Canada’s capital, Ottawa, is home to a wide range of highest-paying jobs, as well as a center of political action and cultural diversity. It would be easy to ignore the diverse range of opportunities that go well beyond government and public service.
Ottawa’s job market is as varied as it is fulfilling, from the busy hospital hallways where doctors and surgeons fetch top salaries to the modern offices of high-tech corporations where software developers and IT specialists define the future.
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This article will help you find the highest-paying jobs for immigrants in Ottawa, regardless of whether you’re an experienced professional looking to change careers or a newbie hoping to make an impression.
Twelve Highest-paying Ottawa Jobs for Immigrants
General Dentist
Average salary: $157,700 – $254,900 per year
A General Dentist is a health care provider who offers preventive and cosmetic treatment for teeth. They focus on preventing oral diseases that affect teeth and gums and provide regular examinations and cleanings.
If a problem is diagnosed, like tooth decay or cavities, dentists perform procedures to repair the tooth. For more complex procedures, like root canals, they may refer the patient to a specialist. A General Dentist also performs some cosmetic procedures, such as tooth whitening and porcelain veneers.
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Box Truck Owner Operator
Average salary: $50,900 – $152,600 per year
A box truck owner-operator is a truck driver who uses a truck they own or rent to deliver and move goods. Although they are not semi-trailer trucks, box trucks, which are typically 4 to 7 meters long and have a cargo bay, can be used to hitch extra freight. Box truck owner-operators contract their equipment and labor to companies for short—or long-range shipments.
Construction
Average salary: $72,200 – $117,500 per year
Construction jobs encompass a wide range of opportunities in the industry, ranging from carpenters and electricians to project managers and civil engineers. Construction professionals participate in a wide range of projects.
There are residential projects, such as single-family homes, small lot developments, or apartment buildings; commercial projects, such as building strip malls, industrial facilities, or office buildings; and a range of infrastructure projects, such as public transit construction or building bridges.
Your duties and responsibilities depend on the type of project and your role in the construction industry.
Registered Nurse
Average salary: $66,600 – $105,800 per year
Registered Nurses work closely with doctors to provide patient care for illnesses and injuries. They are often the first medical professionals a patient sees when entering a healthcare facility.
As an RN, you can ask the patient questions and document their health history, but you are not allowed to diagnose patients; after the doctor or other supervising health care professional has determined what problem needs to be treated, you help administer treatment.
Your job duties may include administering medications, checking patient vital signs, and charting medical records. RNs also advise patients and families about at-home care for medical conditions and disease prevention.
OTR Truck Driver
Average salary: $70,200 – $92,100 per year
An over-the-road (OTR) truck driver transports cargo by truck, usually traveling for long distances. For this career, your responsibilities include picking up and delivering cargo safely and on time.
You must also comply with all state and federal regulations governing the roadways, which includes operating within the maximum number of hours you are allowed to work.
Qualifications for this job include a clean driving record, specific physical requirements, a commercial driver’s license (CDL), and a passing grade on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR) exam.
Licensed Vocational Nurses
Average salary: $56,000 – $75,300 per year
Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care, including taking vital signs, explaining procedures to patients, administering medications, and tracking patient progress.
LVNs also collect and send samples to medical labs for testing, complete patient paperwork, and collaborate with physicians to determine a patient care plan. They must report to a registered nurse (RN) or physician and are an integral part of a patient care team.
Recruiter
Average salary: $42,700 – $67,700 per year
The primary role of a recruiter is to match job seekers with job vacancies based on a candidate’s credentials and a company’s needs. A recruiter seeks out qualified candidates and then serves as a liaison between the candidate and the company to meet the demands of both parties regarding job duties and compensation.
Recruiters save companies time by weeding out unqualified or unfit job seekers and help job seekers by connecting them with opportunities.
Airport Security
Average salary: $33,100 – $51,400 per year
A job in airport security is to screen, monitor, and protect passengers who pass through an airport. The responsibilities of airport security include screening passengers and baggage as they enter the secure area of the airport.
Airport security may also patrol the airside and landside terminals, direct traffic on airport roads, clear employees and contractors working at the airport, and monitor video surveillance equipment on airport grounds.
Flight Attendant
Average salary: $36,100 – $50,900 per year
Flight Attendants do more than serve meals and drinks to passengers. Before the aircraft takes off, flight attendants attend a pre-flight briefing to receive all vital information about the flight.
They must check the food supply and emergency equipment to ensure sufficient amounts and everything is in place. They then greet passengers as they enter the aircraft, ensure luggage is stowed properly, and ensure passengers are in the correct seats.
During the flight, they instruct passengers on safety and serve refreshments. In an emergency, they play a significant role in evacuating the plane and maintaining passenger safety.
Yard Spotter
Average salary: $40,700 – $48,800 per year
At a cargo depot or a shipping port, a yard spotter, also known as a yard jockey, directs and engages in the loading and unloading of cargo while ensuring smooth and safe traffic flow for trucks or vessels.
Your responsibilities include ensuring that docks or cargo bays are free when new trucks come into the yard or container ships are offloaded and helping the yard manager and other personnel with basic maintenance around the storage lot or docks.
You have basic administrative and regulatory duties, monitoring and logging container and truck weights and tracking information.
Server
Average salary: $21,900 – $36,600 per year
A server is a person who works in a restaurant and serves customers. In addition to greeting guests and taking orders, servers are also in charge of delivering food and beverages and cleaning up after each meal. They have to be able to work under pressure and work lengthy shifts standing up.
Private Caregiver
Average salary: $29,000 – $36,600 per year
A private caregiver must help a patient remain independent while living at home or in an assisted living facility. Your duties also include relieving some of the client’s family’s responsibilities.
As a private caregiver, you may provide medical help as well as companionship for senior clients or people recovering from surgery or other traumas. Many private caregivers report to a nurse or senior home care specialist, and depending on the complexity of each patient’s needs, you may have more than one patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a good idea to move to Ottawa?
Ottawa has a stable job market, opening opportunities for tech, healthcare, and tourism industries. This capital city is Canada’s safest and greenest place, with the lowest crime rates.
From hiking and canoeing to skiing, Ottawa offers outdoor enthusiasts plenty of options. Finally, Ottawa is your place if you strongly desire art, heritage, and multiculturalism.
How much is the cost of living in Ottawa?
The average cost of living in Ottawa is approximately $2,500. This includes the average one-bedroom apartment rent, which is $1,774. Utilities for a month are around $130, groceries around $400, and transit around $150.
If you look for moving costs in Ottawa, you can expect around $465 for a local move and $1,000 for a long-distance move.
Is $85,000 a good salary in Ottawa?
The average annual salary in Ottawa is $64,995, approximately $3 an hour. Therefore, a $85,000 salary is considered above average and good enough for a single person.
A $85,000 shows that your take-home salary will be approximately $62,000, which helps you pay for housing, transportation, groceries, and entertainment.
What are the top neighborhoods in Ottawa?
Ottawa has sought-after neighborhoods offering vibrant culture, entertainment, and lush green spaces for outdoor r creation. These neighborhoods are suitable for raising families and enjoying a semi-suburban lifestyle. Ottawa’s top five best neighborhoods are the Glebe, Hintonburg, Westboro, Hunt Club, and Kanata.