Becoming a teacher in Canada is not as easy as you would think, especially when you want to increase your salary. Here is a guide for teachers in Canada to find the best paying teaching jobs within their profession after graduation
INTRODUCTION
Here at Recruiter, we’ve put together this guide to help you understand how your Canadian teaching salary stacks up. Our guide provides you with the average salaries for teachers in Canada, based on recent statistics from Statistics Canada. We then go on to explain the factors which determine a teacher’s salary level, including:
Which Provinces in Canada Need Teachers?
Teaching is one of the most in-demand jobs in Canada but finding the best place to find work is crucial when it comes to the immigration process. Although teachers are in need in almost every province in Canada, the level and types of teaching jobs vary from province to province.
Teachers are treated well nationally and can not only expect to earn very attractive salaries but great work benefits too. Most teachers in Canada, according to Payscale, earn an average salary of $68,321 per year but can earn up to $96,000 depending on work experience, qualification, and level of your profession. You could also look forward to fantastic benefits such as employment insurance, sick and compassionate leave as well as paid parental leave, among others when you choose to teach in Canada.
But as mentioned previously, choosing the right place to immigrate to Canada is probably just as important as choosing the right immigration program, so let’s take a closer look at the top seven provinces for teachers to get permanent residency in Canada.Start Your Journey Now
Provinces Where You Can Find Teaching Jobs in Canada
1. Nunavut
Now, this may surprise you but Nunavut is not only a Canadian province that really needs teachers but is where you will earn the highest salary as an experienced educator. This is partially due to the high cost of living and remoteness but also due to the fact that the demand is so high. There are 44 public schools with over 9,000 students in need of elementary, middle, and high school teachers. According to the Nunavut government website, when you move to Nunavut, Canada as a teacher you can expect to earn as much as a whopping $122,360 CAD per year plus a Government living allowance of about $15,016 to $34,455 per year, on average!
Ways to Immigrate
Unfortunately, Nunavut does not have a Provincial Nominee Program linked to the federal economic immigration program. This means that you will have to apply directly to the territory. The government website isn’t the easiest one to navigate to find information on immigrating to Nunavut but not to worry, we can help you through the process.
2. Alberta
At the moment the most in-demand level of teaching jobs in Alberta are university professors and lecturers. According to Alis Alberta, professors and university professors and lecturers can expect to earn a salary of around $84,845 per year. To get a job at a university in Alberta you will need at least 8+ years of post-secondary qualification.
Best Ways to Immigrate to Alberta as a Teacher
- Express Entry; or
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program.
3. Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s prairie countries and although the labour market is mostly dominated by a need for agricultural and transportation employment opportunities, there are many other areas where foreigners could find jobs. In fact, there are so many in-demand occupations in Saskatchewan that the Government has decided to create a list of excluded occupations simply because the list will be shorter! Teaching jobs in Canada that are excluded or not in demand in Saskatchewan are elementary, kindergarten, and secondary teachers. This leaves post-secondary educators in demand and, according to erieri.com, you can earn an average of $87,190 per year. You will more than likely require a Doctorate to qualify for most positions.
Best Ways to Immigrate to Saskatchewan as a Teacher
- Express Entry; or
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).
4. British Columbia
British Columbia is most commonly known for being Canada’s tech capital but is also where you’ll find some of Canada’s top education institutions. Currently, teaching jobs that are most in need of qualified and skilled foreigners are not teachers themselves but elementary and secondary teachers’ assistants. This, however, doesn’t mean that there aren’t teaching positions available but that these are the most common job opportunities that urgently needs to be filled, and when you apply for an in-demand job, it could potentially help speed up the visa application process through specific Canadian immigration programs. As a teacher’s assistant in BC, you will not only gain valuable work experience but could earn around $50,638 annually. Take a look at what your life could be like living and working in British Columbia as an elementary and secondary school teacher’s assistant.
5. Quebec
Quebec is another province where you could find great teaching opportunities especially if your level of French is quite high. College and vocational instructors are the most needed in the province at the moment. Montreal is one of the most popular cities for immigrants to move to when looking to teach abroad and as an educator, you could expect to earn around $64,508 as a vocational or college instructor every year, according to Neuvoo.
Best Ways to Immigrate to Quebec as a Teacher
As with Nunavut, Quebec does not have a Provincial Nominee Program or Express Entry programs linked to the federal government immigration system. It has its own system known as Arima Portal, which means that you will be required to apply directly to the province. Unfortunately, we are not able to assist you with this process, however, you will be able to find more information on our website about how to apply for a visa through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.
6. Ontario
Ontario is probably one of the best places to immigrate to Canada as a teacher. Cities like Toronto, Guelph, and London are all fantastic places to find teaching jobs in Canada as a foreigner. As a qualified and skilled teacher living and working in Ontario, Canada you could expect to earn an elementary school teacher’s salary of around $63,126, according to salary.com, as well as receive comprehensive and highly competitive benefits packages including life insurance, extended healthcare, dental insurance, retirement plans paid parental leave and vacations and much much more. Take a look at some more reasons why living and working in Ontario is so great.
Best Ways to Immigrate to Ontario as a Teacher
- Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream or
7. Newfoundland & Labrador
If coastal life is something that you’re yearning for then Newfoundland and Labrador may be just the place that you’re looking for. Teaching abroad in Newfoundland and Labrador will give you the opportunity to earn an average salary of about $58,500 in a city like St. Johns as well as have access to allowances for about $2825 – $3,558 plus and additional $875 – $1,015 for travel! Not only are the offers attractive but you’ll be able to go for relaxing walks or hikes on the East Coast on trails such as Sugarloaf Path, Blackhead Path, or Stiles Cove, a coastal forest stretching from Pouch Cove to Flatrock. And if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, there are plenty of other vacation excursions such as whale and bird watching, iceberg viewing, museums, fishing, kayaking, and rafting, or simply dining at one of the many wonderful ocean view restaurants!
Best Ways to Immigrate to Newfoundland and Labrador as a Teacher
- Express Entry; or
- Newfoundland and Labrador Immigrant Nominee Program; and
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot.
CONCLUSION
In spite of the high standards that exist for teachers in Canada, the average salary that teachers receive is less than it would be if they worked in similar occupations. In addition, their salaries are not on par with other countries. The lack of respect that is given to teachers therefore contributes to the idea that differences between private and public education. In conclusion, education in Canada needs to start looking at this issue before other countries surpass them as leaders in education.
