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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.
The top 12 highest-paying jobs in Canada that do not require a university degree are:
Please note that all average salaries have been rounded to the nearest thousand.
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.
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:
You must also complete further first aid and driving certifications prior to being hired.
The job outlook for firefighters in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be moderate in both Calgary and Edmonton.
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.
In order to apply to become an air traffic controller in Canada, you must:
You will also be required to pass NAV CANADA’s rigorous selection process, which involves numerous aptitude tests, assessments, and interviews.
The job outlook for air traffic controllers in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be moderate in Calgary and good in Edmonton.
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.
The credentials for becoming a miner may include:
The job outlook for miners in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be good in both Calgary and Edmonton.
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.
Specific credentials required to become a police officer vary across the country. Generally speaking, you must:
You will also need to be accepted into and complete a police academy training program.
The job outlook for police officers in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be good in both Calgary and Edmonton.
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.
The credentials required for becoming a construction manager may include:
The job outlook for construction managers in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be good in both Calgary and Edmonton.
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.
The specific credentials required for real estate agents vary somewhat from province to province, but typically include:
The job outlook for real estate agents in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be good in both Calgary and Edmonton.
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.
The credentials required to become a maintenance manager in Canada can vary widely depending on the scope of the role. They may include:
The job outlook for maintenance managers in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be moderate in both Calgary and Edmonton.
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.
To be hired as a professional airline pilot in Canada, you must:
The job outlook for airline pilots in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be moderate in Calgary and good in Edmonton.
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.
The credentials required to become a sales manager in Canada can vary widely depending on the details of the role. They typically include:
The job outlook for sales managers in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be moderate in Calgary and limited in Edmonton.
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)
The following credentials are generally required to become an operations manager in Canada:
The job outlook for operations managers in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be moderate in both Calgary and Edmonton.
Electricians are responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
Becoming an electrician in Canada requires the following:
The job outlook for electricians in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be good in Calgary and moderate in Edmonton.
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.
In order to become an executive assistant in Canada, the following credentials are recommended:
The job outlook for executive assistants in the period between 2025-2026 is projected to be moderate in Calgary and good in Edmonton.
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.
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