessories, then work with pattern makers and factories to get them made.$65kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandGraphic DesignerLogos, websites, packaging, apps. A portfolio matters more than a diploma.$65kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandIllustratorYou draw for a living: books, games, magazines, packaging. The portfolio decides everything.$65kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Art and craft

2
Ceramic ArtistYou throw, hand-build, glaze and fire clay, and sell the results at markets, shops and galleries.$42kTypical payup to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandVisual ArtistYou make paintings, sculpture, photographs or installations and sell them through galleries, commissions and grants.$62kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Writing and media

7
AuthorYou write books and long pieces for a living, usually alongside other writing work that pays the bills.$77kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandBroadcasterHost, announce and present on radio, television and podcasts. Small pay at the start, big pay if you get known.$58kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandCopywriterWrite the words that sell things: ads, websites, emails, packaging, scripts.$77kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandEditorYou take someone else's writing and make it clear, correct and fit for its reader.$72kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandJournalistYou find out what happened, check it, and tell people clearly and fast.$77kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandTechnical WriterYou explain complicated products clearly: help pages, manuals, procedures and developer guides.$75kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandTranslator and InterpreterMove meaning between languages, in writing or out loud, without adding or losing anything.$71kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Film, TV and music

9
Broadcast TechnicianKeep TV (television), radio and live streams on the air. Cameras, audio, transmitters and the gear nobody sees.$77kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandCamera OperatorRun the camera on film, television, live sport and news. Heavy gear, long days, union rates.$76kTypical pay2 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandComposerWrite music for film, TV (television), games, ads and the concert stage. No licence, no gatekeeper, and very little money at the start.$36kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandFilm DirectorDecide what every shot, performance and cut is trying to say, then get a hundred people to deliver it.$85kTypical pay4 to 10 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandFilm ProducerFind the story, find the money, hire the people, and carry the risk from first meeting to final delivery.$85kTypical pay3 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMusicianPlay or sing for money. Almost everyone does it by stacking gigs, teaching and session work together.$33kTypical pay2 to 10 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandPhotographerWeddings, portraits, products, news, sport. Most photographers run a small business, not a job.$50kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandSound EngineerRecord, mix and repair sound for music, film, games and live shows. One year of training, then years of ears.$68kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandVideo EditorCut raw footage into something that holds attention. The last person who gets to decide what the story is.$72kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Performing

3
ActorFilm, TV (television), theatre, voice and commercials. Good money per day of work, and most people do not get many days.$50kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandChoreographerMake the movement other people perform. Almost everyone in this job danced first.$85kTypical pay4 to 10 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandDancerBallet, contemporary, musicals, commercial work. The training starts as a child and the career ends early.$69kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Museums and heritage

2
ArchivistDecide what records survive and make them findable. Quiet work with long consequences.$82kTypical pay6 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMuseum CuratorDecide what a museum collects, keeps and shows. A research job with a public audience.$76kTypical pay6 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Transport

21 careers

Air

6
Air Traffic ControllerPaid a salary from the first day of training. Most people who apply never get in.$114kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandAirline PilotFly people across the country for a living. The training bill is big and the seniority ladder is slow.$108kTypical pay4 to 7 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandDrone PilotCheap and fast to get certified. Turning it into a full-time income is the hard part.$36kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyModerateDemandFlight AttendantHired and trained by the airline in weeks. You are there for safety first and service second.$65kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyModerateDemandFlight DispatcherPlan the route, pick the fuel, watch the weather. On many flights you share control with the captain.$114kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandHelicopter PilotFly the machine that can land anywhere. Most of the work is in the bush, not the city.$108kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemand

Road

5
Bus DriverLicensed in a few months, then hired by a transit system that trains you and pays a pension.$52kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyGoodDemandDelivery DriverThe quickest job to start on this site. Watch for the versions where you pay for the van, the fuel and the insurance.$42kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyModerateDemandLetter CarrierOne employer, one union, and a route you walk in every kind of weather.$60kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyModerateDemandTow Truck OperatorShow up when someone's day has gone wrong. Ontario now licenses every tow driver and towing company.$55kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyModerateDemandTruck DriverLicensed in a few months. Everything in every store got there on a truck.$55kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyModerateDemand

Rail

3
Locomotive EngineerRun freight and passenger trains across the country. The railway hires you first, then trains you.$104kTypical pay3 to 6 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandRail Traffic ControllerSit in a control centre and decide where every train on your territory goes next.$85kTypical pay2 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandRailway ConductorRun the train crew, switch the cars and own the paperwork. Hired off a high school diploma and trained on pay.$90kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Sea

5
Coast Guard OfficerSearch and rescue, icebreaking and buoy tending on a federal ship. The training is four years and the government pays you to do it.$86kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandDeckhandThe entry door to working at sea. A short safety course, a medical, and you can be on a boat this season.$58kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyLimitedDemandLongshore WorkerLoad and unload the ships that carry almost everything you own. Union work, hard to get into, hard to leave.$68kTypical pay1 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMarine Engineering OfficerKeep a ship's engines, power and systems running while it is a thousand kilometres from a repair shop.$77kTypical pay3 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandShip OfficerNavigate and command commercial ships. You train as a cadet at sea, not in a lecture hall.$86kTypical pay3 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Logistics

2
Logistics CoordinatorPlan how goods get from a factory to a shelf, and fix it when a shipment goes missing.$61kTypical pay1 to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandTransport DispatcherMatch loads to drivers, fix problems on the road, and keep a whole fleet moving from one desk.$58kTypical payup to 2 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Food and hospitality

15 careers

Kitchen

3
ChefStart tomorrow, no degree. Long hours, low starting pay, and a real path to running your own kitchen.$48kTypical payup to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandCookGet hired in a week with no schooling, learn a trade on the line, and take the skill anywhere in the country.$37kTypical payup to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPastry ChefRun the sweet side of a kitchen. Early mornings, precise recipes, and better pay than most cooking jobs.$48kTypical pay1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Front of house

5
BaristaThe easiest real job to get in Canada, and a skilled craft if you stay. Just know the pay ceiling is low.$34kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyModerateDemandBartenderRun the bar, control the room, and get paid in wages plus tips. In most provinces one short certificate is all the law requires.$42kTypical payup to 2 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandRestaurant ManagerRun the room, the schedule and the money. The one hospitality job with a real salary, and the one that eats your weekends.$54kTypical pay2 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandRestaurant ServerA job you can start within days, where tips decide what you actually take home.$38kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyModerateDemandSommelierThe wine expert on a restaurant floor. Years of study and tasting for a job that only exists in a small number of restaurants in Canada.$38kTypical pay2 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Hotels and travel

5
Hotel Front Desk AgentCheck guests in, fix what went wrong, hold the whole building together from one counter.$40kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyModerateDemandHotel ManagerRun a building full of strangers, staff and beds. The phone never stops.$79kTypical pay3 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandOutdoor Adventure GuideTake people up mountains, down rivers and into the backcountry, and bring all of them home.$43kTypical pay1 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandTour GuideGet paid to explain a place to people who have never seen it. Seasonal, social, and often with tips on top of the wage.$42kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyLimitedDemandTravel AgentPlan other people's trips and fix them when they fall apart. In Ontario you need to pass an exam first.$50kTypical payup to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Events

2
Casino DealerRun the table, pay the winners, count everything twice. Trained in weeks, watched by cameras all shift.$48kTypical payup to 1 yearTo qualifyModerateDemandEvent PlannerTurn a budget and a date into a room full of people who think it ran itself.$59kTypical pay1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Science and environment

28 careers

Life and lab

9
BiochemistWork out the chemistry inside living cells, for a drug company, a hospital lab or a university.$83kTypical pay4 to 9 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandBiologistStudy living things for a government, a university or a consulting firm. The degree is the easy part; the funding is the hard part.$83kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandChemistAnalyse, formulate and improve materials for industry, government or a research lab.$80kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandFood ScientistDesign what goes in the package, and make sure it is safe, stable and the same every time.$83kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandForensic ScientistAnalyse evidence in a government lab and defend the result in court. A small field, and the jobs go to chemists and biologists.$80kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandLaboratory TechnicianRun the tests that keep water, food, fuel and medicine safe. Two years of college (three in Quebec) and you are working.$62kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMarine BiologistStudy ocean life on three coasts. Popular, competitive, and mostly funded by fisheries and government science.$83kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandMicrobiologistWork with bacteria, viruses and fungi in a hospital, a brewery, a water plant or a vaccine lab.$83kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandWildlife BiologistCount, track and manage wild animals so governments and companies can decide what happens to their habitat.$83kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Physics, space and numbers

4
AstronomerStudy stars, planets and galaxies with telescopes and code. Almost everyone in this job has a doctorate.$117kTypical pay9 to 12 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandMathematicianProve things, model things, and solve problems other people cannot state clearly yet.$106kTypical pay4 to 10 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandPhysicistWork out how matter and energy behave, then build instruments to prove it. The longest science training, and the widest exits.$117kTypical pay8 to 11 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandStatisticianDesign studies, measure things properly, and say how sure you actually are.$106kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Earth and weather

4
GeologistRead rocks to find metals, water and oil, and to work out what the ground will do next.$104kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandHydrologistWork out where water goes: floods, droughts, groundwater and the rivers a city drinks from.$104kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandMeteorologistForecast storms, warn people in time, and study how the atmosphere is changing.$112kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandOceanographerMeasure the ocean: its currents, chemistry, life and ice. Often from a ship, in bad weather.$104kTypical pay4 to 10 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Environment and conservation

4
EcologistStudy how living things and their habitats fit together, then tell governments and builders what a project will do to them.$83kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandEnvironmental ScientistMeasure pollution, assess projects before they are built, and hold industry to the rules.$94kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandEnvironmental TechnicianTake the samples, run the instruments and gather the field data the reports are built on. Two years of college (three in Quebec) gets you in.$70kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPark WardenEnforce the law inside national parks. Peace officer powers, a backcountry office and very few positions.$75kTypical pay2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

Farming, forestry and fishing

7
AgronomistThe crop doctor. You walk fields, read soil tests, and tell farmers what to plant, feed and spray.$83kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandAquaculture TechnicianRaise fish and shellfish on a farm in the water. Feeding, health checks, nets and boats.$61kTypical payup to 2 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandCommercial FisherCatch fish, crab or lobster for a living. Pay follows the catch, and it is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country.$58kTypical payup to 2 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandFarmerRun a business that grows food. Long hours, big machinery, and weather you cannot control.$62kTypical payup to 4 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemandForesterDecide how a forest gets cut, protected and regrown, and sign your name to the plan.$98kTypical pay5 to 7 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandForestry TechnicianThe person who actually measures the forest: plots, plants, roads, cut blocks and regrowth.$69kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandGreenhouse GrowerRun the crop inside a glass building: light, water, feed and pests, twelve months a year.$45kTypical payup to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Community and public service

9 careers

Social services

4
Career CounsellorHelp people figure out what to do for work, then help them actually get hired.$62kTypical pay2 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandCommunity Service WorkerSit with people on the worst day of their life and help them find food, housing, income and a way forward.$54kTypical pay1 to 2 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandRecreation CoordinatorRun the programs a town lives on: swim lessons, hockey ice, day camps, seniors drop-ins and the summer festival.$64kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemandSettlement WorkerHelp newcomers to Canada find housing, schools, health cards and work in their first months here.$54kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Government

3
Foreign Service OfficerRepresent Canada abroad: diplomacy, trade, aid and helping Canadians in trouble overseas.$91kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandPolicy AnalystResearch a problem, weigh the options, and write the advice a minister or a city council acts on.$89kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandTax AuditorOpen a company's books and work out whether the tax return tells the truth.$84kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand

Faith and end of life

2
Funeral DirectorTake care of a family and a body in the days after a death, and get every legal detail right.$65kTypical pay2 to 3 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemandReligious LeaderLead a congregation: worship, weddings, funerals, counselling and a community that calls you at midnight.$57kTypical pay3 to 7 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand

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