10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Canada Without a Degree

Earning a university degree isn’t the only path to building a stable career.

Our High-Paying, No-Degree Canadian Jobs Report features data from the Government of Canada’s Open Government Portal and features the 10 highest-paying jobs that don’t require a degree.

Whether you’re just entering the workforce or thinking about a career change, here are some well-paying, in-demand jobs across the country that don’t require a degree:

1. Air traffic controller

• Median annual salary: $114,000
• Median hourly wage: $54.88

Air traffic controllers sit at radar screens in control rooms and towers, telling pilots when to take off, land, and which routes to fly. It’s not uncommon to be managing dozens of planes at once, so the job demands intense focus and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

How to become one

You need a high school diploma, then apply to NAV CANADA — the company that manages Canada’s air navigation system. If you’re selected, they put you through their own paid training program covering classroom learning, flight simulators, and supervised on-the-job experience. You’ll also need a radio operator’s licence, which is a short exam that certifies you to communicate on aviation radio systems.

Job outlook (2025–2027)

Hiring is controlled centrally by NAV CANADA rather than by individual provinces, so the outlook varies widely across the country. Alberta and Manitoba currently have the strongest demand for this role.

2. Airline pilot

• Median annual salary: $108,000
• Median hourly wage: $52.00

What they do

Commercial pilots fly aircraft for airlines, cargo companies, charter services, and government operations like search and rescue and medical evacuations.

How to become one

After being admitted into a Transport Canada-approved flying school, you’ll do ground school (classroom theory on navigation, weather, and aviation rules) alongside practical flight lessons.

A commercial pilot licence requires at least 200 hours of flight time, and an airline transport pilot licence requires 1,500 hours. Most pilots build their hours first as flight instructors or by flying remote routes in rural Canada before moving to commercial airlines.

Job outlook (2025–2027)

Demand is strong in Ontario and Alberta, making them the most promising provinces for pilots entering the field. Quebec and BC have weaker outlooks, so it’s worth factoring in this information before choosing where to train.

3. Mining & quarrying supervisor

• Median annual salary: $105,500
• Median hourly wage: $50.62

What they do

Mining supervisors run the daily operations of underground or open-pit mining crews. They’re responsible for managing workers, coordinating heavy equipment, overseeing drilling and blasting, and keeping everyone safe. On remote northern sites, it’s common to be in charge of crews who live on-site for weeks at a time.

How to become one

You’ll start as a labourer or equipment operator and work your way up over five to ten years. To reach supervisor level, you’ll need a mine rescue certificate (emergency response training) and, in some provinces, a mine foreman certificate. Search “[your province] mine foreman certificate” to find what’s required in your area.

Job outlook (2025–2027)

The outlook is solid across most major provinces, with Quebec standing out as the strongest market thanks to being one of the largest mining sectors in the country.

4. Railway locomotive engineer

• Median annual salary: $104,000
• Median hourly wage: $50.00

What they do

Locomotive engineers drive freight and passenger trains across Canada. They monitor track conditions, control speed and braking, and stay in contact with dispatchers. A fully loaded freight train can take over a kilometre to stop, so the role carries real responsibility. Shifts often include nights, weekends, and long-distance routes.

How to become one

Rail companies, including CN, CP Rail, and Via Rail, hire candidates with just a high school diploma and pay for all the training themselves. You’ll go through classroom learning, simulator training, and supervised hours on a real train. Once you’ve completed the program, Transport Canada — Canada’s federal transport regulator — certifies you to operate in Canadian rail.

Job outlook (2025–2027)

Demand is strong across all four major provinces, giving this role one of the most geographically consistent outlooks on the entire list.

5. Oil & gas drilling supervisor

• Median annual salary: $104,000
• Median hourly wage: $50.00

What they do

Drilling supervisors (sometimes called wellsite supervisors) manage oil and gas drilling operations on behalf of the company that owns the well. They oversee the rig crew, monitor conditions underground, and make quick decisions when things change. You’ll need to work in remote areas, with most positions involving two to four weeks on-site followed by equal time off.

How to become one

You’ll start working first as a roughneck (essentially a general labourer) and work your way up through more senior roles over roughly a decade. Along the way, you’ll need H2S Alive certification (a safety course for working around hydrogen sulphide, a toxic gas common on oil and gas sites) and a Wellsite Supervisor certification from an industry training body.

Job outlook (2025–2027)

Among the four major provinces, this career is effectively concentrated in Alberta, where the oil and gas industry is most active. In Ontario, Quebec, and most other provinces, there’s very little activity in this field.

6. Power engineer

• Median annual salary: $102,500
• Median hourly wage: $49.23

What they do

Power engineers operate the boilers, turbines, compressors, and other large mechanical systems that generate heat and power in hospitals, universities, factories, and refineries. Because these facilities run around the clock, shift work is the norm. The job involves monitoring equipment, carrying out maintenance, and responding quickly when something goes wrong.

How to become one

It’s a licensed trade, which means you need an official certificate from your province to work in the field. You’ll begin with a 4th Class Power Engineering certificate from a technical college, which typically takes a few months.

From there, you’ll work your way up through 3rd, 2nd, and 1st Class certifications as you gain experience, with each level unlocking more complex (and better-paid) work. Search “Power Engineering certificate [your province]” to find a program near you.

Job outlook (2025–2027)

Ontario has the strongest outlook for this role, where most of the large industrial and institutional facilities are concentrated. Alberta’s outlook is surprisingly weak given its large industrial sector, which is worth considering if you’re deciding where to train or work.

7. Pipefitting & sprinkler contractor-supervisor

• Median annual salary: $100,000
• Median hourly wage: $48.10

What they do

Pipefitting supervisors lead the crews that install and maintain pipes carrying water, steam, gas, and chemicals through industrial plants and large buildings. Sprinkler fitters do the same for fire suppression systems. Day to day, it means reading engineering blueprints, checking that work meets safety codes, managing crews and materials, and keeping projects on schedule.

How to become one

You’ll need to complete a paid pipefitter apprenticeship, which is four to five years of on-the-job training combined with classroom study.

To register, search “[your province] pipefitter apprenticeship” to find your province’s trades office. At the end, you’ll pass a national exam to earn the Red Seal, a qualification recognised in every province, so you can work anywhere in Canada without having to re-qualify.

Job outlook (2025–2027)

Pipefitting has the most consistent outlook of any job on this list, with at least a Moderate rating in every major province and a Good rating in Alberta.

8. Power system electrician

• Median annual salary: $97,000
• Median hourly wage: $46.55

What they do

Power system electricians work on the high-voltage infrastructure that carries electricity from power stations to homes and businesses, such as transmission towers, large substations, and industrial transformers. It’s a different job from a standard electrician who wires buildings, and it comes with strict safety requirements given the voltages involved.

How to become one

After completing a standard electrician apprenticeship of four to five years, you’ll finish additional training in high-voltage systems. Some provinces have a separate Power Line Technician designation for this work.

The main employers are provincial utilities like BC Hydro, Hydro One in Ontario, SaskPower, and ATCO in Alberta, and they typically provide substantial extra training once you’re hired.

Job outlook (2025–2027)

Ontario has the strongest outlook for this role, driven by utility hiring from companies like Hydro One. Alberta has a moderate outlook, while Quebec and BC are weaker markets for power system electricians.

9. Firefighter

• Median annual salary: $95,000
• Median hourly wage: $45.79

What they do

Firefighters respond to fires, medical emergencies, and other crises. They’re also responsible for fire prevention work, equipment maintenance, and community education. It’s a physically demanding career that suits people who want variety in their day and are drawn to public service.

How to become one

You’ll need a high school diploma and typically a college diploma in fire science or a related field. From there, you complete fire service training administered by your city or province that covers firefighting techniques, emergency medical response, and rescue operations.

Most departments also require candidates to pass physical fitness and medical assessments as part of the application process. It’s a competitive field, so getting relevant experience (such as volunteering with a fire department) can increase your prospects.

Job outlook (2025–2027)

Firefighting has one of the strongest outlooks on this list, with a Good rating in Ontario and BC and a “Moderate” rating in Quebec and Alberta.

10. Elevator constructor & mechanic

• Median annual salary: $93,500
• Median hourly wage: $45.00

What they do

Elevator constructors and mechanics install, maintain, and repair elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. The work often involves confined spaces and heights, and it comes with strong union protections on pay and working conditions.

How to become one

Entry is through a four-year union apprenticeship run by the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) jointly with elevator companies. After completing the apprenticeship, you’ll need a provincial licence, since this work is regulated in every province.

The best way in is to contact your nearest IUEC union hall directly — these positions are rarely advertised publicly. Search “IUEC Local [your city]” to find the right contact.

Job outlook (2025–2027)

The outlook is “Moderate” across all four major provinces, reflecting steady demand tied to high-rise construction and building maintenance in Canada’s largest cities.

How to land a high-paying job in Canada without a degree

Landing a high-paying job without a degree takes a clear plan. Here’s where to start:

1. Find the exact credential you need and work backwards

You don’t need a university degree to land a high-paying job in Canada, but you do need skills that match what employers are looking for. Certificate programs, college diplomas, and trade training can help you build job-ready skills in a much shorter time.

In fact, many of these programs are designed in partnership with the industry so you can start earning sooner, without the time and debt of a four-year degree.

First, find out which credentials you need and build your plan accordingly. Here’s where to begin for some of the most in-demand trades and technical careers:

• Red Seal trades (pipefitting, electrician work): register with your provincial trades authority — e.g., SaskSkilledTrades, Ontario College of Trades, Alberta Apprenticeship
• Power engineering: SAIT, NAIT, BCIT, and most provincial polytechnics offer 4th Class entry programs
• Railway: apply directly to CN, CP Rail, or Via Rail and ask about their intake programs — training is free and paid
• Aviation: look at transport Canada’s website lists approved flying schools by province
• Air traffic control: watch NAV CANADA’s careers page directly — intake windows are irregular
• Elevator mechanics: contact your nearest IUEC Local directly

Many of these programs are recognized across provinces and help you meet licensing requirements in regulated industries.

2. Check your province’s outlook before committing to a path

The provincial data in this article is worth taking seriously before you sign up for training. Pipefitting is strong almost everywhere. Petroleum process operations look weak in most provinces except Alberta. Power engineers are in demand in NL, NB, ON, and SK — but not in Alberta, surprisingly.

If you have any flexibility on where you live, align your career choice with where the jobs actually are.

You can check the current outlook for any occupation at Job Bank’s Labour Market Information tool — it’s free and uses the same data as this article.

3. Grow your skills through hands-on experience

In competitive job markets, experience is just as important as education, especially if you’re not coming in with a degree. You can start by taking on internships, co-op placements, personal projects, or volunteering in the field you’re interested in. Even working part-time in a related area while in training can help you build skills and confidence.

Try reaching out to small businesses, community organizations, or startups and offering to help — you’ll be surprised how often people are open to giving you a chance if you show initiative. Over time, this kind of experience can speak louder than a diploma ever could.

4. Expand your network through outreach

In Canada, a strong professional network can be one of your biggest assets, especially when it comes to landing high-paying jobs. Many roles are filled through referrals or community connections before they’re ever posted online. That’s why learning how to reach out and build relationships is just as important as building your resume.

Here are a few ways to grow your network in a meaningful way:

• Attend local networking events, job fairs, and industry panels
• Connect with professionals on LinkedIn and ask for short, informal chats or informational interviews
• Join online groups or forums related to your field — many Canadian industries have active Slack groups, Facebook communities, or LinkedIn spaces
• Volunteer with organizations or events that align with your career goals to meet people and gain experience
• Follow up with people you meet and stay in touch — even a quick message after an event can go a long way

The Canadian job market is often built on trust and relationships. Showing initiative, being genuine, and staying engaged can help you stand out and get recommended for roles you might not have found on your own.

Methodology

The data for this study was sourced from the Government of Canada’s Open Government Portal and Job Bank. The focus was on occupations not requiring a university degree — ranging from a high school diploma to a college certificate. Our selection required a minimum Canadian median annual salary of $90,000 and a clear, established non-degree entry pathway.

Salary figures come from the 2025 wage open data file published by Employment and Social Development Canada. Where wages were reported as hourly, we converted them to annual figures using 2,080 hours per year (40 hours per week, 52 weeks). Jobs were ranked from highest to lowest median annual salary. Where jobs share the same median salary, they were ordered by overall national outlook strength.

Employment outlook ratings come from the Job Bank 2025–2027 outlook file, released in December 2025. Outlooks are shown for Canada’s four most populous provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and BC), which together cover approximately 86% of the population. We used the most recent data available to ensure the analysis reflects current labour market conditions as closely as possible.

Limitations

This study is limited to occupations in Canada and may not reflect global trends. Salary data reflects 2025 figures and will change over time. The hourly-to-annual conversion assumes full-time hours, and actual earnings may differ for shift or seasonal workers. Provincial outlooks cover 2025–2027 only and don’t predict longer-term structural changes in the labour market.

Sources

• Government of Canada, Open Government Portal & Job Bank
• Government of Canada, Wages & 3-Year Employment Outlooks
• Red Seal Program — Employment and Social Development Canada

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