Getting a part-time job to help with living and educational expenses is one of the best aspects of being an international student in Canada. Whether you want to pursue a career in medicine, law, engineering, or any other successful field, there are many well-paying part-time jobs that you can work on the weekends, in the evenings, and during school breaks.

In order to make your time as a student more financially independent, we have done the homework, combed through job sites, verified salaries, and produced a fantastic list of the best part-time jobs in Canada that pay well for international students.

Nevertheless, there are a few things you must do in order to be considered for that job, so let’s start there.

For reference, the minimum wage for students in Canada is in and around CA$13 (it changes a little from state to state). As is the case in any country, the most popular part time jobs often pay close to minimum wage, but we’ve tried to find ones that pay above that.

1. Server/bartender

It’s not the highest paying job per hour in Canada but remember those tips! In Canada, a 15-20% tip is expected, so tending a bar or working as a waiter in a restaurant can be a great job, potentially earning you hundreds (even over a thousand) of dollars a week!

2. Sales assistant

A great job for weekends when town and city centers become filled up with shoppers. Obviously, the pace of the job depends on where you might work, from a clothing boutique to a corner shop, to a supermarket.

Either way, the pay is steady, and some sales assistants even get small commissions on sales they make!

3. Barista

A step above bartending or waiting on the hourly pay scale, but it doesn’t come with the same lucrative tips. That said, you’ll learn how to make great coffee, it’s not the most difficult skill to learn.

And a bonus — work the morning shift and you’ll see people literally turn from drowsy zombies to caffeine-charged humans over a single drink.

4. Dog walker

These days, people are so busy with their lives that they are willing to pay others to take their dogs for a walk. Crazy, but crazy good. There are plenty of dog walking businesses you could apply to, or you could work for yourself.

If you choose to do the latter, do bear in mind that if you live in a big city, you might need to apply for a municipal license. That’s usually a simple process you can arrange on Google, and then it’s just a matter of finding customers, rounding up your dogs and hitting the streets!

5. Tutor

Tutor what? Whatever you’re good at! Maybe you were good at Math in school or Science, or you know, any subject. Well, you could apply those skills by working part time with elementary or high school kids in your spare time.

You can charge whatever you want (more or less), but the average tutor in Canada gets about $16 per hour. Granted, you’ll have to be resourceful about how you find students, but with the power of social media these days, the odds are in your favor.

6. Ride sharing driver/delivery driver

Driving for the likes of Uber or Lyft has become one of the most popular part time jobs in the world. You can work whenever you like, and the pay is great.

The only issue (apart from potentially rude customers) is that you need a car… So you might want to consider being a bicycle courier instead. Most major cities have bicycle food delivery services — UberEATs for example. The pay is often a few dollars below driving a car (around $17 per hour), but hey, a bicycle is a lot cheaper than a car!

Freelancing

Let’s talk about being a freelancer. Many student-help articles tell you that you can make easy money working as a part time freelancer, without mentioning the actual profession. Sometimes they claim that you’ll make $30 or more per hour. They’re not lying — you can, but it’s rare, so they’re not quite telling the truth either.

Let’s clear a few things up: Freelancers set their own prices depending on their experience, skill, etc, but it’s up to clients to decide whether or not to hire them. It’s tough to get clients, especially as a student, but it’s not impossible by any means.

Read Also: Where Can I Get a Job as a Graphic Designer?

There are plenty of freelancer platforms online that you can register on to try to find jobs, so you won’t be lacking in opportunities to try to find work. What we’re really trying to say is: if you want to work freelance as an international student, give it a go, but we can’t guarantee a steady wage.

If you are considering going for it though, play to your strengths and do something you’re already quite good at (or keen to get better at).

Three of the best freelance jobs for international students in Canada are:

• Translator
  • Given that you speak at least two languages, this one could be easy money!
• Content writer
  • Writing words on the internet (like these ones you’re reading!). You’ll need to be confident in your literary skills though.
• Web developer / Designer
  • This is a specialist one, ideal for computer science or graphic design students. The pay is usually great though!

The average hourly wage for international students in Canada ranges from $13 to $20.42 per hour, depending on the province, city, and type of job. International students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks.

The average international student salary in Canada is $62,425 per year or $32.01 per hour. However, the actual amount you can earn will vary depending on your job, experience, and education level.

How to Obtain a High-paying Job

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you obtain a high-paying job:

1. Consider your interests

If you want to obtain a high-paying job, it’s important to consider your interests to help you choose a specific industry. To develop a better understanding of your interests, you can consider what you enjoy doing in your personal life. You can use your interests to determine the industry in which you want to work. You can then explore different job titles within that industry that are high-paying.

2. Work efficiently in your current position

You can obtain a higher-paying position and raises by working hard and excelling in your current position. This shows supervisors and team leaders that you’re a strong employee. During annual reviews, you can use the opportunity to ask for a raise. You can also use this experience and work ethic to seek higher-paying positions in other private or public organizations.

3. Build a network

You can benefit from building a strong network and attending networking events because they provide you with information about career opportunities and skills training. Networking with other professionals can provide you with advice that helps you expand in your current job position. Those within your network can also inform you of new job opportunities that have higher salaries and may interest you.

4. Develop skills

If you want to obtain a higher-paying job, you may benefit from building your skills and using those skills in new jobs and responsibilities. For example, you can benefit from learning multiple languages if you live in an area that has a range of personalities and spoken languages. You may ask your supervisor for potential skills workshops to develop skills that relate directly to the company. That way, team leaders and supervisors can have a better understanding of your range of skills.

5. Complete additional responsibilities

You can obtain a higher-paying position by asking your supervisor if you can complete additional responsibilities. This provides you with the opportunity to showcase your skills and prove your ability to work in alternative roles. If you ask for a promotion at a later date, you can discuss your previous accomplishment of these responsibilities. Alternatively, you can use these new responsibilities to seek other job positions by including them in your resume and cover letter.

6. Discuss internal job positions

You can find a higher-paying job within the company for which you currently work. The company may prefer to promote you for a job position than interview new candidates. If you want an internal position with the company, it’s beneficial to discuss available jobs with your team leader. You can also discuss your ideal job title within the company and ask the team leader how you can achieve that position. They can provide you with a list of the required skills and qualifications.

You can also ask if there are existing career advancement opportunities that allow you to obtain higher education while working with the company. This allows you to fulfill additional education requirements while building experience with the organization.

9 of the Highest Paying Jobs

You could be interested in optimizing your income if you’re seeking for a job where your pay is determined by the number of hours you put in. Taking into account your interests outside of work and hobbies could lead to high-paying hourly jobs in your field. This might also help you figure out which career best fits your objectives. The nine highest paying hourly jobs are listed here, along with information on how to apply for them.

Here’s a list of the highest hourly paying jobs you may obtain, depending on your career and professional interests:

1. Anesthesiologist

National average salary: $339,609 per year

Anesthesiologists administer medication to patients to help prevent pain and sensations during surgeries and operations. Their daily responsibilities also include the evaluation and supervision of patient care during surgeries. Depending on their assessments, anesthesiologists administer anesthesia to their patients, which contributes to optimal patient safety.

2. Obstetrics and gynecology physician

National average salary: $272,793 per year

Obstetrics and gynecology physicians are professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that impact women. These professionals also diagnose the different types of cancers that affect these patients and support them during the onset of natural conditions, such as menopause.

They work with future mothers to help explain the process of pregnancy and childbirth. Obstetrics and gynecology physicians perform regular assessments and checkups with their patients to help determine their overall health and wellness. When their patients give birth, they also provide them with postpartum care.

3. Orthodontist

National average salary: $185,574 per year

Orthodontists specialize in the diagnosis and prevention of issues involving patient teeth. These professionals use and design appliances used in orthodontics, which help them realign a patient’s teeth. Orthodontists also manage patient fitting for devices like dentures and braces. These professionals use diagnostic tests to determine the overall condition of their patient’s teeth, and they discuss those diagnoses with their patients in follow-up sessions.

4. Psychiatrist

National average salary: $277,772 per year

Psychiatrists develop diagnoses for their patients and provide them with consistent psychosocial help throughout their sessions. These professionals develop treatment plans to help their patients overcome obstacles in their personal lives. They typically combine biological and psychological methods when providing patients with treatments.

This requires an assessment of the potential biological factors that contribute to the mental health issues of their patients. Psychiatrists subsequently combine medication and psychological treatment strategies to help with treatment.

5. Chief executive officer

National average salary: $123,819 per year

Chief executive officers manage and direct companies to help accomplish their goals. This is the highest position within organizations, and these professionals typically report to a board of directors. They manage teams of executives to help with the company’s daily operations. Chief executive officers (CEO) also communicate regularly with shareholders, stakeholders, and government entities. These professionals create and implement the company’s mission when making decisions for the organization.

6. Chief financial officer

National average salary: $128,626 per year

Chief financial officers (CFO) manage the company’s daily financial interests and activities. This includes the development of financial models and the analysis and preparation of financial statements. These professionals reconcile both income and expenses while reviewing the company’s financial situation. Chief financial officers also oversee the relationship between companies and independent auditors. They also collaborate with chief information officers regarding technological decisions. These professionals typically manage the company’s relationships with investors, investment institutions, and banks.