10 High Paying Jobs in Canada

The job market in Canada is white hot in 2022 - and that means you have the potential to earn more than you ever have before. Whether you’re in the GTA, you’re enjoying life on Vancouver Island, or you’re looking for opportunities in the Prairies or the Maritimes, there are some amazing jobs available.

Finding the perfect job takes time and energy. We want to eliminate barriers to higher earnings, so we’ve compiled this list of 10 of the highest-paying jobs in Canada. Take a look, get inspired, and increase your earning potential! 

Anaesthesiologist

Average salary: $360,000 annually

Anaesthesiologists are doctors who have specialized in giving patients anaesthetics, a type of medicine that creates a loss of sensation to control pain during surgery and other medical treatments. They also monitor patients who are under the effects of anaesthetics, a state known as anaesthesia.

The path to becoming an anaesthesiologist in Canada takes around 12-13 years to complete. Students typically complete their undergrad in a relevant field (around 4 years), though you can apply for medical school after only 2 years of undergraduate studies. 

Once a student has passed the exam required to enter medical school (the MCAT), they must complete medical school, which typically takes another 4 years. From there, they can complete a residency in anaesthesiology, a 5-year program.

Cloud Architect

Average salary: $126,000 annually

Cloud architects are IT professionals who design, develop, manage, and monitor an organization’s cloud-based resources. This can include designing cloud-based servers, migrating traditional IT services to the cloud, and more.

To become a cloud architect, it’s a good idea to get a relevant bachelor’s degree in Computer Programming, certifications from companies like Microsoft (Azure) and Amazon (AWS), and certificates in cloud computing. Accruing experience working on cloud computing projects with other teams is a must, too, as cloud architects take on leadership roles designing cloud solutions. 

Senior Software Engineer

Average salary: $109,342 annually

Senior software engineers lead teams of software engineers and oversee the design and development of software. These roles are often as much about hands-on programming as they are about oversight. Senior software engineers are regularly brought on at the start point of the project and create a plan for how software development will proceed.

To become a senior software engineer typically takes anywhere from 10-12 years - though most of it is paid work. The first step is to get a bachelor’s degree in computer sciences, computer engineering, or a related field (4 years). From there, about 6 years of hands-on work experience as a junior and mid-level software engineer is required. After 6 years, companies like Google will consider a software engineer to be called senior. 

We’re in one of the hottest job markets Canada has ever seen. Take your career to the next level, and start earning more than you ever have before - share your resume with a Staffmax recruiter today! 

Physician

Average salary: $256,426 annually

Physician is a catch-all term for any kind of doctor with a medical degree. Family doctors are physicians, and so are radiologists. The role of a physician will depend largely on the degree of specialization they have. This means the salary of a physician can vary widely - while family doctors make around $200,000 annually, specialists like anaesthesiologists can make much more.

Becoming a physician takes around 10-12 years, depending on the level of specialization. Students typically complete their undergrad in a relevant field (around 4 years), though you can apply for medical school after only 2 years of undergraduate studies. 

Once a student has passed the exam required to enter medical school (the MCAT), they must complete medical school, which typically takes another 4 years. Completing a residency takes a minimum of 2 years (for family medicine), but can go much longer depending on specialization. 

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Average salary: $182,293 annually

The CIO is a C-suite executive in charge of planning high-level strategies for the implementation, maintenance, and development of information and computer technology within a company. The roles of CIO vary widely depending on the company they work for, but all are expected to analyze how technologies can benefit the company at large, work with a variety of stakeholders within and outside of the company to integrate technologies, and forecast future technological trends.

Becoming a CIO usually requires 15+ years. Almost all CIOs will have a relevant Bachelor’s degree; IT management, computer science, and database management are a few examples (3-4 years). Most will also have relevant Master’s degrees in subjects like Business administration (2-3 years). Finally, most CIOs will have at least 10 years of experience in the field with ever increasing responsibilities. 

Cybersecurity engineer

Average salary: $115,420

Cybersecurity engineers build and test networks with the goal of securing these networks from both internal and external threats. A cybersecurity engineer will use ethical hacking to try to penetrate a network and find security holes that need to be patched. They’ll also implement monitoring software to check for breaches, and install, maintain, and create security programs (both software and training programs) to prevent breaches.

To become a cybersecurity engineer takes about 7-10 years of education and experience. You’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, usually computer science or cybersecurity (4-5 years). From there, you’ll need 2-5 years of experience working in cybersecurity. A Master’s degree in a relevant field can also boost your prospects. 

Actuarial manager

Average salary: $123,206

Actuaries are risk managers - they use math and data to analyze the financial impact of uncertainty. Actuarial managers manage teams of actuaries. They use their knowledge to develop and implement KPIs, develop SAS programs, and ensure that the data being used in statistical models is accurate. They also delegate tasks, address the concerns of their teams, and manage projects.

Becoming an actuarial manager can take 15+ years. First, you’ll need to get a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field - usually actuarial sciences (4-5 years). Then, you’ll need to pass the 10 actuarial exams administered by professional organizations like the Society of Actuaries (7-8 years). From there, you’ll need enough on-the-job experience to be qualified for management (5-10 years).

Petroleum engineer

Average salary: $107,404

Petroleum engineers play a key role in Canada’s oil and gas industry. They work with field teams and geoscience professionals to explore for and develop oil and gas resources. A petroleum engineer may analyze drilling data to determine if an area has hydrocarbons that can be acquired cost-effectively, analyze reservoir performance, find methods to optimize hydrocarbon recovery, and research more sustainable methods of drilling for oil and gas.

Becoming a petroleum engineer usually only takes about 4-5 years, though getting a higher paying position will take longer (usually 8-9 years). To become a petroleum engineer, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree, usually in petroleum engineering (4-5 years). From there, you’ll apprentice under an experienced petroleum engineer, usually for about 4-5 years. After that, you can register with the relevant engineering association in your province and become a fully certified petroleum engineer. 

Dentist

Average salary: $176,642 annually

Dentists are healthcare professionals who care for the teeth and mouth. They are doctors who obtain a degree in dentistry (as opposed to doctors who obtain a degree in medicine). The role of a dentist can vary substantially. Many offer general dental services, like treating cavities and extracting teeth. Some offer specialized care, like periodontists. Others care for patients and manage and own their own dental practices.

Becoming a dentist takes 6-8 years. Students begin by completing a relevant undergrad in a subject like biology or chemistry (3-4 years). They then complete dental school and obtain their  DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. Specialization requires more years of schooling. 

It’s always a good idea to keep yourself open to new career opportunities. You may be qualified for high-paying careers you didn’t even know existed! Get in contact with one of our recruitment specialists to learn more.

Civil Attorney

Average salary: $103,428 annually

Civil lawyers advise people and organizations about non-criminal legal matters. They may advise businesses on legal matters, represent clients in civil court, file motions, negotiate settlements, and more. There are many different domains of practice in the world of civil law - corporate law, employment law, property law, etc. are all fields that fall mainly in the realm of civil law. As such, the salary of a civil attorney can vary fairly widely.

Becoming a civil lawyer generally takes 7 to 8 years. Students should first pursue a bachelor’s degree (3 to 4 years). Law is a broad field, so a background in anything from engineering to music can be helpful. From there, a student must pass the LSAT, then go to law school, a process that takes 3-4 years. During law school, it’s advisable to take summer work that’s relevant to a law degree. Then they have to article for a year and pass the Bar.

We’ve covered jobs in medicine, computer sciences, law, and more - and these are just some of the exciting, high-paying jobs you can get in Canada. When it comes to your career, you don’t need to compromise. You can find meaningful, high-paying work in any field - you just need the experience and know-how. 

We can help. Get in touch with one of our recruitment professionals, and find your dream job today!