What are the Top 20 Highest Paying Jobs in Vancouver? Find the most in-demand jobs in Canada and apply right away!
Vancouver, BC, like many other places around the world, saw a drop in GDP per capita in 2021. It fell by about 4%, but it is expected to rise by about 4.9 percent this year.
The city’s job market is looking promising, and equilibrium is on its way back. There are numerous job opportunities available in Vancouver, including many high-paying positions.
This guide will help you choose between some of the highest-paying jobs in Vancouver, whether you’re a student planning for the future or a seasoned worker looking to make a career change.
In Vancouver, what salary is considered wealthy?
In Vancouver, the average salary is around C$64,000. To be considered wealthy and live comfortably in this part of Canada, you would need to earn significantly more than this amount. A salary of C$80,000 to C$100,000 per year would most likely allow you to live comfortably.
Also Read: The Top 20 Job Sites in Canada You Should Know
For comparison, an average family of four living expenses (excluding rent) are slightly more than C$4,000 per month, while a single person’s living expenses are around C$1,100 per month. A salary of C$80,000 or more would easily cover that with room to spare.
What Is the Highest-Paying Job in Vancouver?
Surgeons are among the highest-paid professionals in Vancouver. They earn around C$478,000 per year on average, which is more than 7 times the city’s average.
For most people, it comes as no surprise that surgeons top the list of highest-paid jobs in Vancouver. After all, they have spent several years (and a significant amount of money) in school before beginning to practice, and they deserve to be fairly compensated for their time and effort.
If you don’t want to be a surgeon, there are plenty of other highest-paying jobs in Vancouver to consider. Among these are the following:
20. Developer
Average Annual Salary: C$81,194
19. Social Worker
Average Annual Salary: C$81,671
18. Physiotherapist
Average Annual Salary: C$85,155
17. Registered Nurse
Average Annual Salary: C$85,467
16. Pharmacist
Average Annual Salary: C$88,000
15. Dental Hygienist
Average Annual Salary: C$98,000
Average Annual Salary: C$110,000
Average Annual Salary: C$110,739
12. Dentist
Average Annual Salary: C$152,465
Average Annual Salary: C$172,000
10. Pilot
Average Annual Salary: C$191,000
Average Annual Salary: C$220,000
08. Orthodontist
Average Annual Salary: C$258,000
Average Annual Salary: C$268,000
Average Annual Salary: $287,000
05. Bank Manager
Average Annual Salary: C$306,000
04. Lawyer
Average Annual Salary: $325,000
03. Medical Director
Average Annual Salary: C$327,000
02. Judge
Average Annual Salary: C$402,000
01. Surgeon
Average Annual Salary: C$478,000
Vancouver’s Top 5 Highest-Paying Industries
Certain industries are known for paying more than others. If you know you want to work in a certain field but aren’t sure which of the best-paying jobs in Vancouver to pursue, here is a list of some of the highest-paying industries in Vancouver to consider:
- Healthcare
The healthcare industry in Vancouver is one of the highest-paying in the world, as it is in many other countries. If you want a job with a lot of job security and a high salary, there are a lot of great options in the medical field to consider. Here are three of the highest-paying jobs to consider:
Top Three Job Titles
- Surgeon: C$478,000 is the average salary.
- Average Salary for a Medical Director: C$327,000
- Orthodontist Salary: C$258,000 on average
Prospects for Employment
It makes no difference whether you want to work directly with patients as a surgeon, orthodontist, or registered nurse, or whether you prefer to work behind the scenes as an administrator or medical director. Whatever your preferred career path, there is a lot of money to be made in healthcare in Vancouver, as well as a lot of jobs to choose from. Prospects for workers in this industry appear to be very promising from all angles.
- Law
Another well-paying industry in Vancouver is the legal profession. Working in this field can pay well for judges, lawyers, legal consultants, and even paralegals. Given the amount of schooling these professionals must complete before they are qualified to practice, it stands to reason that they would be well compensated.
The three highest-paying positions to consider if you want to make a good living while working in the legal field are as follows:
Top Three Job Titles
- Average Salary for a Judge: C$402,000
- Lawyer: C$325,000 is the average salary.
- Average Salary for a Paralegal: C$79,738
Prospects for Employment
Prospects for a career in the legal field are not as bright as those in other industries. Although lawyers and other legal professionals are well compensated, the industry is highly competitive, and it can be difficult to find a job at all, let alone one with a high salary. This information should not deter those who are interested in the law from pursuing a career, but it is important to keep in mind, especially when the time comes to begin looking for work.
- Business Finance
Money-related careers are typically among the highest-paying options in any country or city. Vancouver is no different. Careers in finance are often very lucrative, with plenty of room for advancement over time, whether you pursue a career in investment banking or financial advice. If a high salary is important to you, here are some of the top finance-related careers to consider:
Top Three Job Titles
- Average Salary for a Bank Manager: C$306,000
- Chief Financial Officer: C$268,000 on average
- Average Salary for an Investment Banker: $80194
Prospects for Employment
In general, job prospects for those interested in working in the financial industry appear to be excellent. There is always a demand for talented, qualified individuals who can provide investment and money management advice (for individuals and businesses). Because there is so much room for advancement in this industry, there are numerous opportunities to advance.
You might not start out as a bank manager or CFO, but there’s a good chance you’ll get there.
- Information and communication technology
Information technology is one of the world’s and Vancouver’s fastest-growing industries. There are many high-paying jobs available in this field, and new positions are being added all the time at a variety of companies. If you’re interested in technology, computers, and web or app development and are looking for a career with a lot of room for advancement, the information technology industry is a great place to start.
Top Three Job Titles
- Average Salary for a Software Architect: C$110,000
- Average Salary for a Developer: C$81,194
- Average Salary for a Project Manager: C$80181
Prospects for Employment
Because this industry is rapidly expanding, there are numerous job opportunities available, ranging from entry-level positions to management and leadership positions. The information technology industry is a good one to consider if you’re looking for a job with a high salary and plenty of high-demand jobs. This industry, like many others on this list, has plenty of room for expansion.
- Building Construction
Another strong and rapidly growing industry in Vancouver is construction. Construction workers who can oversee and carry out private and public sector projects are always in demand. Many positions in the construction industry pay well, including the three listed below:
Top Three Job Titles
- The average salary for a construction manager is C$220,000.
- Foreman: C$92,326 on average
- Plumbers earn an average of C$82,323.
Prospects for Employment
Job opportunities in the construction industry appear to be excellent both now and in the future. After all, there will always be a need for skilled workers who can help with a variety of construction projects. One of the best things about construction jobs is that not all of them require a university degree. There are many well-paying jobs that require less education but still pay well, which is good news for those who want to be well-paid without having to spend several years in school before they can begin their careers.
Also Read: San Francisco’s Top 20 Highest Paying Jobs
The Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Vancouver for Freshers Graduates
Those who are currently enrolled in university and are unsure of which career path to take should be aware of the highest-paying jobs in Vancouver for recent graduates, rather than just the highest-paying industries in Vancouver.
Understandably, there is a lot of uncertainty out there when it comes to choosing the right career and charting a course that will lead to a high salary later on. But we’re here to try to clear things up.
The following are five of the best-paying jobs in Vancouver for students to consider after they graduate:
- Surgeon
To become a surgeon, you must devote a significant amount of time and effort. That time and effort will pay off for recent graduates, however, when they find a job at a hospital and begin earning a good salary. New surgeons can easily earn several hundred thousand dollars per year, with plenty of room for advancement (and, of course, raises) the longer they work in a particular hospital.
Students interested in becoming surgeons in Vancouver must first complete an undergraduate degree in medicine, followed by residency training through an accredited program. A surgeon must then complete an additional 5 years of training and exams before being certified as a specialist in their field.
A career in surgery is clearly not for the faint of heart. However, if you are willing to put in the effort now, you will be able to earn a lot of money when you graduate. Remember that talented medical professionals are always in demand, so your chances of getting hired after graduation appear to be excellent.
- Orthodontist
A career as an orthodontist is another excellent option for those who want to work in healthcare but do not want to be surgeons. Orthodontists can also make a lot of money right after graduating and starting a practice (or starting their own).
Orthodontists, like surgeons, must put in a lot of time and effort to earn their degrees and develop their skills. To become an orthodontist in Vancouver, you must first complete dental school, followed by additional studies in Orthodontics. After high school, it takes an average of 12 years to complete your education and begin practicing.
True, it takes a long time to graduate and begin working as an orthodontist. However, just like doctors and dentists, there is always a demand for orthodontists who can help people improve their smiles, so your job prospects look promising if you pursue this career path.
- Piloting
Pilots have more than just exciting jobs. They also have some that are very well compensated. If you want to make a lot of money after graduation, another good option to consider is an aviation career.
Pilots must complete 2,000 hours of fixed-wing flying time and a three or four-year aviation degree before they can begin working (and earning high salaries). They’ll also need to pass medical and vision tests, as well as gain more commercial or military flight experience, depending on the type of flying they want to do.
- Software Architect
Software architects are among the highest-paid information technology professionals in Vancouver, and they can earn a lot of money right out of school.
The typical path to becoming a software architect begins with obtaining a bachelor’s degree in computer science (though some people choose to pursue a master’s degree). You’ll need to gain experience in software development or computer programming, as well as learn the fundamentals of working with a development team, from here.
It doesn’t take as long to become a software architect as it does to become one of the other high-paying jobs on this list, and you can start earning a good living right away. If you want to make money right away and are good with technology, this is a great path to take.
- Social Worker
Social workers can also earn a good living right out of college. They may not be paid as much as surgeons, but they also do not have to spend as much time in school, and they still earn a higher-than-average salary in the Vancouver area.
If you’re considering a career in social work, keep in mind that you’ll need at least a Bachelor of Social Work degree (though some people choose to work toward a master’s or doctoral degree, as these advanced degrees can help them earn more money). Before you can begin your career, you must also complete supervised practice hours and pass an exam.
Also Read: The Top 20 Highest Paying Jobs in Toronto That You Should Be Aware Of
What is the highest-paying degree in Vancouver?
You’ll need the right training if you want to land one of the highest-paying jobs in Vancouver for recent graduates (which, of course, includes a university degree).
The table below breaks down the best degree types to pursue if you want to be qualified for a high-paying job right after graduation. You will also see the average salary you can expect to earn once you begin working in your chosen field.
Degree Type |
Potential Salary |
Medical |
Average salary C$478,000 |
Orthodontics |
Average salary C$258,000 |
Aviation |
Average salary C$191,000 |
Computer Science |
Average salary C$110,000 |
Social Work |
Average salary C$81,671 |
When it comes to landing one of the best-paying jobs in Vancouver, these degrees are all excellent choices that will increase your chances of landing a lucrative job. Of course, these aren’t the only degrees to consider.
There are numerous other degrees that will provide a good return on investment and assist you in getting started on a great career path. This table simply summarises some of the best-paying options for students who aren’t sure where they want to end up but know they need to make a living right away.
Today, you can land one of the highest-paying jobs in Vancouver
Do you want to work in one of Vancouver’s highest-paying jobs? As you can see, there are plenty of well-paying jobs available here that will allow you to earn a good living while also pursuing a rewarding career.
It doesn’t matter if you want to change careers or if you’re a student thinking about the future. In any case, keep this list in mind and begin honing your skills (whether that means earning your degree, taking supplemental classes, or anything in between) as soon as possible to increase your chances of getting hired.
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