Professor / Academic
Teach, research, and advance knowledge at a Canadian university - a highly competitive but deeply rewarding path.
Professor / Academic Salary in Canada
Professor / Academics in Canada earn about $80,000 at entry level and around $180,000 in senior roles.
- Entry level: $80,000
- Senior level: $180,000
Full professors at research universities earn $150,000-$180,000+. Tenure-track positions are very competitive.
About the Career
Academic positions are highly competitive - a PhD and strong publication record are required. Federal caps on international students have led to budget cuts and hiring freezes at many institutions.
Job Outlook
Competitive demand. Academic positions are highly competitive - a PhD and strong publication record are required. Federal caps on international students have led to budget cuts and hiring freezes at many institutions.
How to Get There
- BSc/BA + MSc/MA + PhD (typically 12-14 years post-Grade 12)
- Time to career: 12-14 years post-Grade 12
Key Skills
- Teaching & Curriculum Design
- Research & Publishing
- Grant Writing
- Mentoring
- Public Speaking
Typical Employers
- Universities & colleges
- Research institutes
- Government research agencies
- Industry R&D labs
High School Roadmap
- Follow your deepest intellectual interests. Read widely beyond the curriculum.
- Engage deeply with subjects you love. Enter competitions in your strongest area.
- Research how PhD programs work. Identify faculty whose research excites you at top Canadian universities.
- Apply to the strongest possible undergrad program in your field.
Top Universities for This Path
- University of Toronto – Toronto, ON
- McGill University – Montreal, QC
- University of British Columbia – Vancouver, BC
- University of Waterloo – Waterloo, ON
- University of Alberta – Edmonton, AB
Insider Tips
- Undergraduate research experience (working in a professor's lab) is essential for competitive PhD program applications.
- The academic job market is very competitive in most fields - have a plan B in industry or government.
- Canada's top research universities (UofT, UBC, McGill, Waterloo) produce the most successful academic applicants.