Women in Canada are breaking down barriers. They are doing so by leading in a variety of industries like technology, healthcare, finance, and law. Workplaces in Canada nowadays have more space for women employees. This is why they can now work in some of the most prestigious job roles that pay well as well.
For example, surgeons in Canada earn between CAD 200,000 and CAD 300,000 a year. The highest-paying jobs for women in Canada in 2026 reflect this shift as well. These jobs help you grow both professionally and financially, apart from that, they also equip you to shape the economy and society of Canada.
This blog will look at the top highest-paying jobs for women in Canada. It will also provide details on the skills required for these jobs, their salary potential, and their roles and responsibilities.
Source: Glassdoor
Top 15 Highest Paying Jobs for Women in 2026
Both students and experienced professionals need to understand the highest-paying jobs for women in Canada to make strategic career decisions.
1. Surgeon
Job Description: Surgeons are among the highest-paying jobs for women in Canada; they diagnose, perform operations, and treat patients to address issues such as injuries, diseases, and deformities.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Surgeon
- Performing Surgical Operations with Care and Precision
- Diagnosing Medical Conditions Needing Surgery
- Overseeing Patient Care at Different Stages of Operations
- Collaborating with Other Medical Staff, like Nurses and Anesthesiologists
Skills
- Steady Hand Coordination and Manual Dexterity
- Deep Knowledge of Medical Science and Anatomy
- Strong Decision-Making under Pressure
- Teamwork and Leadership
Why Is Surgeon a Top Career for Women in Canada?
Surgery has become a top career for women in Canada because of changing social attitudes and its hands-on nature.
Annual Salary Range for Surgeon: CAD 200,00 – CAD 300,000
2. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Job Description: CEOs set strategic goals, ensure overall business success, and manage executive teams to lead organizations.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- Developing Long-Term Business Strategies and Implementing Them
- Executive Leadership and Overseeing Daily Operations
- Managing Budgets, Financial Growth, and Investments
- Representing the Company to Investors, Public, and Partners
Skills
- Analytical and Strategic Thinking
- Strong Team Management and Leadership
- Decision-Making and Negotiation Skills
- Excellent Presentation and Communication Abilities
Why Is CEO a Top Career for Women in Canada?
The CEO role has become one of the leading jobs for women in Canada, especially for those who want the independence of running their own businesses.
Annual Salary Range for Chief Executive Officer (CEO): CAD 77,000 – CAD 200,000
3. Human Resources (HR) Director
Job Description: Human resources directors, among the top-paying jobs for women in Canada, manage organizational talent and shape workplace culture.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Human Resources (HR) Director
- Overseeing Recruitment, Employee Relations, and Training
- Designing and Implementing Compensation Structures and HR Policies
- Ensuring Compliance with Labor Laws in Canada
- Fostering Inclusion Initiatives and Workplace Diversity
Skills
- Conflict Resolution and Interpersonal Skills
- Strong Understanding of Labor Laws
- Leadership and Organization
Why Is HR Director a Top Career for Women in Canada?
The HR Director role is one of the best jobs for women in Canada because it has a history of female participation, and women have the skills needed to do the job well, such as communication and empathy.
Annual Salary Range for Human Resources (HR) Director: CAD 100,000 – CAD 142,000
Also read: Soft Skills Every HR Professional Should Have
4. Corporate Counsel
Job Description: Corporate counsel provides in-house legal support to ensure businesses operate within legal frameworks.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Corporate Counsel
- Drafting, Reviewing, and Negotiating Business Contracts
- Advising Executives on Legal Compliance and Risks
- Handling Mergers, Corporate Restructuring, and Acquisitions
Skills
- Legal Analysis and Research Expertise
- Advisory and Negotiation Skills
- Sound Judgment and Attention to Detail
Why Is Corporate Counsel a Top Career for Women in Canada?
Women in Canada prefer to work as Corporate Counsels because it provides them with a clear path to leadership and better flexibility and work-life balance than conventional private practice.
Annual Salary Range for Corporate Counsel: CAD 91,000 – CAD 141,000
5. Marketing Director
Job Description: Marketing directors oversee strategies that drive customer engagement and brand growth.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Marketing Director
- Developing and Managing Brand Positioning and Marketing Campaigns
- Analyzing Customer Data and Market Trends
- Coordinating Digital Marketing and Creative Teams
Skills
- Strategic Thinking and Creativity
- Project Management and Strong Leadership
- Market Research and Data Analysis Expertise
Why Is Marketing Director a Top Career for Women in Canada?
In Canada, the marketing industry has a strong overall female representation and provides excellent opportunities for innovation and creativity. These factors make it one of the best jobs for women in the country.
Annual Salary Range for Marketing Director: CAD 92,000 – CAD 135,000
Also read: A Step-by-Step Career Planning Guide for Students & Professionals in Canada
6. Entrepreneur
Job Description: Entrepreneurs start and operate their own businesses.
Why Is Entrepreneurship a Top Career for Women in Canada?
Entrepreneurship is a very fulfilling career for women in Canada who want to be independent and sell their own services and products.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Entrepreneur
- Strategic Thinking and Vision
- Problem Solving and Decision-Making
Annual Salary Range for Entrepreneur: CAD 51,641 – CAD 210,567
Source: Indeed, as of November 7, 2025
7. Career Counselor
Job Description: Career Counselors advise students and also help them select the right career paths.
Why Is Career Counselor a Top Career for Women in Canada?
Women in Canada choose this profession because working with students and helping them feel excited and confident about their futures is rewarding.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Career Counselor
- Client Profiling and Assessment
- Goal Setting and Personalized Guidance
Annual Salary Range for Career Counselor: CAD 45,965 – CAD 103,945
Source: Indeed, as of November 16, 2025
8. Industrial Designer
Job Description: Industrial Designers develop concepts for manufactured products such as appliances and cars.
Why Is Industrial Designer a Top Career for Women in Canada?
This is an excellent career for women who are interested in design.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Industrial Designer
- Requirement Analysis and Consultation
- Analysis and Research
Annual Salary Range for Industrial Designer: CAD 56,380 – CAD 102,911
Source: Indeed, as of November 15, 2025
9. Physiotherapist
Job Description: Physiotherapists help patients recovering from surgeries, accidents, and illnesses become more mobile and lead better lives.
Why Is Physiotherapist a Top Career for Women in Canada?
Women in Canada find this career fulfilling because it helps them assist patients in living independently and reclaiming their lives.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Physiotherapist
- Diagnosis and Assessment
- Treatment Implementation and Planning
Annual Salary Range for Physiotherapist: CAD 75,453 – CAD 120,461
Source: Indeed, as of November 17, 2025
10. Occupational Therapist
Job Description: Occupational Therapists work with injured and disabled patients and help them perform their daily activities easily.
Why Is Occupational Therapist a Top Career for Women in Canada?
Women in Canada prefer this profession because it lets them help others in leading better lives.
Roles and Responsibilities of Occupational Therapist
- Comprehensive Assessment
- Treatment Planning and Goal Setting
Annual Salary Range for Occupational Therapist: CAD 78,757 – CAD 136,716
Source: Indeed, as of November 17, 2025
11. Dentist
Job Description: Dentists work with patients to improve their oral health.
Why Is Dentist a Top Career for Women in Canada?
This is an excellent profession for women in Canada, as it offers high salaries and job satisfaction.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Dentist
- Treatment Planning and Diagnosis
- Education and Preventive Care
Annual Salary Range for Dentist: CAD 157,939 – CAD 286,526
Source: Indeed, as of November 17, 2025
12. Dental Hygienist
Job Description: Dental Hygienists work in conjunction with Dentists and assist them in running their practices smoothly and caring for the patients.
Why Is Dental Hygienist a Top Career for Women in Canada?
This career also offers women in Canada reasonable job satisfaction and high salaries, which is why they like it so much!
Roles and Responsibilities of Dental Hygienist
- Patient Diagnosis and Assessment
- Therapeutic and Clinical Preventive Procedures
Annual Salary Range of Dental Hygienist: CAD 98,458 – CAD 120,472
Source: Indeed, as of November 17, 2025
13. Chiropractor
Job Description: Chiropractors make adjustments to patients’ spines to help them become healthier, more mobile, and better overall.
Why Is Chiropractor a Top Career for Women in Canada?
This is a great career choice for women who want to work in holistic health.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Chiropractor
- Diagnosis and Assessment
- Treatment Implementation
Annual Salary Range for Chiropractor: CAD 87,935 – CAD 178,186
Source: Indeed, as of November 17, 2025
14. Speech-Language Pathologist
Job Description: Speech-Language Pathologists work with clients who face speech and pronunciation difficulties.
Why Is Speech-Language Pathologist a Top Career for Women in Canada?
This is a top career choice for women who wish to work with others to improve their lives.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Speech-Language Pathologist
- Diagnosis and Assessment
- Intervention and Treatment Planning
Annual Salary Range for Speech-Language Pathologist: CAD 123,610 – CAD 201,552
Source: Indeed, as of November 16, 2025
15. Pharmacist
Job Description: Pharmacists dispense prescriptions and advise patients on over-the-counter medications.
Why Is Pharmacist a Top Career for Women in Canada?
This is an excellent choice for women who want to work in the healthcare sector in Canada.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Pharmacist
- Medication Management and Dispensing
- Patient Education and Care
Annual Salary Range for Pharmacist: CAD 111,855 – CAD 127,706
Source: Indeed, as of November 17, 2025
Top 3 Emerging High-Income Fields for Women in 2026
The following are the top emerging high-income fields for women in Canada, along with their salaries:
| Job Role | Annual Salary Range |
| Physician | CAD 186,431 – CAD 364,274 |
| Software Engineer | CAD 83,954 – CAD 201,276 |
| Nurse Practitioner | CAD 89,684 – CAD 118,355 |
| Data Scientist | CAD 76,000 – CAD 100,000 |
| Financial Analyst | CAD 65,707 – CAD 85,530 |
Sources: Indeed, as of November 13 and 17, 2025, and Glassdoor, as of December 6, 2025
The following are the top emerging options among well-paid jobs for women in Canada Industry-wise:
1. Technology Industry
- Software Developer or Engineer
- Data Scientist
- IT Project Manager
2. Healthcare Industry
- Surgeon or Physician
- Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner
- Pharmacist
- Occupational Therapist
3. Finance Industry
- Investment Banker
- Financial Analyst
- Auditor
Skills and Qualifications That Boost Earning Potential
If you want to work in the highest-paying jobs for women in Canada, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
Qualifications
- Medical Degrees
- Computer Science Degrees
- Commerce, Finance, and Accounting Degrees
- Law Degree
- Pharmacy Degree
- HR, Business Administration, and Psychology Degrees
- Cybersecurity Degrees
- Engineering Degrees
- Chartered Professional Accountant Certification
Skills
- Management and Leadership
- Communication
- Critical and Analytical Thinking
- Entrepreneurship
- Programming and Data Visualization
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Networking
Also read: Best Tech Courses for Canadian Professionals
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Job
In Canada, women must consider the following factors while selecting a profession:
- Flexibility and Work-Life Balance
- Career Advancement Opportunities
- Equitable Benefits and Compensation
- Workplace Environment and Company Culture
- Job Security and Stability
- Meaningful Work and Job Satisfaction
- Commute and Location
Career Growth Challenges and How to Overcome Them
You may now be able to work in good-paying jobs for women, but you may still face some growth challenges, like:
- Consistent Wage Gap
- Leadership Under representation
- Motherhood Penalty
- Unconscious Bias
- Lack of Networking and Mentorship
- Harmful Micro-aggressions
The best ways to overcome them are:
- Advocating Transparency
- Leveraging Flexible Work Arrangements
- Seeking Out Mentors and Sponsors
- Documenting and Promoting Accomplishments
- Developing Strong Networks
- Building Confidence and Skills
- Setting and Enforcing Boundaries
Also read: Want to Work from Anywhere? Top Remote-Friendly Industries in Canada
How to Choose the Right Career Path Based on Interests and Goals
The most important factors to keep in mind to select the best high-paying jobs for women in Canada are:
- Self-Assessment
- Exploring Career Paths
- Setting Goals and Planning
You first need to reflect on your interests, identify your strengths, and understand your values.
Also read: Which upGrad IT Online Career Courses Are Best for Working Professionals in Canada?
How to Get Started in One of the Top Careers for Women in Canada?
If you wish to get started the right way in one of the leading careers for women in Canada, you can follow these steps:
- Taking Refresher Courses
- Improving Your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Practicing for Job Interviews
- Getting the Right Documentation
Advance Your Career with upGrad’s Professional Programs
The professional programs offered through upGrad Canada provide several benefits, including flexibility and robust career support. This helps you upskill and advance in your career, and re-enter the workforce. These are especially valuable benefits for working mothers and those returning to work after a career break.
These courses help you pivot into high-demand roles and develop strategic leadership capabilities, which helps you land the most high-paying jobs for women in Canada. The accessible and flexible learning helps you maintain the right work-life balance as well.
- Master of Science in Data Science from Liverpool John Moores University
- Executive Diploma in Machine Learning and AI from IIIT-B
- Master of Science in International Accounting and Finance (Accredited by ACCA, UK) from O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU)
- Doctor of Business Administration from Golden Gate University
- Doctor of Business Administration in Emerging Technologies with a concentration in Generative AI
- Doctor of Business Administration from Edgewood University
- Doctor of Business Administration program from ESGCI
- Doctor of Business Administration program by Rushford Business School
Must read articles:
- Top 10 Highest-Paid Jobs in Canada for Freshers in 2025-26
- Best Paying Careers in Finance in Canada You Should Aim for in 2026
- Highest-Paying Remote Jobs for Online MBA Graduates in Canada
- High-Paying Work-From-Home Jobs in Canada
- Entry-Level Jobs in Canada with Surprisingly Good Pay
🎓 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: Highest-Paying Jobs for Women in Canada for 2026
The following sectors offer the best salaries for women professionals in Canada:
1. Healthcare
2. Technology
3. Law and Finance
4. Engineering and Management
Yes, women in Canada can earn six-figure salaries in the tech sector as well. This is especially true for high-demand roles that require substantial experience.
For high-paying roles in Canada, you need specialized education in domains like:
1. Engineering
2. Medicine
3. Technology – Information Technology (IT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Data Science
4. Finance
It has been a mixed bag for women in Canada when it comes to access to leadership positions. Some areas show increasing representation, but significant barriers remain.
The best online programs for women in Canada to boost earnings are concentrated chiefly in high-demand fields such as technology, healthcare, and business.
The highest-paying job for women in Canada in 2026 is that of a Surgeon with a yearly salary ranging from CAD 200,000 to CAD 300,000.
Source: upGrad Blog
This depends on the profession you are working in. For example, as a Surgeon, you need deep knowledge of anatomy and medical science.
Having a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree helps women in Canada secure well-paying leadership positions.
