Last Updated on June 26, 2024 by II Editor
If you don’t have a college degree, it can feel overwhelming to plan your career path. However, there are many great jobs in Canada that don’t require a formal degree. With the right training and experience, you can launch a successful career without ever setting foot in a college classroom.
In this article, we will explore the top non-degree jobs available across various industries in Canada. From skilled trades like welding to office careers like HR coordinator, we’ll cover the education, skills and training needed for each role. We’ll also dive into expected salaries and future growth projections.
By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of high-paying career options that are open to you without a degree. With focus and determination, any of these roles can take you far in your career journey. Let’s get started exploring!
Skilled Trades
One of the most common paths into well-paying jobs without a degree is through the skilled trades. These roles involve practical, hands-on work in fields like construction, manufacturing, and repair services.
Welder
Welders join metal components using heat, pressures and filler material. To become a welder in Canada, you’ll typically complete a 1-2 year welding program at a trade school or community college. Programs teach skills like metal preparation, layout techniques, safety procedures, and various welding and cutting processes.
Once trained, welder jobs are found across many industries like shipbuilding, pipefitting, machinery manufacturing and more. Average welder salary in Canada is $44,780 but highly skilled welders can earn over $70,000. The welding field is also projected to see very strong 11% job growth over the next decade.
Electrician
As an electrician, you’ll install, maintain and repair electrical systems in all types of residential, commercial and industrial buildings. To enter this career, you’ll complete a 4-year electrical apprenticeship program, which involves both classroom study and on-the-job training. Apprentices start as apprentice electricians, earning about $35,000 annually and progressing to journeyperson status after 4 years at $67,000 on average.
Electricians are in high demand. Job prospects are excellent nationally and salaries are above average. Electrician is also one of the fastest growing occupations in Canada with over 13% projected growth by 2030.
Plumber
Plumbing work involves installing, repairing and maintaining water pipes, drainage and ventilation systems. Most provinces require plumbers to complete a 4-5 year apprenticeship program, progressing from apprentice to journeyperson status. Apprentices earn around $30,000 to start while licensed journeyperson plumbers average $63,700 annually nationally.
As with other trades, plumbers are considered essential workers. Demand remains strong for new plumbers given an aging workforce and steady construction industry. Plumbers can expect very good career prospects across Canada.
Mechanic
Mechanics inspect, maintain and repair vehicles like cars, trucks, heavy equipment and more. Training options include 2-3 year college diploma programs or paid apprenticeships. Mechanic apprentices start with a salary around $30,000 and become fully certified journeypersons earning about $52,000 on average after 4 years of experience.
With vehicles playing a key role in industrial, commercial and daily life, mechanics will remain a stable career choice. Most mechanics specialize in areas like auto, heavy duty, motorcycle or small engine repair for steady job availability. Future growth rates of 7-9% are expected across mechanic specializations nationally over the next decade as well.
Healthcare Careers
Even without medical degrees, there are many well-paying allied healthcare roles available. These involve providing hands-on care, administration support or technical services to patients and medical facilities.
Medical Lab Technician
Medical Lab Technicians, or MLTs, perform diagnostic medical tests on patient samples like blood, urine and tissues. A two-year college diploma is required to become an MLT in Canada. Graduates can anticipate starting salaries around $50,000 nationally.
Job demand for MLTs remains very strong given Canada’s aging population and increased emphasis on diagnostic testing. The field is projected to see 16% employment growth over the next 10 years. MLTs tend to specialize in areas like hematology, microbiology, chemistry or blood banking for stable careers across hospitals and labs.
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technicians assist licensed pharmacists by preparing medications, maintaining inventory, processing insurance claims and more. Training involves a 1-2 year college program. Graduates start around $35,000 annually, rising with experience.
Growth in medication use means increased demand for pharmacy support staff. Pharmacy Technician jobs are projected to climb 12% through 2030. Technicians enjoy excellent mobility, working in hospitals, drug stores or specialized areas like compounding or nuclear pharmacies nationally.
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral disease and provide preventative dental health education. A two-year college diploma specializing in dental hygiene is required. Recent graduates earn a starting median salary around $70,000 across Canada.
As good oral healthcare becomes more of a priority, demand for preventative dental services is steadily rising. Dental hygienists can expect a robust 12% increase in job opportunities over the coming decade. Careers span general and specialty dental practices, public health programs, hospitals and more.
Massage Therapist
Massage therapists relieve muscle pain, injuries and stress through therapeutic massage techniques. Training involves a two-year college massage therapy diploma or apprenticeship. Graduates start with an average salary of $42,000 nationally, increasing with experience and specializations like sports or physiotherapy massage.
With alternative therapies growing in popularity, massage therapy positions are projected to jump nearly 20% in Canada through 2030. Therapists enjoy versatile careers in multidisciplinary clinics, private practices, athletic teams, spas and more.
Office & Administration Careers
Well-paying office careers that don’t require a university degree offer alternatives in business support, customer service and more.
Administrative Assistant
Admin assistants support business operations through clerical and administrative tasks like scheduling, record-keeping, digital communications and more. Formal education at the college diploma level (1-2 years) equips assistants with skills like business software, bookkeeping, minute-taking and providing exceptional customer service.
Median starting salary for assistants nationwide is around $35,000. Experienced executives assistants in major urban centers can earn over $50,000 supporting C-level executives. With technology optimizing routine tasks, administrative careers focus more on problem-solving high-level support for growing companies.
Human Resources Coordinator
HR coordinators assist HR managers by maintaining personnel files, overseeing new-hire paperwork, employee benefits questions and basic payroll tasks. Training involves HR certificate programs of 1-2 years through community colleges and universities.
Coordinators start around $40,000 nationally on average, scaling up to $55,000-plus with valuable experience and responsibilities. HR support demand remains high given regulatory compliance requirements and steady staffing growth across all industries. Coordinators build versatile careers in recruitment, benefits administration and other specialized HR functions.
Sales Representative
Sales representatives sell products or services directly to business and consumer clients. Formal post-secondary education is not always mandatory. Many reps launch careers through on-the-job training offered by large companies.
Depending on industry, entry-level salaries range from $30,000 to $50,000 across Canada. Top earning sales professionals with strong proven track records earn six-figure incomes. As technology enables remote selling, reps enjoy location flexibility. Careers span industries from staffing agencies to medical device sales to software firms.
Training & Apprenticeships
For some roles, on-the-job training and apprenticeships provide an affordable path for career-seekers without requiring college tuition. These options allow ambitious individuals to learn while earning competitive wages. Let’s explore some examples:
Millwright Apprentice
Millwrights install, maintain and repair industrial machinery across forestry, manufacturing, energy and more. Apprentices start with paid on-site training, earning over $35,000 annually. After 4 years, journeypersons earn an average of $67,000 annually. Steady demand comes from large industrial projects nation-wide.
Insurance Broker Apprentice
Insurance brokers advise clients on coverage needs and sell policies. Many brokerages offer paid apprenticeships allowing new hires to build clients while studying towards licensing exams. Starting pay ranges from $30,000 to $50,000 annually depending on city and firm size. Top brokers earn six-figures annually representing both individuals and commercial clients.
Automotive Service Technician Apprentice
Technicians perform repairs, maintenance and inspections on automobiles. Sponsoring dealerships and independent shops provide 4 years of combined classroom study and hands-on training. Apprentices start at $30,000 annually, scaling up to $52,000 as licensed journeypersons. Steady work exists at dealerships, repair shops and fleet servicing companies nationwide.
Conclusion
With the right skills and training, wonderful career options exist for driven individuals without college degrees. The key is developing strong technical abilities through programs like apprenticeships, diplomas or company training programs. Commit to continuously upgrading your skills as technology evolves your industry. Also consider specializing in niche areas to increase demand for your expertise.
While a degree isn’t necessary, developing complementary soft skills will help advance your career. Skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork and client service experience will make you a strong candidate. Consider learning other languages too for opportunities in diverse communities across Canada.
No matter your background, focus on gaining relevant experience through co-ops, volunteer positions or contract work. This proves your potential to future employers. Maintain professional networks by participating in industry events and associations as well.
Canada has a growing need for skilled tradespersons, healthcare technicians, sales representatives, office support staff and more. With determination and resilience, any of these pathways can lead to a rewarding and financially secure career without academic credentials. Focus on continuous self-improvement, staying marketable and success will follow. I hope this guide has provided valuable insights into fantastic non-degree jobs across varied sectors in Canada. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.
