Canada’s flourishing job market offers numerous opportunities for freshers in 2025-26. This is especially true for high-demand segments like technology, healthcare, engineering, skilled trades, and more. However, it’s essential to choose a career path that offers long-term stability and financial growth.
It is crucial at a time when job vacancies were reported to be around 547,800 in Q4 2024, remaining relatively unchanged from the previous quarter. On that note, let us examine some of the highest-paying jobs in Canada for freshers.
What “Fresher” Means in Canada – Entry-Level vs. Early-Career Pay
In Canada, the term fresher is not a standard industry term and is typically understood to mean a new graduate or someone seeking an entry-level position with limited to no work experience. The early-career stage follows the entry-level phase and involves a noticeable increase in pay and responsibilities as experience is gained.
The pay difference between these two levels can be tens of thousands of Canadian dollars (CAD), depending on various factors.
Jobs in Canada for Freshers That Offer the Highest Starting Salaries
Here are some of the highest-paying jobs for freshers in Canada.
| Job Role | Average Annual Salary (CAD) |
| Software Developer | CAD 59,800-144,997 |
| Data Analyst | CAD 65,000-80,000 |
| Financial Analyst | CAD 55,000-77,000 |
| Digital Marketing Executive | CAD 57,000-71,000 |
| UI/UX Designer | CAD 50,000-118,000 |
| Civil Engineer (Entry Level) | CAD 75,000-111,700 |
| Junior Project Manager | CAD 50,000-75,000 |
| Registered Nurse | CAD 70,000-100,000 |
| Business Development Representative | CAD 44,000-63,000 |
| Cloud Support Associate | CAD 60,500-85,000 |
Software Developer
There are several lucrative IT jobs in Canada for freshers in this category. The job role involves testing, writing, and debugging code to create and maintain software, applications, and digital systems. Responsibilities include creating databases, designing user interfaces, and ensuring the software’s functionality across multiple platforms. Top recruiting industries include technology, finance, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Data Analyst
This is one of the top IT jobs for freshers in Canada, with job roles including finding data trends and patterns and enabling data-driven business decisions. Some of the top employers cover the IT and tech, healthcare, banking and finance, e-commerce, and Government sectors.
Also read: How Much Do Data Analysts Earn in Canada
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts research and analyze economic data to identify trends, assess investment risks, and provide recommendations. They create financial models and forecasts while offering guidance to businesses and clients. Key recruiters include the banking and finance, corporate, and Government sectors.
Also read: Data Analytics and Its Influence on Today’s Canadian Financial Sector
Digital Marketing Executive
There are multiple job vacancies in Canada for freshers in the arena of digital marketing. The role encompasses strategic planning, campaign management and implementation, content creation, SEO, data analysis, paid advertising, and more. Key recruiters come from the e-commerce, PR, advertising, and technology sectors.
Also read: Land Your First Digital Marketing Job in Canada
UI/UX Designer
UI/UX designers build user-friendly and intuitive digital interfaces while taking care of interaction design, user research, wireframing, etc. Some hiring industries include technology, digital media, software development, and e-commerce.
Civil Engineer (Entry Level)
Civil engineers design and manage various infrastructure projects like bridges, buildings, and roads. Key hiring sectors include construction, Government, consulting, engineering, and manufacturing. There is also demand across water and wastewater treatment facilities.
Junior Project Manager
This role involves helping with project tasks, tracking budgets, managing schedules, and coordinating all project details. Key recruiting sectors include IT, construction, and more.
Registered Nurse
Registered nurses earn handsomely in Canada, with their job duties including direct patient care, specialized practices, healthcare system support, leadership, and more. Key recruiters come from the healthcare sector, especially in high-demand provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.
Business Development Representative
Business development representatives focus on lead qualification, generation, setting appointments, and CRM management. Key recruiters come from sectors like technology, medical research, digital marketing, education, finance, and education.
Cloud Support Associate
Key job roles include technical support, issue resolution, collaboration for technical guidance, documentation, and more. Key hiring industries include finance, technology, and general business.
Also read: Best Tech Courses for Canadian Professionals
Salary Ranges for Entry-Level Jobs in 2026 – By Industry and Role
The following table lists some of the top entry-level jobs in 2026 in Canada in different sectors and the salaries you can expect in those roles:
| Job Role | Annual Salary Range |
| Software Engineer | CAD 62,000 – CAD 99,000 |
| Registered Nurse | CAD 69,000 – CAD 94,000 |
| Electrician | CAD 63,000 – CAD 80,000 |
| Software Developer | CAD 54,000 – CAD 77,000 |
| Accountant | CAD 42,000 – CAD 58,000 |
| Personal Support Worker | CAD 38,000 – CAD 56,000 |
Source: Glassdoor, as of December 4, 2025
Regional / City Variation – How Pay Varies by Province
Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia offer the highest base salaries for entry-level jobs in Canada, but these often coincide with the higher living costs in their major cities. This includes the following:
- Toronto
- Calgary
- Vancouver
- Montreal
- Ottawa
- Halifax
High-Demand Sectors for Fresh Graduates in 2025-26
The following are the key sectors with high demand for fresh graduates in 2025-26 in Canada:
- Technology, including Information Technology (IT)
- Medical Sciences and Healthcare
- Construction and Skilled Trades
- Engineering
- Finance and Business
Also Read: Entry-Level Jobs in Canada with Surprisingly Good Pay
Skills, Certifications, and Education to Land Top-Paying Fresher Jobs
To succeed in Canada’s competitive job market, you will need various skills, certifications, and educational qualifications. Upskilling will give you an advantage in terms of getting job-ready, even if you do not have prior work experience. Some of these must-haves include:
- Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or Engineering
- Certifications like cloud computing, cybersecurity, AI, data science, and networking
- Transferable soft skills like data literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and adaptability
1. High-Impact Technical Skills
- Programming Languages
- Data Visualization and Analysis
- Cloud Computing Platforms
- Digital Marketing
- Soft Skills
2. Relevant Education
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Degrees
- Internships and Co-op Programs
- Specialized Diplomas
3. Industry-Recognized Certifications
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect (Associate)
- Cisco Certified Network Associate
- CompTIA Security+
- Certified Associate in Project Management
- Chartered Professional Accountant
- Certified Ethical Hacker
You can become job-ready by upskilling through leading providers and building a portfolio through participating in hands-on projects. Focus on in-demand skills such as agile project management, low-code or no-code development, machine learning, and more. Look for project-based learning and practical applications while actively networking with professionals in your chosen field to gain valuable insights.
Also Read: Want to Work from Anywhere? Top Remote-Friendly Industries in Canada
Kickstart Your Career with upGrad’s Partnered Online Programs
upGrad Canada is an online learning platform that collaborates with top universities and institutions to support recent graduates aiming for high-paying jobs in Canada. Through its partnerships, learners can access business-focused programs in fields like technology, data, business, and marketing. These programs combine flexible online modules with personalized career support and guidance, helping you upskill and advance your professional prospects. Explore some of the top partnered options below:
- Master’s in Business Management and Technology
- Advanced Certificate in Digital Marketing and Communication
- Master of Science in Data Science from Liverpool John Moores University
🎓 Explore Our Top-Rated Courses in Canada
Take the next step in your career with industry-relevant online courses designed for working professionals in Canada.
- DBA Courses in Canada
- Data Science Courses in Canada
- MBA Courses in Canada
- Master of Education Courses in Canada
- AI ML Courses in Canada
- Digital Marketing Courses in Canada
- Product Management Courses in Canada
- Generative AI Courses in Canada
FAQs on Highest-Paid Jobs in Canada for Freshers
Some of the highest-paying jobs for freshers in Canada include software developer, data analyst, financial analyst, digital marketing executive, UI/UX designer, and civil engineer, to name a few.
Yes, international students may apply for fresher roles after graduation in Canada. However, they should possess proper skills and qualifications, and apply for relevant work permits to remain in the country and work.
Canadian work experience is always valuable and more helpful for landing a high-paying job as a fresher. However, experience elsewhere will also prove useful, along with internships and project experience.
Ans: Some of the top industries hiring freshers in Canada include technology, finance, banking, healthcare, and the Government sector.
You can consider advanced online programs from upGrad to land a high-paying fresher job in Canada. There are programs to get you job-ready, accompanied by personalized guidance, mentorship, and career support.
In Canada, the provinces – Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia – generally offer the highest entry-level salaries for fresh graduates.
Yes, fresh graduates in Canada can get high-paying jobs immediately after graduation, even without relevant work experience. However, this applies mainly to the high-demand sectors.
Yes, freshers can secure high-paying jobs in Canada without a Canadian university degree.
Earning above CAD 100,000 in your first year in Canada as a fresher is highly challenging but achievable in specific, in-demand industries like software engineering.
The industries that hire the most new graduates in Canada each year are healthcare, skilled trades, technology, and finance & business.
The following types of certifications help freshers get higher starting salaries in Canada:
Cloud Computing Certifications
Cybersecurity Certifications
IT Support and Networking Certifications
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Certifications
Certified Associate in Project Management
Certified ScrumMaster
Chartered Professional Accountant
Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst
Yes, in Canada, remote jobs are often a good option for freshers, as they offer immense flexibility. This is especially true in the IT and technology sectors; in addition, they offer competitive salaries. They are equal to or higher than the onsite roles.
