Surprising Jobs that Pay Six-figure Salaries

Jobs in Canada aren't known for paying big wages, hence the brain drain that has some of our brightest young minds heading south for the promise of six-figure salaries. If you are planning to pack up your diploma right after graduation and leave the country in search of a dream job, think twice. There are jobs in Canada that pay a six-figure salary, and for some you don't even need a university degree!

Careers in the Natural Resources Sector

1. Mining and quarrying supervisor: Top 10 percent earn $105,000 or more
2. Chemical engineer: Top 10 percent earn $158,000 a year or more
3. Oil rig manager or wireline field supervisor: Top 5 percent earn $189,000 a year or more
4. Petroleum engineer: Top 10 percent earn $209,000 a year or more

Few people can say they make a six-figure salary without a university degree, but a high school diploma may the only educational requirement to become a drill rig manager. Wireline field supervisors require some post-secondary education to prepare them for working with electrical circuits. These guys work long hours at jobs that are both physically and mentally demanding, and they often have to travel far away from home. If this sort of work appeals to you, be prepared to complete short courses to earn safety and professional certifications, and to work your way up from an entry-level position.

Careers in the Sciences

5. Pharmacist: Top 10 percent earn $120,000
6. Astronomer or physicist: Top 10 percent earn $121,000 or more
7. Geologist, exploration geophysicist or hydrologist: Top 5 percent earn $245,000 or more

Whether your interest is in health sciences or physical sciences, in what lies beneath the ground or somewhere out in space, a Bachelor of Science degree can translate into a tidy sum of cold, hard cash. Geology and related careers are particularly interesting, as they offer both upward and lateral mobility. Some provinces even allow licensing for candidates who don't have the educational qualifications, after several years of supervised work.

Administrative and Management Careers with High Salaries

8. School principals or head masters: Top 10 percent earn $139,000 or more
9. Senior government managers and officials: Top 10 percent earn $139,000 or more
10. Engineering manager: Top 5 percent earn $214,000 or more

The number of British Columbia civil servants making six-figure salaries jumped by 22 percent from 2007 to 2009. A university degree or college diploma, plus some relevant managerial experience, are usually required to snag a job as a senior government manager.

With the right mix of engineering knowlege and management qualities, a career as an engineering manager is within reach. At just over $214,000, this type of job pays a lot better than chemical engineering. Because the engineering qualification can be either a degree or an engineering technology diploma, this is a great option for someone with managerial experience who is looking for a career upgrade. An aptitude for sciences is a must and engineering experience will be needed before that big promotion comes, but it can be done!

Source: Annual salary information provided by the Working in Canada Report and the 2009 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey.

Footnotes:

1) "Chemical engineers," (Regina Area.) Working in Canada Report (Government of Canada)

2) "Petroleum engineers," (Regina Area.) Working in Canada Report (Government of Canada)

3) "Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service" WAGEinfo / Alberta Wage and Salary Survey (Government of Alberta)

4) "Drilling and service rig managers." OCCinfo / Alberta Occupational Profiles (Government of Alberta)

5) "Wireline field supervisor." OCCinfo - Alberta Occupational Profiles (Government of Alberta)

6) "Pharmacists," (Athabasca / Grande Prairie / Peace River.) Working in Canada Report (Government of Canada)

7) "Physicists and astronomers," (Halifax and surrounding areas.) Working in Canada Report (Government of Canada)

8) "Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists." WAGEinfo / Alberta Wage and Salary Survey (Government of Alberta)

9) "School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education," (Athabasca / Grande Prairie / Peace River.) Working in Canada Report (Government of Canada)

10) "Senior government managers and officials," (Vancouver Island and Victoria.) Working in Canada Report (Government of Canada)

11) Chad Skelton and Lori Culbert, "More B.C. civil servants are earning $100,000-plus." Canwest News

12) "Senior government managers and officials." Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

13) "Supervisors, mining and quarrying," (Muskoka-Kawarthas-Peterborough Area.) Working in Canada Report (Government of Canada)

14) "Engineering managers." WAGEinfo - Alberta Wage and Salary Survey (Government of Alberta)

15) "Engineering managers." Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

16) "Drilling and service rig managers." OCCinfo - Alberta Occupational Profiles (Government of Alberta)

17) "Geologists, geochemists and geophysicists." National Occupational Classification (Human Resources and Skills Development Canada)