Top 12 Highest-Paying Jobs In Canada Without A Degree

Earning a degree is one way to go about pursuing a meaningful and lucrative career, but not all rewarding or well-paying jobs begin on a university campus. In fact, depending on the career path you hope to follow, enrolling in a college diploma program or seeking other specialized training opportunities may actually be the key to putting yourself ahead professionally.

From firefighters and airline pilots to electricians and executive assistants, a wide variety of professionals across a spectrum of different industries have gotten where they are without once attending a university lecture. If you’re wondering how you can do the same, then this post is for you. Below, we’ve provided an up-to-date list of the top 12 highest-paying jobs in Canada that can be obtained without a degree.

For more information about how Robertson College’s diploma programs can help you earn professional skills and enter the workforce within one year or less, contact one of our supportive and highly skilled Student Advisors today!

All median salary statistics below are based on information provided by Indeed Canada. All labour market projections are based on information available through the Government of Canada’s Job Bank platform.

At A Glance

The top 12 highest-paying jobs in Canada that do not require a university degree are:

• 1. Firefighter
  • Average annual salary across Canada: $166,000
  • In Calgary, AB: $187,000
  • In Edmonton, AB: $172,000
• 2. Air Traffic Controller
  • Average annual base salary across Canada: $100,000
  • In Calgary, AB: $92,000
  • In Edmonton, AB: $136,000
• 3. Miner
  • Average annual base salary across Canada: $149,000
  • In Calgary, AB: $122,000
  • In Edmonton, AB: $99,000
• 4. Police Officer
  • Average annual salary across Canada: $91,000
  • In Calgary, AB: $94,000
  • In Edmonton, AB: $86,000
• 5. Construction Manager
  • Average annual base salary across Canada: $109,000
  • In Calgary, AB: $116,000
  • In Edmonton, AB: $109,000
• 6. Real Estate Agent
  • Average annual base salary across Canada: $128,000
  • In Calgary, AB: $116,000
  • In Edmonton, AB: $73,000
• 7. Maintenance Manager
  • Average annual base salary across Canada: $87,000
  • In Calgary, AB: $74,000
  • In Edmonton, AB: $89,000
• 8. Airline Pilot
  • Average annual base salary across Canada: $88,000
  • In Calgary, AB: $117,000
  • In Edmonton, AB: $53,000
• 9. Sales Manager
  • Average annual base salary across Canada: $82,000
  • In Calgary, AB: $84,000
  • In Edmonton, AB: $91,000
• 10. Operations Manager
  • Average annual base salary across Canada: $81,000
  • In Calgary, AB: $74,000
  • In Edmonton, AB: $82,000
• 11. Electrician
  • Average annual base salary across Canada: $82,000
  • In Calgary, AB: $73,000
  • In Edmonton, AB: $75,000
• 12. Executive Assistant
  • Average annual base salary across Canada: $63,000
  • In Calgary, AB: $62,000
  • In Edmonton, AB: $62,000

Please note that all average salaries have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

12 Highest-Paying Jobs In Canada

1. Firefighter

• The average annual salary for firefighters across Canada is $166,000.
• The average annual salary for a firefighter in Calgary, AB is $187,000. This is 12% above the national average.
• The average annual salary for a firefighter in Edmonton, AB is $172,000. This is approximately the same as the national average.

Job Overview

If you’re seeking a fast-paced career that will keep you active and doesn’t involve sitting behind a desk, becoming a firefighter could be a natural fit. Besides extinguishing fires and maintaining firefighting equipment, firefighters also respond to a wide range of other emergencies and provide emergency medical care.

Credentials

The credentials required for becoming a firefighter vary across the country. In order to apply for a position as a firefighter in Calgary or Edmonton, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a high school diploma
• Be physically fit
• Be eligible to work in Canada
• Possess a valid driver’s licence

You must also complete further first aid and driving certifications prior to being hired.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for firefighters in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be moderate in both Calgary and Edmonton.

2. Air Traffic Controller

• The average annual base salary for air traffic controllers across Canada is $100,000.
• The average annual base salary for an air traffic controller in Calgary, AB is $92,000. This is 8% below the national average.
• The average annual base salary for an air traffic controller in Edmonton, AB is $136,000. This is 33% above the national average.

Job Overview

Air traffic controllers are responsible for managing the movement of aircraft within a designated airspace. They communicate with pilots, coordinate traffic flow management, monitor aircraft, and collaborate with other controllers to ensure a smooth and safe experience from takeoff to landing.

Credentials

In order to apply to become an air traffic controller in Canada, you must:

• Be 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma
• Be eligible to work in Canada

You will also be required to pass NAV CANADA’s rigorous selection process, which involves numerous aptitude tests, assessments, and interviews.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for air traffic controllers in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be moderate in Calgary and good in Edmonton.

3. Miner

• The average annual base salary for miners across Canada is $149,000.
• The average annual base salary for a miner in Calgary, AB is $122,000. This is 18% below the national average.
• The average annual base salary for a miner in Edmonton, AB is $99,000. This is 34% below the national average.

Job Overview

Miners work underground in mines to drill, blast, and excavate ore. They are often responsible for the operation of heavy machinery and may be involved in tasks including loading and transporting ore, building shafts and/or installing elements such as lighting and pumps.

Credentials

The credentials for becoming a miner may include:

• Being certified in the basic Underground Hard Rock Miner Common Core program
• First aid certification
• Formal on-the-job training

Job Outlook

The job outlook for miners in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be good in both Calgary and Edmonton.

4. Police Officer

• The average annual salary for police officers across Canada is $91,000.
• The average annual salary for a police officer in Calgary, AB is $94,000. This is approximately the same as the national average.
• The average annual salary for a police officer in Edmonton, AB is $86,000. This is approximately the same as the national average.

Job Overview

Police officers keep citizens safe by responding to emergencies and actively patrolling neighbourhoods and communities. Other duties may include enforcing laws, investigating crimes, and building positive community relations.

Credentials

Specific credentials required to become a police officer vary across the country. Generally speaking, you must:

• Have a Canadian high school diploma
• Be physically fit and in good health
• Have a clean criminal record

You will also need to be accepted into and complete a police academy training program.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for police officers in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be good in both Calgary and Edmonton.

5. Construction Manager

• The average annual base salary for construction managers across Canada is $109,000.
• The average annual base salary for a construction manager in Calgary, AB is $116,000. This is 6% above the national average.
• The average annual base salary for a construction manager in Edmonton, AB is $109,000. This is approximately the same as the national average.

Job Overview

A construction manager is responsible for overseeing construction projects from start to finish—from the planning phase right through to scheduling, hiring subcontractors, and completing the project on time and within budget.

Credentials

The credentials required for becoming a construction manager may include:

• A college diploma in construction technology and/or
• Extensive experience in the construction industry

Job Outlook

The job outlook for construction managers in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be good in both Calgary and Edmonton.

6. Real Estate Agent

• The average annual base salary for real estate agents across Canada is $128,000.
• The average annual base salary for a real estate agent in Calgary, AB is $116,000. This is 9% below the national average.
• The average annual base salary for a real estate agent in Edmonton, AB is $73,000. This is 43% below the national average.

Job Overview

Real estate agents work directly with clients to help them buy, sell, and/or lease properties. Their primary responsibilities include showing properties, determining the market value of properties, marketing properties, and mediating between buyers and sellers to achieve the best possible outcomes for their clients.

Credentials

The specific credentials required for real estate agents vary somewhat from province to province, but typically include:

• Being a minimum of 18 years old
• Having a high school diploma
• Being eligible to work in Canada
• Having a clean criminal record
• Passing the real estate licensing exam for your province (in Alberta, the pre-licensing education and licensing process take approximately 4 to 7 months)

Job Outlook

The job outlook for real estate agents in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be good in both Calgary and Edmonton.

7. Maintenance Manager

• The average annual base salary for maintenance managers across Canada is $87,000.
• The average annual base salary for a maintenance manager in Calgary, AB is $74,000. This is 15% below the national average.
• The average annual base salary for a maintenance manager in Edmonton, AB is $89,000. This is approximately the same as the national average.

Job Overview

A maintenance manager is responsible for overseeing the maintenance of a building or facility. This may include performing and/or scheduling routine inspections and maintenance, dealing with emergency break-downs, managing a budget, liaising with vendors, and maintaining organized maintenance records.

Credentials

The credentials required to become a maintenance manager in Canada can vary widely depending on the scope of the role. They may include:

• A high school diploma
• Maintenance and/or management experience
• Certifications and/or a diploma related to building maintenance

Job Outlook

The job outlook for maintenance managers in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be moderate in both Calgary and Edmonton.

8. Airline Pilot

• The average annual base salary for airline pilots across Canada is $88,000.
• The average annual base salary for an airline pilot in Calgary, AB is $117,000. This is 33% above the national average.
• The average annual base salary for an airline pilot in Edmonton, AB is $53,000. This is 40% below the national average.

Job Overview

Airline pilots safely transport passengers and cargo in commercial aircraft. Besides actively operating planes in-flight, they are also responsible for performing pre-flight checks, planning flight routes, communicating with air traffic control, and handling emergency situations that may unexpectedly arise.

Credentials

To be hired as a professional airline pilot in Canada, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Earn a Canadian commercial pilot licence (includes a minimum of 80 hours of ground school instruction and 200 hours of flight time)
• Hold a current Category 1 Medical Certificate

Job Outlook

The job outlook for airline pilots in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be moderate in Calgary and good in Edmonton.

9. Sales Manager

• The average annual base salary for sales managers across Canada is $82,000.
• The average annual base salary for a sales manager in Calgary, AB is $84,000. This is approximately the same as the national average.
• The average annual base salary for a sales manager in Edmonton, AB is $91,000. This is 11% above the national average.

Job Overview

A sales manager oversees a team of salespeople to increase sales and revenue for a company or organization. Key duties include developing sales strategies, managing employees, and pinpointing areas for growth.

Explore other top-paying jobs in business administration for more examples of lucrative careers that can be jump-started with a business administration diploma from Robertson College.

Credentials

The credentials required to become a sales manager in Canada can vary widely depending on the details of the role. They typically include:

• A diploma or other certification in business administration
• Relevant sales and management experience

Job Outlook

The job outlook for sales managers in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be moderate in Calgary and limited in Edmonton.

10. Operations Manager

• The average annual base salary for operations managers across Canada is $81,000.
• The average annual base salary for an operations manager in Calgary, AB is $74,000. This is 9% below the national average.
• The average annual base salary for an operations manager in Edmonton, AB is $82,000. This is approximately the same as the national average.

Job Overview

An operations manager oversees the day-to-day operations of a business or organization. Duties include optimizing efficiency, managing budgets, putting processes in place for quality control, managing teams, and much more.

Interested in moving into an operations management role? Learn more about how upskilling can help your career*  (*link to How Upskilling Can Help Your Career blog post once published)

Credentials

The following credentials are generally required to become an operations manager in Canada:

• A post-secondary certification in business administration
• Experience in project management, human resources, supply chain management, and/or accounting

Job Outlook

The job outlook for operations managers in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be moderate in both Calgary and Edmonton.

11. Electrician

• The average annual base salary for electricians across Canada is $82,000.
• The average annual base salary for an electrician in Calgary, AB is $73,000. This is 10% below the national average.
• The average annual base salary for an electrician in Edmonton, AB is $75,000. This is 7% below the national average.

Job Overview

Electricians are responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

Credentials

Becoming an electrician in Canada requires the following:

• A high school diploma
• Completion of a 4 to 5-year apprenticeship program (this often includes formal post-secondary training)
• Earn a provincial journeyperson certificate (many electricians also apply for Red Seal certification, which is recognized interprovincially)

Job Outlook

The job outlook for electricians in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be good in Calgary and moderate in Edmonton.

12. Executive Assistant

• The average annual base salary for executive assistants across Canada is $63,000.
• The average annual base salary for an executive assistant in Calgary, AB is $62,000. This is approximately the same as the national average.
• The average annual base salary for an executive assistant in Edmonton, AB is $62,000. This is approximately the same as the national average.

Job Overview

An executive assistant performs high-level administrative tasks for a senior executive, such as a CEO. Responsibilities can include calendar management, travel booking, appointment coordination, document preparation, communications management, and much more.

Explore Robertson College’s diploma programs to discover more careers in business administration in Calgary and Edmonton.

Credentials

In order to become an executive assistant in Canada, the following credentials are recommended:

• A post-secondary certification in business administration
• Experience as an administrative assistant
• Certifications in relevant computer systems

Job Outlook

The job outlook for executive assistants in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be moderate in Calgary and good in Edmonton.

Start Levelling Up Your Career Today With Robertson College

A wide range of well-paying job opportunities are within reach for graduates of Robertson College’s streamlined diploma programs, including high-paying jobs for international students. To learn more about the admission requirements for specific programs and kickstart a fulfilling and financially rewarding career without a university degree, contact one of our Student Advisors today! We look forward to meeting you.