Highest Paying Jobs in Canada After College Graduation (Despite Covid)

OVID-19 has presented us with many challenges and issues, one of them being job security. Despite that, there are still many occupations that are high in demand — and they’re not just in healthcare. They include technology, trades, personal care, and even the arts. 

The pandemic gave many the opportunity to pursue something new or try something they’ve always wanted to. Whether you’re young and looking to start your career, or an older established worker who’s looking for a change, a college diploma might be right for you. But in the climate of the pandemic, and the way it’s been affecting jobs and the economy, you want to make sure that the path you choose is a viable option once you finish. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the fields where you can make the most money after graduation, despite (or in light of) limitations from COVID. These jobs are some of the highest paying jobs in Canada, especially Alberta, that you can get at the college level. With a little negotiation, you can also increase your starting pay by making a good argument for yourself and why you deserve it. 

All wages will be compared to the average entry level salary in Canada for 2021, which is $21.45 per hour or about $41,832 CAD per year.  

Mobile app development

This is one of the most popular and sought after career paths. Majority of people do pretty much everything from their phones now, so if a company didn’t have an app before, they definitely need one now — that’s where mobile app developers come in. Not only that, people are always on the lookout for new, fresh apps that can provide them with comfort, convenience or entertainment (or a combination of all three). Companies pay a good amount of money to invest into developing or maintaining their apps, so you can be sure that you’ll be getting decent pay, even if you are just starting out. 

Starting wage range: $31.14 on average, with the highest going up to $39.70 per hour

Average wage range: $41.84, with the top average being $58.96 per hour

Entry level mobile app developers can make about at least $20,000 more yearly as compared to the average starting Canadian income. 

Network and systems administration

Network administrators and other jobs in information technology (IT) have become increasingly crucial to keep businesses running. Businesses need to keep up with the rapidly changing technological situation of the times, and cannot do so without the help of network administrators to keep things running smoothly and minimizing problems. Maintaining network security is a priority for companies, especially since COVID has most people working remotely. The field also has one of the highest pays for new graduates looking to use their skills. 

Starting wage range: $28.63 on average, with the highest going up to $43.50 per hour

Average wage range: $35.12 to $56.95 per hour on the higher end 

Entry level network and systems administrators can make about at least $14,000 more yearly as compared to the average starting Canadian income. 

Digital marketing

With more people not being able to physically go to a store and end up spending lots of time on social media, the need for digital marketing is greater than ever. It can be very challenging for businesses, if not impossible, to survive if they don’t have a digital presence online or have a bad digital marketing strategy. As e-commerce is quickly becoming the status quo for much of our shopping needs, the skills and experience of digital marketers is invaluable. Companies tend to look for new graduates in the field as they are more familiar with the upcoming trends and changes in the digital sphere, and tend to pay them more. 

Starting wage range: $28.73 on average, with the highest going up to $46.15 per hour

Average wage range: $36.24 to $70.05 per hour on the higher end 

Entry level digital marketers can make about at least $14,000 more yearly as compared to the average starting Canadian income.

Web design and development 

Because of the lockdowns, restrictions, and overall safety, many businesses are now solely operating online. Thanks to COVID, even small businesses who only relied on foot traffic previously are in need of a website — something that a new web design and development grad can easily put together. For companies to continue business as usual or expand, they need three main things for their website: a page that loads fast, is pleasing to the eye, and easy to navigate. Aesthetics and interface of a website is one of the key things that drives businesses and keeps them going, which is part of the incentive of giving a high pay in this role. 

Starting wage range: $26.39 on average, with the highest going up to $47.19 per hour

Average wage range: $34.62 to $54.10 per hour on the higher end 

Entry level web designers and developers can make about at least $10,000 more yearly as compared to the average starting Canadian income.

Accounting and payroll administration 

Even though we’re in a pandemic, people still have jobs or are searching for them — and of course, they need to get paid. That’s why the job of an accounting and payroll administrator is evergreen. Payroll administrators have an important, detailed job to do, especially in the pandemic. With work morale quite low because of the pandemic, sometimes getting paid properly is the only motivation that people have left. Workers in this role are essential and highly valued, that’s why they have one of the higher pay rates straight out of graduation. 

Starting wage range: $25.37 on average, with the highest going up to $36.22 per hour

Average wage range: $29.35 to $41.96 per hour on the higher end 

Entry level accounting and payroll administrators can make about at least $10,000 more yearly as compared to the average starting Canadian income. 

Technology is the present and future 

As you may have noticed, most of these jobs that pay higher than the usual are in the technological realm or dealing with work that happens online. Increasingly, that’s where the trajectory of many jobs are heading in the future. The need to be accessible digitally has become the norm and has changed the way we work for the foreseeable future, particularly with COVID. It also helps to keep life going while stopping the spread of the virus. 

These jobs will withstand the test of time, unless we have a major shift in the way we operate. You can have the confidence of knowing that once you graduate from any of these programs, you can make a decent wage as a starting salary, pandemic or not, and it can only go uphill from there. 

Getting a college diploma and working in a new field can be an extremely difficult task in this day and age, but it is also a sign of strength and you can have the comfort of knowing that you're able to take on any challenge that life may throw your way.