How to earn above minimum wage in Canada: 7 trending sectors for international students
The dream of studying and working in Canada is closer than you think. In 2025, the Canadian market offers exceptional opportunities for international students who wish to reconcile professional qualification with above average compensation. Learn about the sectors that hire the most and how you can prepare to win these vacancies.
The Canadian job market for international students
Canada reaffirms its position as one of the most attractive destinations for international students, not only for its educational quality, but also for its excellent professional opportunities. With a projection of 1.1 million international students in 2025, the country has implemented policies that facilitate the inclusion of these talents in the local labor market. Os Public College programs in Canada stand out for allowing students to work up to 24 hours a week during the academic period and full time during the holidays.
The new PGWP (Postgraduate Work Permit) guidelines prioritize strategic areas such as Health, STEM, and Trades, creating a more direct path for those seeking not only temporary experience, but also possibilities for permanent immigration. This combination of quality study and real job opportunities makes Canada an ideal destination for those who wish to build an international career.
Qualified offices, administration and customer service
The Canadian market presents a critical shortage of professionals in specific sectors, creating exceptional opportunities for international students. Discover the first three sectors that hire the most in 2025:
- Qualified Trades: Demand for specialized technical professionals reaches record levels in Canada, especially in Ontario. Heavy equipment mechanics, for example, receive between CAD $30.50 and $47.40 per hour, amounts significantly above the minimum wage. The scarcity of qualified labor transforms this sector into fertile ground for international students with technical training.
- Business administration: Representing the largest enrollment field for international students (113,418 in 2020/21), this area offers excellent prospects. Administrative Manager positions pay between CAD $56,800 and $104,800 annually. The sector accounts for 27% of the study permits issued between 2018 and 2023, demonstrating its continued relevance.
- Customer service: Included in the list of jobs in high demand, this sector offers excellent opportunities for international students with good communication skills. Positions such as Inside Sales Manager can pay between CAD $48,200 and $133,000 a year, depending on experience and qualification.
Finance, Accounting, and Health: Expanding Sectors
The Canadian financial sector stands out as one of the most robust and stable in the world, creating an extremely favorable environment for international students seeking lucrative opportunities. Positions in finance and accounting, an important sub-sector of the business area, offer some of the most attractive compensation in the market. A Chief Financial Officer, for example, may receive between CAD $96,700 and $263,000 annually. Even in entry-level positions, compensation remains consistently above the minimum wage, with excellent growth prospects for qualified professionals.
The health area emerges as another priority sector in Canada, with alarming projections of a shortage of professionals: 78,000 doctors and 117,600 nurses by 2031. This reality creates an extremely favorable scenario for international students with training in the area. The Canadian government has implemented specific policies to facilitate the integration of these professionals, a visible prioritization in the programs of Private College in Canada - Co-op. Pharmacists, for example, can earn between CAD $78,300 and $160,000 annually, while other medical specialties offer even more significant remuneration. Despite representing only 6% of study permits between 2018 and 2023, growing demand points to a promising future in this sector.
Engineering, Design, and Technology: The Future of Work in Canada
Technological areas represent the vanguard of the Canadian labor market, combining high demand with excellent compensation. These sectors offer some of the best opportunities for international students in 2025:
- Engineering and Design: With a high enrollment rate (55,608 international students in 2020/21), this sector maintains constant demand in construction and technology. Continuous Improvement Engineers, for example, can receive between CAD $101,400 and $201,800 annually. Brazilian technical training is particularly valued in this sector.
- Information Technology: The digital explosion created an unprecedented demand for IT professionals in Canada. Cloud architects can earn between CAD $115,000 and $190,000 a year. The technology sector is considered critical to the Canadian economy, with specific policies to attract international talent.
- Computing and Development: Professionals specialized in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, and software development find a hot and receptive market. Even in entry-level positions, compensation remains significantly above the Canadian minimum wage.
- Cyber Security: With growing concern about digital security, specialists in this area are among the highest-paid professionals in Canada, with starting salaries above CAD $80,000 annually.
Tax benefits and Canadian work environment
The Canadian tax system offers significant advantages for international students. During your study period, you can benefit from various tax deductions, including education and housing expenses. The work environment in the country is recognized for its inclusive culture based on meritocracy, where professionals are valued for their competencies regardless of nationality. Canadian companies value work-life balance, with well-defined working hours and respect for rest periods, creating an ideal environment for those seeking professional development without sacrificing quality of life.
Tips to stand out in the Canadian labor market
To capture job opportunities with compensation above the minimum wage in Canada, some strategies can make all the difference in your journey. Develop skills that are highly valued in the Canadian market, such as specific technical knowledge, fluency in English (and French, if possible), and ability to solve complex problems. Build a network of professional contacts from the start of your studies by attending industry events, career fairs, and networking groups. Seek practical experiences through internships and volunteer work related to your field, demonstrating commitment and familiarity with the Canadian professional environment. Adapt your curriculum and portfolio to the format and expectations of the local market, highlighting your achievements and competencies in an objective and quantifiable way.
Be Easy
A Be Easy offers full support to make your dream of studying and working in Canada a reality. Our exchange programs include personalized guidance on the most promising sectors, help in choosing the ideal course aligned with the labor market, and assistance throughout the professional adaptation process. Count on our experience to safely navigate this new chapter of your international career. Get in touch today and discover how we can facilitate your journey to success in Canada!
