The average salaries earned by university professors in Canada vary depending on the institution they graduate from, its rank, and the province. However, most professors at Canadian institutions earn an average of CAD 111,000 to CAD 153,000 per annum.
Various other factors also influence the salaries of university professors in Canada. These include the university’s teaching department, professors’ total work experience, and their qualifications and skills, among others.
This blog takes a closer look at how much professors make in Canada to help you get a general understanding of what to expect after graduating with the relevant degree program.
What Does A University Professor Do?
The following are the core responsibilities of University Professors in Canada:
1. Mentoring and Teaching
- Delivering and Preparing Lectures, Leading Labs, and Conducting Discussion Groups and Seminars
- Developing Course Curricula, Selecting Reading Materials, and Preparing Course Materials
- Preparing, Grading, and Administering Assignments, Reports, and Exams
- Advising Students on Academic Matters, Career Decisions, and Course Selection
- Supervising and Mentoring Research Programs of Graduate Students for Dissertations and Theses
2. Publication and Research
- Conducting Independent and Original Research in Their Area of Specialization
- Publishing Research Findings on Peer-Reviewed Avenues like Books and Scholarly Journals
- Securing External Research Funding through Fellowships and Grants to Support Research Teams and Projects
- Presenting Research Findings at International and National Seminars and Conferences
3. Administration and Service
- Serving on Faculty, University-Wide, and Departmental Committees
- Performing Administrative Duties, Including Managerial Roles like Program Director or Department Chair for Senior Professors
- Providing Professional Consultative Services to Government, Private, or Industry Organizations
- Representing the University as Expert Commentators or Guest Lecturers for Public Affairs Programs
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Starting Salaries for University Lecturers and Professors in Canada
The following table shows the starting salaries for University Lecturers and Professors in Canada, based on rank:
| Job Role | Starting Annual Salary Range |
| Professor Emeritus | CAD 109,000 – CAD 154,000 |
| Professor | CAD 110,000 – CAD 153,000 |
| Associate Professor | CAD 110,000 – CAD 138,000 |
| Visiting Professor | CAD 76,000 – CAD 135,000 |
| Assistant Professor Teaching Stream | CAD 90,000 – CAD 129,000 |
| Assistant Professor | CAD 90,000 – CAD 128,000 |
| University Lecturer | CAD 58,000 – CAD 116,000 |
| Adjunct Professor | CAD 54,000 – CAD 108,000 |
| Instructor | CAD 49,000 – CAD 89,000 |
Sources: Glassdoor, as of December 3, 2025
University Professor Salary in Canada: What the Data Says
The 2025 data on professors’ salary ranges in Canada suggests that their average salaries are likely to differ by rank. For instance, a professor at a Canadian university may earn approximately CAD 111,000 to CAD 153,000 per annum, while an Associate Professor earns approximately CAD 110,000 to CAD 138,000 per annum.
The following are the most prominent salary insights for Professors in Canada:
Provincial Salary Insights
Ontario is the highest-paying province for Professors. Here, salaries can be as high as CAD 278,981 per year, as in Barrio, and CAD 278,962 per year, as in Greater Sudbury. The next name on this list will be British Columbia. The highest salaries in this province are generally paid in Vancouver.
Source: Indeed, as of November 15, 2025
Rank-Based Salary Insights
In Canada, Full-Time Professors earn between CAD 110,000 and CAD 153,000 per year, with an average salary of CAD 130,000. On the other hand, Assistant Professors in Canada earn between CAD 90,000 and CAD 128,000, with an average salary of CAD 107,000.
Sources: Glassdoor, as of November 20, 2025
Experience-Based Salary Insights
The following table shows the salaries of Professors in Canada at various stages of their careers:
| Career Stage | Annual Salary Range | Annual Average Salary |
| 1-3 years | CAD 81,000 – CAD 120,000 | CAD 99,000 |
| 4-6 years | CAD 82,000 – CAD 126,000 | CAD 102,000 |
| 7-9 years | CAD 90,000 – CAD 135,000 | CAD 110,000 |
| 10-14 years | CAD 110,000 – CAD 153,000 | CAD 130,000 |
| 15 + years | CAD 113,000 – CAD 173,000 | CAD 140,000 |
Sources: Glassdoor, as of November 20, 2025
Assistant Professors in Canadian study institutions are likely to draw an annual pay package in the range of CAD 71,000 – CAD 110,000. The table below better highlights these differences in salary ranges for different ranks of university professors in Canada:
| Rank | Average Salary Range (Approx) |
| Assistant Professor | CAD 71,000 – CAD 110,000 per annum |
| Associate Professor | CAD 110,000 – CAD 138,000 per annum |
| Full Professor | CAD 111,000 – CAD 153,000 per annum |
Source: Glassdoor
1. Assistant Professor
An Assistant Professor is generally an early-to-mid-career role, usually preceding that of an Associate or Full Professor. These educators work in a university or college as part of the faculty and teach a specific field of study. They also conduct research in a specific area. Since the academic rank is lower than that of an Associate or Full Professor, the salary drawn by an Assistant Professor is also relatively lower than that of their counterparts.
Also read: Salary After Doctorate in Education in Canada
2. Associate Professor
Associate Professors in Canada are involved in teaching, research, and other academic and administrative roles at universities. They are generally positioned between Assistant Professors and Full Professors in a mid-career role. Since their academic rank is at the middle level, their salary range falls somewhere between that of an Assistant Professor and a Full Professor in Canada.
Also read: Is upGrad’s M.Ed. for Teachers the Right Way to Build a Career in Canada?
3. Full Professor
This is the highest academic rank held by the teaching faculty at Canadian universities, which also explains their salaries (appearing in the highest range). The salary is directly proportional to the specialized skills these professionals possess, reflecting continuous academic excellence in their respective fields of study across teaching, research, and service.
4. All Ranks Combined (Median)
From a salary perspective, professors at Canadian study institutions are generally very well compensated. They tend to move up the ranks (Assistant -> Associate -> Full Professor), enabling them not only to assume senior leadership positions in the field but also to secure higher pay packages. The median salary range for Professors in Canada (across all ranks) is around CAD 160,000 per annum (CAD 120,000-180,000).
5. Institution Type Difference (U15 vs Others)
Professors at U15 universities in Canada generally earn higher pay packages than those at other institutions. This is particularly true given the average base pay range. This is also attributed to the fact that U15 universities are generally more research-intensive, thus offering higher salary packages to attract and retain top-class faculty. The average salary range for professors at the University of Alberta (a U15 institution) is estimated between CAD 48,000 and CAD 305,000 per annum.
Also read: Full-Time vs. Part-Time M.Ed. Programs in Canada
5 Highest-Paying Cities in Canada for University Professors
The following are the highest-paying cities in Canada for University Professors and Lecturers:
- Toronto, Ontario: Toronto consistently ranks among the highest-paying cities for University Professors and Lecturers in Canada. This is especially true for Assistant Professors, who receive significantly higher average salaries than the rest of the country.
- Greater Sudbury, Ontario: Greater Sudbury, Ontario, is one of the top cities in Canada for Full Professors, and their salaries are much higher than the national average.
- Edmonton, Alberta: Edmonton offers a high median wage for both of these professionals.
- Calgary, Alberta: Calgary is very similar to Edmonton, offering competitive salaries for academics.
- Vancouver, British Columbia: Vancouver is also noted for offering high salaries, with Assistant Professors earning really high salaries over here.
Factors that Influence Professor Salaries
The academic rank of a professor is one of the key factors affecting salary differences across Canadian study institutions. Additionally, their specific field of study, the institution’s location, the region’s cost of living, and the institution’s rank and reputation are noteworthy factors.
- Study area: Certain fields are in higher demand, offering a more lucrative earning potential. These include law, business, medicine, and the like. Professors in these disciplines are thus likely to earn more than their counterparts in other disciplines.
- Years of experience: The number of years of experience that professors hold in their respective fields also helps determine their salaries. Generally, pay increases proportionately with experience.
- Type of institution: As stated earlier, U15 institutions in Canada tend to offer faculty higher salaries. Likewise, universities that receive higher funding or rank highly are also more competitive in their salary offerings.
Also read: Career Paths after Completing an Ed.D in Canada
Job Outlook and Demand for Professors in Canada in 2026
In 2026 and beyond, the demand for University Professors and Lecturers in Canada will increase. Projections indicate that thousands of new roles will open due to a combination of factors, including new programs, expansion, and replacement needs as current professors retire.
Despite the general demand for these professionals, there are more Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates in Canada for tenure-track and full-time positions available. Research-intensive, top-tier universities receive many applications for a single opening. This, in turn, makes the market extremely competitive.
The demand for educators in post-secondary educational institutions in Canada has also grown due to increasing student enrolment and population growth across provinces.
The demand for these professionals also varies significantly based on region and province. The following are the provinces with high demand for Professors in Canada:
- Ontario
- Quebec
- Alberta
- British Columbia
The northern and rural areas often have less competition and more openings for these positions compared to the prime urban centers.
High-Demand Academic Fields for Professors in Canada
Specific fields, like the following, see a higher demand for Professors in Canada than other subjects:
1. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Sciences like Chemistry and Physics
2. Professional Fields
- Business
- Law
3. Specialized Areas
- French Language Education
- French Immersion Education
Career Path to Become a Professor in Canada
The following is the most prominent career path that you can follow to become a Professor in Canada:
1. Educational Foundation (8-10 Years and More)
- Bachelor’s Degree (4 Years)
- Master’s Degree (1-2 Years)
- PhD and Other Doctoral Degrees (4-6+ Years)
2. Post-Doctoral Stage and Experience
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship (1-3 Years)
- Contract or Sessional Teaching
- Developing a Strong Publication Record
- Securing Research Funding
3. Securing a Professorship
- Applying for Tenure-Track Positions
- Interviews
- Progression of Ranks
All these steps are essential in their own ways in your quest to become a Professor in Canada. For example, you need a relevant undergraduate degree and strong academic standing to gain admission to a Master’s program.
A Master’s degree program helps you specialize your domain knowledge further after a Bachelor’s degree in the same discipline.
A post-doc fellowship is an optional part of this journey, but it is relatively common among students working to become Professors in Canada.
Tenure-track positions are permanent faculty positions that offer you job security as well as the opportunity to achieve tenure eventually.
Essential Skills Required to Become a Professor in Canada
The most critical skills needed to be a Professor in Canada are:
- Research Expertise
- Communication Skills
- Academic Rigor
- Adaptability and Resilience
How upGrad Can Help You Build a Career that Leads to Professorship
Keen on practicing as a Professor in Canada? Take the first step with a professional qualification and the required academic credentials. The best part? You can earn these credentials from the comfort of your home on the upGrad Canada platform. Some of the best universities offer top-notch online programs in Education, enabling graduates to gain valuable teaching experience.
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) from the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell)
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) by Edgewood University
- Dual M.Ed. and Ed.D. Degree Program by Edgewood University
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FAQs on How Much do Professors Make in Canada
The average annual salary range for a professor at a Canadian university lies in the range of CAD 71,000 – CAD 153,000 per annum (approximately). However, this is likely to vary from one professor to another, as well as by academic rank and other factors.
The average salaries of all three ranks of professors in Canada are as follows:
1. Assistant Professors – CAD 71,000 – CAD 110,000 per annum
2. Associate Professors – CAD 110,000 – CAD 138,000 per annum
3. Full Professors – CAD 111,000 – CAD 153,000 per annum
Yes, professors at research-intensive institutions generally earn higher salaries than their counterparts at other universities in Canada. This is because of their specialized skills and higher funding opportunities for such institutions.
In addition to their base salary, professors in Canada can apply for research grants, administrative stipends, and consulting work.
upGrad supports aspiring educators and other professionals seeking careers in academia by offering a variety of top-quality online education programs on its platform. These programs are offered on upGrad in partnership with accredited universities, which enhances their credibility and value in the job market.
The primary responsibilities of University Professors and Lecturers in Canada are research, teaching, and service to their communities and institutions. While both roles involve instructions, professors typically have more extensive administrative duties and research responsibilities.
The minimum educational qualification required to become a University Professor or Lecturer in Canada is a doctoral degree, such as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
You need teaching, mentoring, research, intellect, management, and professional skills to be University Professors and Lecturers in Canada.
Yes, there is significant potential for career advancement in academia in Canada.
Yes, you do have some rare fully remote positions for University Professors and Lecturers in Canada.
In Canada, the salaries of University Professors and Lecturers typically progress through a structured system of academic ranks. Performance-based reviews and annual increments augment it.
