Top High Paying Government Jobs in Canada for 2026: Average Salaries & Requirements
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The top high-paying jobs in Canada for 2026 include Medical Officer, policy advisor, among others, that not only provide a competitive salary but also offer great benefits and job stability. Scroll through to explore more such jobs & requirements.
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Table of Contents
- List of Top High-Paying Government Jobs in Canada for 2026 and Salary
- Top 5 In-Demand Government Job Sectors in Canada for 2026
- Eligibility Criteria for High Paying Government Jobs in Canada
- Where to Apply for Government Jobs in Canada in 2026?
- Benefits of Government Employees in Canada
- Tips to Increase Your Chances of Selection for High Paying Government Jobs in Canada
- Explore Your Work Opportunities and Prospects With GetGIS
Building a career in the Canadian public sector is a dream for many. The high-paying government jobs in Canada for 2026 offer competitive compensation, with top-tier roles offering high-salaried jobs in Canada. Positions like Executive (EX) and Deputy Minister (DM) offer salaries that now range from about CAD 137,500 up to CAD 420,600, depending on the level, and not to forget the additional performance bonus benefits of up to 39%.
Also, positions such as medical officers, senior civil engineers, judges, etc., are among the top paying government jobs that provide not only competitive compensation but also offer comprehensive benefits and job stability. In this article, we will explore the top high paying government jobs in Canada by province, along with requirements and details on how to apply for government jobs in Canada.
List of Top High-Paying Government Jobs in Canada for 2026 and Salary
Government jobs in Canada are known for competitive salaries, pension benefits, job security, and work-life balance. With the explanation of public services and investments specifically in sectors like healthcare, IT, and infrastructure, the 2026-27 period is expected to witness strong demand across several high-paying govt roles in Canada.
The top high-paying Government Jobs in Canada, along with average salaries and eligibility requirements, are as follows:
|
Job Title |
Sector |
Average Annual Salary (CAD) |
Education & Eligibility (incl. Exams) |
Job Locations |
|
Medical Officer |
Health Canada |
150,000 - 250,000 |
Throughout Canada |
|
|
Policy Advisor (Senior) |
Public Administration |
100,000 - 140,000 (EC-05/06) |
Master’s in Public Policy/Economics + Federal screening |
Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver |
|
Engineering Project Manager |
Infrastructure/Transport |
110,000 - 140,000 |
P.Eng + Bachelor’s/Master’s Engineering (PMP optional) |
Toronto, Calgary, Montreal |
|
IT Project Manager / Cybersecurity Lead |
Innovation/Defense |
105,000 - 135,000 |
CS/IT Degree + CISSP/CISM |
Ottawa, Halifax, Winnipeg |
|
Crown Prosecutor / Legal Counsel |
Department of Justice |
120,000 - 180,000 |
Law Degree + Provincial Bar exams |
Throughout Canada |
|
Economist / Financial Analyst |
Finance Canada |
90,000 - 130,000 |
Master’s Economics/Finance + Assessments i |
Ottawa, Toronto |
|
Federal Auditor |
Auditor General |
85,000 - 125,000 |
CPA (CPA Exams) + Accounting Bachelor’s |
Ottawa, Edmonton, Vancouver |
|
University Professor (Public Institutions) |
Education |
100,000 - 160,000 |
PhD + Research/Teaching Experience |
Public Universities Canada-wide |
|
Air Traffic Controller (NAV CANADA) |
Transportation |
100,000 - 130,000 |
Toronto, Vancouver Airports |
|
|
RCMP Officer (Senior/Detective) |
Public Safety |
90,000 - 120,000 |
Throughout Canada |
|
|
Environmental Scientist / Officer |
Environment Canada |
85,000 - 115,000 |
Env. Science Degree + Field Experience |
BC, Alberta, Ontario |
|
Foreign Service Officer / Diplomat |
Global Affairs Canada |
90,000 - 125,000 |
Degree + FSOT-like exams/Languages |
Ottawa/International |
|
Immigration Officer / Case Analyst |
IRCC |
80,000 - 110,000 |
Law/Social Sciences + Specialized exams |
Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver |
Top 5 In-Demand Government Job Sectors in Canada for 2026
While the top in demand jobs in Canada vary based on provinces, on the whole, the current list of sectors offering high demand jobs and best salaries in Canada in 2026 includes:
|
Sector |
Details |
|
Healthcare & Public Health |
Considering the ageing population and system expansion, demand for roles like doctors, epidemiologists, and health policy analysts is increasing |
|
Technology and Cybersecurity |
As the Canada federal budget 2024 states, they are expanding cybersecurity funding (proposed at CAD 917.4 million) over the next 5 years, roles like cybersecurity experts, cloud engineers, and IT managers are increasingly in demand in government and private entities |
|
Finance & Economics |
Professionals in finance and economic-related roles play a crucial role in federal budget planning, tax reforms, and audits, and hence the roles of Financial Examiners, Economists, and Tax analysts are quite in demand |
|
Law |
Roles like Crown Attorney, Paralegal,s and legal advisors are some of the high-paying, in-demand roles in Canada |
|
Engineering and Infrastructure |
With Canada’s increasing emphasis on green building and public transit projects, roles like civil engineers, urban planners and project directors are in high demand in Canada |
Eligibility Criteria for High Paying Government Jobs in Canada
Like every other employment opportunities in Canada, government jobs also have a few eligibility requirements to be qualified as part of the recruitment process. However, the general eligibility criteria for high paying government jobs in Canada include:
- Applicant must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident (PR) (for most of the roles)
- Must have a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree (as specified for the job role)
- Having proficiency in English or French is mandatory; however, having Bilingual proficiency is preferable
- Security clearance is required for most federal jobs, especially in defence, IT, and immigration
- Professional licensing would be required for professionals like doctors, lawyers, auditors, etc.
Also Read: Job Requirements in Canada
Where to Apply for Government Jobs in Canada in 2026?
Now that you have the list of requirements for government jobs in Canada, the next concern arises about where to find these job opportunities or postings. Here are a few portals where you can find and apply for high-salaried government jobs in Canada:
- Government of Canada for Central or federal job postings
- Provincial Job Boards like Ontario.ca for regional-level job listings
- NAV Canada Careers for Aviation and air traffic control jobs
- Global Affairs Canada for foreign service recruitment
- LinkedIn, Indeed, etc for public sector filtered opportunities
Benefits of Government Employees in Canada
Canadian federal government employees receive numerous comprehensive benefits that enhance job security and work-life balance. Here are some of the benefits for government employees in Canada:
Health and Dental Coverage: Health and dental plans, along with vision care and prescription drugs, are covered at no or low cost.
Pension and Retirement: A definite pension is allotted to all Canadian federal government employees under the Public Service Pension Plan. Also, an increase in pension may be announced later in 2026.
Paid Leave: 4+ weeks vacation, 10 sick leaves, family-related leave, and parental leave top-ups.
Other Perks include:
- Life/disability insurance
- Flexible spending accounts (CAD 200+ credits annually)
- Professional development/training
- Telework options and hybrid work
- Employee assistance programs
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Selection for High Paying Government Jobs in Canada
For aspirants aiming to increase their chances of securing high-paying government jobs in Canada, here are a few crucial tips to secure your aspiring job among the fierce competition:
- Firstly, tailor your resume to the Government of Canada’s format
- Read through the job description and emphasize your key competencies, Communication, Analytical Thinking, Leadership skills, etc
- Earn bilingual certification, like Second Language Evaluation (SLE) for a competitive edge.e
- Get your security clearance ahead of time of applying fora defence or intelligence job.s
- Ensure to apply for “Pools” to be eligible for opportunities across multiple departments.
Explore Your Work Opportunities and Prospects With GetGIS
The high paying government jobs in Canada not only offer long-term career growth opportunities but also provide good work-life balance and financial stability. So whether you are a healthcare professional, an engineer, a lawyer, or an economist, 2026 presents an amazing opportunity across the public sector.
Are you in a fix about eligibility, resume formatting, or getting the right job match? Get personalised career guidance and application support with GetGIS Canada PR assistance to secure your visa and job in Canada.
Also Read
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Frequently Asked Questions
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