According to a report published by RBC in March of this year, nearly 500,000 Canadian women left the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic and have not returned to work. Furthermore, an additional 200,000 women have fallen into the category of long-term unemployment.
The Canadian employment landscape is difficult for women to navigate right now, and issues like the gender pay gap (women currently earn, on average, 76.8 cents for every dollar men earn) make it even more challenging.
The good news, though, is that there are still high-paying jobs available for women in Canada to consider. This guide breaks down some of the top careers for women in Canada to consider, based on salary, growth potential, and job satisfaction.
If you’re looking for more information that’s relevant to Canadian job seekers, you can check out this article on the most in-demand jobs in Canada, too.
What Are the Top 10 High-Paying Careers for Women in Canada?
When searching for jobs in Canada, one of the top priorities for most women is salary. If this is true for you, consider one of these options. Listed below are the 10 top high-paying careers for women in Canada:
Job Description: CEOs sit at the head of various companies and make high-level decisions for all their employees, as well as the business overall.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: CEO is one of the top jobs for women in Canada, particularly those who value independence and want to run their own business.
Average Salary: $147,469 per year
Job Description: Pharmacists are in charge of dispensing prescriptions and advising patients on over-the-counter medications.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: A career as a pharmacist is a high-paying choice (one of the highest-paying, in fact) for women who want to work in the healthcare field.
Average Salary: $104,000 per year
Job Description: Lawyers advise clients and represent them in court.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: It takes a lot of work to become a lawyer, but this is still a great career for women who have a passion for the law and aren’t afraid of a few sleepless nights.
Average Salary: $115,166 per year
Job Description: Computer and information systems managers are in charge of analyzing organizations’ computer/technology needs and making recommendations for improvements when necessary.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: This is one of the highest-paying careers in tech, so it’s a great option for women who want to work in a STEM field and be compensated well for their time and efforts.
Average Salary: $102,578 per year
Job Description: Physicians diagnose and treat patients.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: Of all the Canada jobs for women with high salary, a career as a physician is one of the best options, particularly for those who want to work in the healthcare field.
Average Salary: $144,148 per year
Job Description: Nurse practitioners work alongside other healthcare professionals to diagnose patients, write prescriptions, and create treatment plans.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: A career as a nurse practitioner is a great option for women who want to work in healthcare and earn a higher-than-average salary.
Average Salary: $92,631 per year
Job Description: Human resources managers oversee various personnel matters for businesses, including hiring, onboarding, and firing.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: For women who want to work in the business sector, a career as a human resources manager is an excellent choice that provides a chance to develop leadership skills.
Average Salary: $79,350 per year
Job Description: Marketing managers oversee marketing teams, helping them to develop and execute campaigns for various products and services.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: A career as a marketing manager is another good, high-paying choice for women who want to be part of the business sector but still do a creative job.
Average Salary: $78,000 per year
Job Description: Education administrators oversee school staff, create curricula, and manage school budgets.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: A career as an education administrator is a high-paying and fulfilling career choice for women who want to work in education but also want to maximize their earning potential.
Average Salary: $115,000 per year
Job Description: Market analysts gather and analyze data on consumers and competitors for various businesses.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: This is another example of great Canada jobs for women with high salary; market analysts play a crucial role in keeping businesses running smoothly and maximizing their profitability.
Average Salary: $61,193 per year
What Are the Top 10 High-Growth Careers for Women in Canada?
When searching for the best jobs for women in Canada, another factor to consider is growth potential.
Will there be opportunities for you to rise up and earn promotions? Does this job offer a good amount of security for the future?
If these things are important to you, here are 10 high-growth careers you might want to think about pursuing:
Job Description: Registered nurses work alongside physicians and other healthcare practitioners to support patients.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: This is one of the best careers for women in Canada, not only because it pays well, but because it comes with a high level of job security.
Average Salary: $85,000 per year
Job Description: College and vocational school instructors teach various courses and provide students with the support they need to graduate.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: For women who are interested in education but want to work with an older population, this is a great career that will likely always be in high demand.
Average Salary: $78,894 per year
Job Description: Business management consultants conduct analyses and provide recommendations to help businesses be more successful and profitable.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: For women who work in business and want to support other business owners, this is an excellent career and one that will be needed as long as businesses continue to open and require assistance.
Average Salary: $76,024 per year
Job Description: Licensed Practical Nurses (or LPNs) assist registered nurses and physicians to care for patients.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: This is a great career for women who want to work in healthcare and want to get their careers started right away (LPNs require less schooling than other nurses).
Average Salary: $54,704 per year
Job Description: Occupational therapy assistants work alongside occupational therapists to help them care for patients as they learn to carry out everyday tasks independently.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: This is one of the best careers for women in Canada that is rewarding and comes with a high level of job security.
Average Salary: $47,840 per year
Job Description: Software engineers are responsible for designing and creating software programs for various businesses and entrepreneurs.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: For women who want a long-lasting career in tech, a job as a software engineer is a great choice.
Average Salary: $90,000 per year
Job Description: Aerospace engineers design and carry out the development of various projects that help the aerospace engineering industry to grow and thrive.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: Aerospace engineers earn a high salary and have a high level of job security, especially as the aerospace industry continues to expand.
Average Salary: $81,993 per year
Job Description: Psychologists work with clients to help them overcome various mental health challenges.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: A career as a psychologist provides a great deal of job security, especially since people are dealing with mental health issues at a higher rate than ever before. This makes it a great choice for women who want to make a difference in other people’s lives.
Average Salary: $83,200 per year
Job Description: Veterinarians care for clients’ sick and injured pets. They also provide preventative care, such as vaccinations, when needed.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: For women who love animals and want to work closely with them, this is an excellent career that will likely always be in high demand.
Average Salary: $77,500 per year
Job Description: Dispensing opticians help clients to select, order, and fit glasses and contact lenses.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: This is one of the top high-growth careers for women in Canada. As the need for corrective lenses continues to grow, so will the need for more opticians moving forward.
Average Salary: $49,920 per year
What Are the Top 10 Most Rewarding Careers for Women Working in Canada?
The best jobs for women in Canada don’t just pay well and have high growth potential. They’re also rewarding. The following are 10 of the most rewarding, fulfilling careers for women in Canada to consider:
Job Description: CEOs sit at the head of various companies and make high-level decisions for all their employees, as well as the business overall.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: Because CEOs oversee businesses and enjoy a lot of responsibility, their careers are often highly rewarding.
Average Salary: $147,469 per year
Job Description: Entrepreneurs launch and run their own businesses.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: For women who value independence and want to sell their own products or services, a career as an entrepreneur is very fulfilling.
Average Salary: $70,000 per year
Job Description: Career counsellors advise students to help them choose the right career path.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: Working with students to help them feel more confident and excited about their futures is rewarding for most people, including women who are seeking employment.
Average Salary: $54,659 per year
Job Description: Industrial designers are responsible for developing concepts for various manufactured products, such as cars and appliances.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: For women who are interested in design and want a creative and lucrative career, this is a rewarding and exciting option.
Average Salary: $60,000 per year
Job Description: Physiotherapists assist patients who are recovering from surgeries, illnesses, and accidents so they can improve their mobility and quality of life.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: This is one of the most rewarding careers for women working in Canada because they get to help patients reclaim their lives and live independently once more.
Average Salary: $80,000 per year
Job Description: Occupational therapists work with patients who are disabled or injured to help them perform activities of daily living with ease.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: Like physiotherapy, occupational therapy is highly rewarding and gives women an opportunity to help others enjoy a higher quality of life.
Average Salary: $80,505 per year
Job Description: Dentists work with patients to help them improve their oral health.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: This is a rewarding healthcare-related career for women that also provides a high salary.
Average Salary: $163,243 per year
Job Description: Dental hygienists work alongside dentists to help them care for patients and keep their practices running smoothly.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: This is another high-paying and fulfilling career for women that doesn’t require as much schooling as a career in dentistry does.
Average Salary: $70,000 per year
Job Description: Chiropractors perform adjustments to align patients’ spines and help them improve their health, mobility, and overall wellness.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: A career as a chiropractor is a great choice for women who want to work in the holistic health field and have a positive impact on other people’s lives.
Average Salary: $60,898 per year
Job Description: Speech-language pathologists work with clients who are struggling with pronunciation and speech impediments.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Canada: This is one of the top careers for women in Canada who want to work with others and help them improve their quality of life.
Average Salary: $97,585 per year
How to Get Started in One of the Top Careers for women in Canada?
Are you ready to land one of the top jobs for women in Canada?
Now that you know what kinds of careers to search for if salary, job growth, and fulfilment are important to you, here are some bonus tips to keep in mind. They’ll help you ace your interview and increase your chances of getting hired:
Take a Refresher Course
If it’s been a while since you’ve worked, consider taking a refresher course to sharpen your skills and boost your confidence.
Enhance Your CV
Update your CV, too, so you can fill in any gaps and make sure you’re sending the most accurate document to potential employers.
Practice for Job Interviews
Practice answering commonly asked job interview questions before the big day arrives. You should practice the questions you want to ask the hiring manager, too (yes, you should ask questions when they ask if there’s anything you want to know).
Get the Proper Documentation
To work in Canada as an expat, you will need a work permit. To get a work permit, you’ll need valid travel documents, photos of yourself, and proof that you meet the requirements for your prospective job.
Final Thoughts on the Top Careers for Women in Canada
When you first begin the process of searching for (or applying for) one of the top careers for women in Canada, it’s easy to feel nervous or unsure of where to start. If you keep the information outlined above in mind, though, you’ll have an easier time finding positions that pay well, provide job security for the future, and are highly rewarding.
If you need more help finding jobs for women in Canada, GrabJobs’ free search tool is easy to use and will narrow down your search in no time. Check it out today.
