Highest Paying Jobs in Canada 2026: Top Salaries, Sectors & How to Land One
Canada's job market in 2026 offers lucrative opportunities for skilled professionals, especially in healthcare, tech, finance, and trades. With projections showing steady demand in essential sectors amid cooling vacancy rates (down 18.1% year-over-year in Q1 2025), high earners can expect salary growth of 3-7% in booming fields. This guide uncovers the top 20+ highest-paying jobs, provincial breakdowns, and actionable steps for job seekers, career changers, immigrants, and students targeting six-figure (or multi-million) careers. Whether you're eyeing elite medical roles, remote tech gigs, or blue-collar trades, we'll cover forecasts, demand, skills, and real-world realities like taxes and housing costs.
The Best Paying Job in Canada 2026 (Quick Answer)
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100) top the list as Canada's highest-paying job on average, with salaries ranging from $275,000 to $340,000 annually. These medical professionals, including pathologists and diagnostic experts, outpace even surgeons and family physicians per NOC 2021 data from Statistics Canada. Peaks hit $339,938 nationally, driven by shortages and complex diagnostics.
For context, here's the top 5 (averages adjusted for 2026 forecasts with 3-5% growth):
| Rank | Job (NOC) | Average Salary (CAD) | Top Provinces | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Specialists in clinical/lab medicine (31100) | $275k–$340k | Ontario, BC | NOC data: $333k–$340k peaks; beats CEOs on average pay |
| 2 | CEOs/Executives (00011–00015) | $205k–$7M+ (peaks) | Ontario (Toronto) | Shopify CEO: $205M; avg high-end $7M+ per CCPA |
| 3 | General practitioners/family physicians (31102) | $218k–$385k | BC, Ontario | NTP BC: $275k + $10k bonus; roster-based $385k |
| 4 | Surgeons/Anesthesiologists | $250k–$400k+ | Ontario, Quebec | Low overhead (13%); bonuses push $500k |
| 5 | IT Managers (20012) | $130k–$150k | Toronto, Vancouver | $136k national avg; tech growth 3-4% |
Note: Averages from NOC/immigration.ca vs. CCPA CEO peaks show specialists win on reliability, while CEO comp is volatile (e.g., $7,812/hour for top earners).
Key Takeaways: Highest Paying Jobs & Salaries in Canada 2026
- Healthcare dominates: Specialists $275k–$340k; surgeons/anesthesiologists $250k+; family doctors $218k–$385k; demand rising for nurses/pharmacists.
- CEOs peak highest: $7M+ for top 100 (e.g., Shopify's $205M), but averages lower at $127k–$205k for senior managers.
- Tech boom: IT managers $136k Toronto; software engineers $100k–$150k Vancouver; AI/ML +18-25% growth.
- Finance stars: Investment bankers $350k+ total comp (e.g., Canadian banks NYC $350k–$400k).
- Trades surge: Oil rig/blue-collar $85k–$105k; construction managers $100k+; +7.7% wage growth, 40k trucking vacancies by 2030.
- Other elites: Dentists/pharmacists $90k–$150k; petroleum engineers Alberta $130k+; actuaries/pilots $100k–$140k.
- Projections: Healthcare/trades lead demand; tech salaries +3-4%; entry nurses $75k–$105k.
- Regional highs: Ontario tech/health; Alberta oil; BC doctors.
- Accessibility: Blue-collar quickest entry; medical longest (10+ years).
- Realities: 50%+ taxes for high earners; housing 32-50% income in Toronto/Vancouver.
- Immigrant edge: TEER 0-2 jobs prioritize Express Entry PR.
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Canada 2026 (Ranked by Average Salary)
| Rank | Job | Avg Salary (CAD) | Demand | Entry Path | Key Cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinical/Lab Medicine Specialists | $275k–$340k | High | MD + residency | Toronto, Vancouver |
| 2 | CEOs/Senior Execs | $127k–$7M+ | Variable | MBA/exec track | Toronto |
| 3 | Family Physicians | $218k–$385k | Critical | Medical school | BC (NTP $275k+) |
| 4 | Surgeons/Anesthesiologists | $250k–$400k+ | High | Specialization | Ontario |
| 5 | Dentists | $100k–$150k | Steady | DDS + licensing | Nationwide |
| 6 | Pharmacists | $90k–$140k | High | PharmD | Urban centers |
| 7 | Petroleum Engineers (Alberta) | $130k+ | Oil-dependent | Engineering degree | Calgary |
| 8 | IT Managers (Toronto) | $136k | Booming | Certifications (PMP +35%) | Toronto |
| 9 | Software Engineers (Vancouver) | $100k–$150k | Top 15% demand | Bootcamps/degrees | Vancouver |
| 10 | Investment Bankers | $350k+ TC | Competitive | Finance MBA | Toronto/Montreal |
Case: Shopify CEO Tobias Lütke's $205M (2024 data, projected similar) vs. NOC family physician $385k shows peaks vs. averages. RAG variances: NOC $218k base vs. $385k roster models.
Healthcare Dominates: Doctors, Surgeons, Anesthesiologists & More
Healthcare claims 80% of top spots. Specialists average $275k–$340k (NOC peaks $339k); family docs $218k–$385k (BC NTP $275k+$10k bonus). Surgeons/anesthesiologists hit $400k+ with low 13% overhead. Provincial: Ontario/BC highest; Quebec blended models. Demand surges for nurse practitioners ($105k+).
Tech & Finance High Earners: IT Managers, Software Engineers, Bankers
IT managers $136k Toronto (NOC); software Vancouver $100k–$150k (top 15% demand). Bankers $350k+ TC (e.g., Canadian banks $400k VP). Growth: Cybersecurity/AI +18-25%.
Blue-Collar & Trades: Oil Rig Workers, Construction Managers
Trades average $85k–$105k (+7.7% YoY); oil rigs Alberta $105k+; construction $100k. No degree needed; 40k logistics vacancies by 2030.
Highest Paying Job Sectors in Canada 2026 (Forecast & Projections)
Healthcare #1 (steady, not law/medicine per Narcity--trades surprise at #1 wage growth 7.7%). Tech: 3-4% growth, AI +18-25%. Trades: +7.1-7.7%; trucking +40k jobs. Finance stable; oil volatile. Nurses/pharmacists top in-demand.
Salaries by Province: Ontario vs BC vs Quebec 2026 (Average & High-End)
| Province | Avg High-End Salary | Top Jobs | Living Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $150k+ | Tech/IT ($136k Toronto), Health | High (housing 50% income) | Tech/health hub |
| BC | $140k+ | Doctors ($275k NTP), Software ($150k Van) | Very high housing | Affordable taxes low-end |
| Quebec | $130k+ | Surgeons, Finance | Moderate | Blended pay models |
| Alberta | $130k+ | Petroleum engineers/oil rigs | Lower housing | Oil-dependent |
Ontario leads tech/health; BC high but housing negates (32-50% income); Alberta oil perks; Quebec affordable.
Entry-Level, Remote & Blue-Collar High-Payers: Best Options for Beginners
- Entry: Nurses $75k–$105k (4-6 years); software devs $90k.
- Remote: Customer service/data entry $75k+; tech support; apply 8-11AM EST.
- Blue-collar: Trades $85k–$105k; quick certs.
Checklist: Target high-demand; avoid scams (no check-wiring).
Pros & Cons: Medical Careers vs Tech/Engineering vs Trades in Canada
| Path | Pros | Cons | Gender Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical ($300k+) | Stable, high demand | 10+ years training, debt | Low |
| Tech ($130k) | Remote/flexible, quick entry | Volatile | Women 90-98% men |
| Trades ($100k) | Fast entry, no degree | Physical risks | Women <80-82% men |
Factors Affecting High Salaries: Taxes, Living Costs & Demand Drivers
High earners face 50%+ marginal taxes (BC). Housing: 32% national avg, 50% Toronto/Vancouver (IMF: 27.5% lower buying power vs. US). Affordable: Moncton/Saskatchewan (low PST 6%). Case: Top CEO $7,812/hour equiv, but net ~half after taxes/housing.
How to Land a Top-Paying Job in Canada 2026: Step-by-Step Checklist
- Target TEER 0-2: Doctors, IT, trades for Express Entry PR.
- Certifications: PMP +35% pay; AI/cybersecurity.
- Provinces: Ontario/BC/AB demand.
- Immigrants: Study in Canada; grads get PR edge.
- Network: LinkedIn/recruiters 8-11AM.
- Upskill: AI/healthcare/trades.
Skills & Certifications for Highest Paying Careers 2026
- Healthcare: MD/residency.
- Tech: AI/ML, cybersecurity (+18-25% growth).
- Trades: Electrician certs.
- General: PMP; tech investments +20% productivity.
FAQ
What are the top 3 highest paying jobs in Canada 2026?
Clinical/lab specialists ($275k–$340k), CEOs ($7M+ peaks), family physicians ($218k–$385k).
Medical doctor salary Canada 2026?
$218k–$385k avg; specialists up to $340k.
Petroleum engineer pay in Alberta 2026?
$130k+; oil rigs $85k–$105k.
Best paying remote jobs Canada 2026?
IT/software $100k–$150k; customer service $75k+.
Highest paying blue collar jobs Canada 2026?
Trades/oil rigs $85k–$105k; construction $100k+.
Average salary by province Canada 2026 (Ontario vs BC)?
Ontario $150k+ high-end; BC $140k+ but higher costs.
Tax impact on high earners Canada 2026?
50%+ marginal; net take-home ~50% in high-cost cities.