High Paying Jobs in Canada That Don’t Require A University Degree

High Paying Jobs in Canada That Don’t Require A University Degree Publié le 2 September 2021 Par

There are a number of high paying jobs in Canada that don’t require a university degree, allowing people to enter the workforce and start building a strong career.

Education is very important. Learning new knowledge and gaining new skills will open many exciting doors, both personally and professionally. While many people see a university degree as the culmination of their education and the starting point of their professional careers, this does not have to be the case. The truth is that not everyone needs to graduate from university in order to have a successful career.

There are many high paying jobs in Canada that don’t require a university degree. In fact, there are actually advantages to pursuing these careers: 

  • Allows you to enter the workforce more quickly

The vast majority of university graduates complete their programs in four to five years. Once they graduate, there is no guarantee that they will be able to secure a job in their desired field right away. Data shows that, depending on their area of study, up to a quarter of university graduates will work in the jobs for which they are overqualified, meaning that a university degree was not a requirement. The shorter duration and more targeted nature of diploma programs and other educational and training courses means that those who complete them will be able to enter the workforce sooner and start to build their professional life.

  • Reduces the amount of student loan debt

Debt as a result of student loans is a serious problem. According to Statistics Canada data, people who graduate from university with Bachelor’s Degrees do so with an average of $28,000 of student loan debt, and those who graduate from college programs have an average of $15,000 in student loan debt. While this is certainly not an insignificant amount of money, it is a little more than half of the student loan debt held by university graduates. There are also different education programs and training courses that are available for different careers which are not full college programs, and are even more affordable.

There are perfectly valid reasons to not go to university. These reasons can be related to finances, familial responsibilities, time constraints, or the simple fact that a Bachelor’s Degree will not help you enter your desired career field.

High Paying Jobs in Canada That Don’t Require A University Degree:

  • Web developer
  • Plumber
  • Mechanic
  • Sales associate
  • Real estate agent
  • Flight attendant
  • Receptionist 

Web Developer – $29.59 per hour

Since 2020, all types of businesses have learned that they need to fully embrace the digital age in order to stay successful. Small and medium businesses have turned to digital sales and marketing to connect with their customers and continue to sell their products and services. Not every business owner has the time, desire or skill to create their website and web presence. This has led to an increase in demand for skilled web developers who can create and manage websites. 

Web developer is a skilled position, and it certainly will help jobseekers to complete specific training courses and programs, but a university degree in computer sciences is not necessary to build a successful career in this field. Web developers have an average salary of nearly $30 per hour, and can work freelance or for large tech and marketing firms.

With the global ecommerce market predicted to hit $1 trillion in revenue by 2025, there is no sign that the demand for skilled web developers will decrease. If you are interested in a career as a web developer, check out Jobillico’s career guide and apply today.

Plumber – $30 per hour 

Trade industries continue to be a source of well-paying and relatively secure jobs. Plumbers can have a wide customer base, serving residential, commercial and industrial clients depending on their credentials. It is a career that requires specialized training and an apprenticeship, normally completed in 2-3 years. This is faster than a university degree and also provides important hands-on training.

Plumbers enjoy a high annual income, averaging $30 per hour, and can find employment with construction and maintenance companies, or start their own businesses. Offering plumbing installation and repair services on large properties such as factories and construction sites will require additional certifications, and therefore more time training and learning.

If you are interested in a career as a plumber, check out Jobillico’s career guide and apply today.

Mechanic – $25.00 per hour

Regardless of changes in the economy, people are still going to drive their cars, trucks and other vehicles. Mechanics repair and service vehicles to ensure they operate correctly, safely and efficiently. Auto mechanics must complete diploma and training courses before becoming certified, most of which also involve hands-on learning to acquire the practical skills they will need on a daily basis.

Mechanics can start their own repair garage or offer freelance service to drivers in need of onsite repairs. They can also be employed by larger auto mechanic companies, enjoying a high hourly salary rate. Auto mechanics who want to service trucks, transport vehicles and other larger classes of vehicles will need to complete additional training and earn the necessary credentials.

If you are interested in a career as a mechanic, check out Jobillico’s career guide and apply today.

Sales Associate – $15.00 per hour

Regardless of larger economic changes, people will continue to buy the products they need and use a regular basis. Sales associates and sales clerks work with customers to find the correct products and services, making specific recommendations and working to understand customer needs in the process. Sales associates can work in a retail environment, over the phone or even through video conferencing. While it can be a minimum wage job depending on the employer, particularly in retail, it can increase to a high average of $23.00 per hour or more.

Working in sales requires strong communication and interpersonal skills. Interacting face-to-face with customers will be a daily occurrence, and sales associates must be able to demonstrate patience and understanding. For people who wish to further their career in sales, colleges offer a variety of business-related diplomas which can be completed more quickly than university degrees.

If you are interested in a career as a sales associate, check out Jobillico’s career guide and apply today.

Real Estate Agent – $46,212 per year

If there’s one industry that seems unstoppable, it’s the Canadian housing market. As people look to find affordable housing in big cities and now smaller communities alike, real estate agents can build a strong career helping people find the right home. They work with people looking to buy, sell, rent and lease all types of property, earning high salaries from real estate firms in addition to commissions.

Aspiring real estate agents need to complete an accredited training program and meet all the requirements of their provincial regulatory organization in order to enter the field. Once they are certified, real estate agents can work for large property management companies or go into business themselves as a self-employed realtor working for the clients they select.

If you are interested in a career as a real estate agent, check out Jobillico’s career guide and apply today.

Flight Attendant – $22.60 per hour

If you want to take off and travel around the world while building a professional career, becoming a flight attendant will allow you to do just that. A flight attendant works for commercial airlines, providing instructions, safety guidance and service for passengers during flight. They play a very important role, assuring that everyone is safe and as happy as possible before takeoff, while in flight and up until deboarding.

It is a career that requires a great deal of communication skills and interpersonal abilities, as interacting with passengers will comprise much of a flight attendant’s duties. They also act as the main point of communication between the rest of the flight crew. Those seeking a career as a flight attendant must complete specialized training programs as required by Transport Canada, and airlines may have additional requirements such as First Aid certification.

If you are interested in a career as a flight attendant, check out Jobillico’s career guide and apply today.

Receptionist – $18.00 per hour

A receptionist is the face of an entire business or company. They are the first employee to interact with customers and clients, and play a key role in ensuring that they have an enjoyable experience. Receptionists need to have strong organizational and interpersonal skills in order to properly maintain records and be the communication point between clients and other employees.

The specific job requirements for a receptionist vary between organizations, and can include knowledge of specific computers and filing programs. All of these skills can be learned, as long as a receptionist can demonstrate a strong desire to learn and grow on the job. Receptionists can work for all types of businesses, providing many employment opportunities in locations across the country.

If you are interested in a career as a receptionist, check out Jobillico’s career guide and apply today.

Education and learning are very important pillars to a long and successful career, but a Bachelor’s Degree from a university does not have to be the final goal of every aspiring professional. There are plenty of high paying jobs in Canada that don’t require a university degree. These job roles will allow people to enter the workforce with specialized training and build a strong professional life.

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