Are you an international student looking to study (and work) in Canada? Truth is, Canada is an amazing place to get your education. World-class universities, vibrant cities, and amazing job opportunities.
But did you know that as an international student in Canada, you can work part-time during your studies? And after graduating, you can work full-time for up to 3 years with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?
That’s right! Unlike many other countries, Canada allows international students to work and earn money to help pay for tuition and living expenses.
And we’re not just talking minimum wage jobs either. There are some seriously high-paying career paths available.
Today, I’m going to reveal the 7 highest paying jobs for international students in Canada. Jobs where you can potentially make $100K+.
I’ll cover:
- What each job is
- How much you can make
- What skills/education is required
- Real-life examples of international students in these fields
Let’s get started!
High-Paying Job #1: Software Engineer/Developer
Average Salary: $82,000 – $130,000+
This should come as no surprise. Software engineering and development has been one of the highest paying jobs in Canada (and the world) for years now.
The cool thing is that a lot of the top software companies are based in Canada. We’re talking huge names like:
- Shopify
- Wealthsimple
- Hootsuite
- And many others
Farhana’s $105K Software Job After Graduating UBC
Meet Farhana, an international student from Bangladesh. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Computer Science.
Thanks to her co-op placements and internships during school, Farhana had some solid experience under her belt after graduating.
This made her an attractive candidate to employers. She ended up landing a job as a Software Engineer at a hot Vancouver startup. Her starting salary? A cool $105,000 per year!
“The pay was way higher than I expected coming right out of school. Living in Vancouver isn’t cheap, but making 6-figures lets me live quite comfortably.”
Skills Needed: Programming (Java, Python, C++, etc.), problem-solving, attention to detail
High-Paying Job #2: Management Consultant
Average Salary: $70,000 – $120,000+
If you’re pursuing a business degree, management consulting is where the big bucks are. Especially if you land a job at one of the big firms like:
- McKinsey
- Boston Consulting Group
- Bain & Company
These are the “elite” management consulting companies that pay their new grads insane salaries right out of the gate.
Simon From South Africa Scores $95K Job at McKinsey
Simon is a perfect example. He was an international student from South Africa who studied Business Administration at McGill University.
Simon busted his butt in and out of the classroom to prepare for those intense management consulting interviews. His hard work paid off in a huge way.
After graduating, Simon landed a role as a Business Analyst at McKinsey’s Toronto office. His starting salary? A massive $95,000 per year.
“The interviews were no joke. But the pay and exit opportunities make it all worth it. The plan is to work here for 2-3 years then maybe get my MBA.”
Skills Needed: Problem-solving, data analysis, communication, strategy
High-Paying Job #3: Investment Banker
Average Salary: $75,000 – $150,000+
If you’re looking for a career with that “Wolf of Wall Street” lifestyle, investment banking could be for you.
The hours are insane. Like 70-90 hour weeks insane. But hey, those 6-figure salaries right out of university help make up for it.
Dilshad’s $125K Investment Banking Salary Out of UofT
Take Dilshad for example. She moved to Toronto from Pakistan as an international student and studied Finance at the University of Toronto.
Towards the end of her degree, Dilshad landed a front office internship at a bulge bracket investment bank in the city. It was intense, but that experience helped her secure a full-time Investment Banking Analyst position when she graduated.
Her starting salary? A jaw-dropping $125,000 per year.
“I work crazy hours. But at my income level, I can pay off my student loans in no time. In a few years, I’ll have enough experience to hopefully move into a hedge fund or private equity role.”
Skills Needed: Financial modeling, accounting, valuation, attention to detail
High-Paying Job #4: Doctor
Average Salary: $90,000 – $360,000+
This one’s a no-brainer. Doctors have always been among the highest paid professionals.
Becoming a doctor takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears. We’re talking:
- 4 years undergraduate degree
- 4 years medical school
- 2+ years residency
The road is long and tough. But the payoff is huge both financially and in terms of helping people.
Anita the $240K Pediatrician from India
Our friend Anita is the perfect example of an international student turned high-earning Canadian doctor.
Anita came to Canada from India to study at McMaster University. After her undergrad, she was accepted into McMaster’s medical school.
Following medical school, Anita did her pediatric residency at SickKids hospital in Toronto.
She’s now a practicing pediatrician at a large hospital in Mississauga. Her salary? Just under $240,000 per year.
“It was extremely challenging. But being able to help kids every day makes it all worth it. And the pay isn’t too bad either!”
Skills Needed: Science, biology, chemistry, problem-solving, interpersonal
High-Paying Job #5: Petroleum Engineer
Average Salary: $100,000 – $180,000+
You might be surprised to see this one. But petroleum engineering is actually one of the highest-paying jobs in Canada.
These are the engineers that design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas deposits beneath the Earth’s surface. As you can imagine, these are highly-technical and demanding roles.
And because these skills are so niche and valuable, the pay is through the roof.
Thai’s $145K Petroleum Engineering Gig in Calgary
Thai is a perfect example of an international student who scored big in this lucrative field.
After getting his engineering degree in Thailand, Thai moved to Canada to pursue his Master’s in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Calgary.
Not long after graduating, Thai landed a job as a Drilling Engineer at one of the big oil and gas firms in Calgary. His starting salary was an impressive $145,000 per year.
“The job security and pay are excellent. But it’s also rewarding work that helps provide energy for the whole world.”
Skills Needed: Geology, physics, math, problem-solving, technical
High-Paying Job #6: Lawyer
Average Salary: $70,000 – $180,000+
Here’s another classic high-paying career path: lawyer.
Lawyers help clients navigate dense legal codes, contracts and everything in between. It takes advanced credentials and serious brainpower.
The upside? Fat paychecks. Especially if you work at a large, corporate law firm.
Yasmine the $130K Corporate Lawyer From Morocco
Yasmine is a perfect example of an international student from Morocco who hit the legal jackpot in Canada.
After finishing her undergrad at the University of Ottawa, Yasmine continued on to law school at uOttawa.
Yasmine worked tirelessly during law school, landing internships at top law firms like Gowling WLG and Blake, Cassels & Graydon.
All that hard work paid off. After graduating and getting called to the bar, Yasmine landed an associate role at a corporate law firm in Toronto. Her salary? $130,000 per year.
“It was an intense process. But working at a top firm right out of law school made it all worth it. My student loans will be paid off in no time.”
Skills Needed: Research, writing, critical thinking, public speaking
High-Paying Job #7: Data Scientist
Average Salary: $90,000 – $150,000+
Last up, we have one of the hottest careers today: data scientist.
Put simply, data scientists analyze huge amounts of data to find insights and trends. Companies use these insights to make better business decisions.
With the rise of “Big Data,” companies are scrambling to hire skilled data scientists. Because of this, data science has quickly become one of the highest-paying roles out there.
José’s $110K Salary as a Data Scientist in Toronto
Take José for example. He was an international student from Venezuela studying Statistics at the University of Toronto.
Throughout his degree, José made an effort to learn the most in-demand data science tools and programming languages like:
- Python
- R
- SQL
- Machine Learning
- And more
José’s hard work paid off in a big way. Shortly after graduating, he landed his dream job as a Data Scientist at a major Canadian bank in Toronto.
His starting salary for this coveted role? $110,000 per year straight out of university.
“The money and career opportunities in data science are amazing right now. Companies are willing to pay top dollar for people with these skills.”
Skills Needed: Math, statistics, programming, data analysis, machine learning
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I increase my chances of getting a high-paying job as an international student?
The best things you can do are:
- Study an in-demand field like tech, business, healthcare, etc.
- Do internships/co-ops to get experience
- Work hard in your classes to get good grades
- Build relevant hard and soft skills
- Practice interviewing and networking
How many hours per week can international students work in Canada?
As an international student, you can work up to 20 hours per week during regular school sessions. During scheduled breaks like summer/winter holidays, you can work full-time.
Do I need a work permit after graduation?
After graduating, you have the option to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada for up to 3 years.
What are salaries like for entry-level jobs in Canada?
Entry-level job salaries vary widely based on the job and location. But you can generally expect $40,000-$70,000 for jobs that don’t require higher education. Higher-skilled professions pay $70,000+.
Can I immigrate to Canada permanently after working there?
Yes! After working in Canada for 1+ years, there are multiple pathways for temporary workers to get Permanent Residency and potentially become Canadian citizens down the line.
That’s a Wrap!
Well, there you have it! The 7 highest paying jobs in Canada for international students.
From tech and business to medicine and law, there are tons of lucrative opportunities out there for you.
The key is to pick an in-demand field, work your butt off, and position yourself as a top candidate to employers.
While the road may be challenging, the payoff can be huge in the form of a six-figure salary right out of university.
So if you’re an ambitious international student looking to study (and work) in Canada, hopefully this guide gave you some great options to consider.
Best of luck!