Attending university takes a lot of time and money. But the good news is that in Canada, you can find well-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree
All you need is a high school diploma, a willingness to learn, and sometimes a trade certification. This can be a better option than taking out large student loans and paying high tuition fees. While traditional professions like law, medicine, and dentistry are well-paid, a career in skilled trades could offer a better return on investment.
The best part? You can start earning a good wage right away, as many employers will cover the cost of your apprenticeship or on-the-job training.
I’ve listed some of the highest-paying jobs in Canada that don’t require a degree. Some even have average yearly salaries over $100,000! Let’s dive in!
Library Assistant
Average wage:$13.50/hr
In this job, you can be sure that your health and safety are protected, especially if you don’t mind cramped quarters. Although the pay is obviously lower than that of many of the remaining positions, this is still a very good option for someone searching for an entry-level position that pays fairly well. Additionally, you can eventually become a licensed librarian if you obtain a degree in a related field.
However, for the time being, you’ll be enjoying the excitement of updating electronic files along with tasks like issuing, receiving, sorting, and re-shelving books, periodicals, and other materials. You’ll also need to deal with people.
Home Support Worker
Average wage: $14/hr
Although some employers might require additional prerequisites like a post-secondary course in home support or first-aid certification, this is another career that you can undertake with just a secondary education.
However, given Canada’s aging population, it is certain that demand for this type of work will only increase over the course of the next ten or so years. Additionally, it’s one of those vocations that could never be automated.
If you can make closer to the top income of $19.00 per hour, which is available to those who are ready to work longer hours, the average wage is slightly higher than lower-ranking unskilled positions like cashier.
Although it might be mentally and physically taxing at times, if you’re capable of doing the job, it’s one of those jobs Canadians are very eager to do.
School Bus Driver
Average wage: $19.50/hour
Generally speaking, the criteria are the same for every truck driver, but driving a school bus comes with a unique set of duties, such as making sure dozens of rambunctious children are safely cared for. It will also be necessary for you to enroll in a job-specific training program.
For instance, the School Bus Driver Improvement Course (SBDIC), which addresses everything from licensing and legal issues to driver tiredness and strategic driving strategies, is mandated by the MTO (provincial ministry of transportation) in Ontario. You don’t need to fret tho, the course takes 6.5 hours on average. It is possible that you will have to attend four two-hour classes before taking an exam. That is to say, it will just require a few days, or even a week. However, all you need to begin the course is a secondary education. It goes without saying that you will also require an Ontario class B or E license, or its equivalent in other provinces, to operate a school bus.
Furthermore, the pay is quite fair, as you can see.
Car Salesman
Average annual salary:$49,500
Car salesman, as their name implies, are people who sell cars. But the job starts the moment a potential customer walks into the dealership. When a customer walks in the door, car salespeople greet them and assist them in understanding all of their alternatives. Customers can view a variety of vehicles, learn about the features of each car, and get their questions answered by them.
In addition, auto salespeople assist with trade-ins, prepare financing paperwork, negotiate costs, and take clients for test drives.
A car salesman’s average pay is $49,500, but many in the field make significantly more than this. As a car salesperson, your income potential is essentially endless, particularly if you have a keen understanding of the sales industry.
Train Conductor
Average annual salary: $89,628
Railway train operators are responsible for the secure and effective running of their trains. They provide customer service, keep an eye on train operations, check equipment, and guarantee the security of both passengers and freight. Typically, train conductors receive on-the-job training. There is a theoretical and practical component to this course, and then a test.
Sone companies offers a 7-week training course. In order to receive full certification, trainees must practice in-field learning skills linked to daily responsibilities for four to six months. Benefits from the employment include disability insurance coverage, pensions, family aid programs, and health insurance. As long as no prior expertise is needed, the pay is commendable.
Firefighter
Average annual salary: $69,217
In addition to responding to all kinds of fires, firefighters are also in charge of performing fire safety inspections, rescuing humans and animals from harm, and administering emergency care. Fighting fires is a high-paying job that may be done without a degree in Canada. Every Canadian jurisdiction has different standards for applying to be a firefighter. You can however start as a volunteer to gain some traction. Not only does becoming a fireman in Canada pay well, but it also has many social benefits and privileges, such the potential for an early retirement.
Here are a few of the prerequisites:
- eighteen years of age or older
- education up to grade 12 or its equivalent
- A legitimate driver’s license
- Pristine background investigation
- In good physical condition
- In some provinces, you might have to possess other requirements such as:
- Pre-service Fire Fighter Education & Training Certificate
- First aid Certificate
- NFPA 1001 Firefighter Levels I & II from a recognized institution
Arborist
Average annual salary: $58,373
The task of caring for trees and other vegetation falls to arborists. They carry out tasks relating to trees, such as stump removal, insect management, trimming and pruning, and risk evaluation. They also offer guidance and support on safe tree removal techniques. The salary range in the forestry sector varies based on the type of contract or role you hold. There are positions available for both production and daily rate. Many contracts have a daily compensation of $200+.
Obtaining a chainsaw certificate can be completed in two to three days, or you can begin as a general laborer and work your way up. Planting, removing, pruning, spraying herbicides, brushing, aerial monitoring, silviculture surveying, fire smart contracts, and other tasks are all possible in this field. In this sector, one can advance quickly if they possess the correct mindset, are dedicated to the task at hand, and show leadership abilities.
To become International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified, itrequires at least three years of experience in landscaping, forestry, horticulture, or a similar field in order for someone to become a fully certified arborist.
While it’s not necessary to hold an ISA certification in order to work in the tree industry, having one can undoubtedly help you stand out when applying for jobs.
As an alternative, you can get a two-year degree by completing at least two arboriculturally related courses and gaining two years of arboricultural work experience.
If you launch your own tree company, it can be an extremely profitable job.
Flight Attendant
Average annual salary: $46,722
Ensuring that passengers enjoy a comfortable voyage is the duty of flight attendants. Along with serving food and drinks to passengers and selling duty-free goods on board, they also make sure that customers are comfortable and safe throughout flights.
In order to become a flight attendant, you must complete Air Canada’s 7-week curriculum, which includes safety and service training in addition to all the necessary procedures, .In addition, you must be a Canadian citizen (possessor of a Canadian passport) and at least eighteen years old. Thus, regrettably, foreign workers in Canada cannot pursue this career path. The best thing about working as a flight attendant is that, despite your income potential, you will get paid to travel.
Typically, flight attendants receive a plethora of exclusive financial incentives, including discounts on duty-free shopping, gym memberships, and family-friendly airfare.
Miner
Average annual salary: $84,290
Miners extract materials including coal, iron, and ore while working underground. They also work on planning and constructing the routes that move minerals into and out of the mines. Due to the hazardous conditions they work in underground and the potential for harm from explosives, the job is relatively perilous. Miners can work without a degree, but most often need a high school graduation. College programs are also offered to Canadians who are interested in this line of work.
Translators
Average annual salary: $ 47,053
Translators translate textual or spoken content between different languages. Making ensuring the translation conveys the same meaning and tone as the source is the aim. Translators might be asked to proofread, create subtitles for videos, interpret content, and mediate disputes amongst speakers of different languages.
Being a translator doesn’t require a college degree, though it would be helpful to have one in a certain language.
