Student ReferralStudent Login
Apply TodayRequest Info
Apply TodayRequest Info

Blog / Fast Track to Success: Top 10 High-Paying Jobs with Short Training in Canada (2025)

Sundance Blog

Fast Track to Success: Top 10 High-Paying Jobs with Short Training in Canada (2025)

Confident professional in a modern office environment, representing success in a high-paying career.

Explore our Diploma Programs

Fields of Study:
  • Business, Hospitality, and Legal
  • Health and Human Services
  • Technology
Learn more
Student aid eligible
14 April 2025  |  Author: Alex Bessant  
|  Read Time:

In 2025, many high-paying jobs in Canada don’t require a 4-year university degree –they require the right diploma and training. You could access many in-demand, stable, high-paying careers in fields like healthcare, business, legal, digital marketing, IT, or supply chain management by completing a short, focused diploma program. Often completed in under a year, these programs open doors to better earning potential, job security, and opportunities for growth.

Listen to: Fast Track to Success: Top 10 High-Paying Jobs with Short Training in Canada (2025)

Why Choose a High-Paying Career Without a Degree?

There was a time when earning a university degree was seen as the only path towards a high-paying career. But in 2025, that’s no longer the case. With rising tuition costs, longer timelines, and uncertain job prospects, traditional degrees don’t offer the same return on investment they once did – especially when compared to other post-secondary options that can lead to high-paying roles. 

Choosing a high-paying career without a degree can positively impact your life in many ways. Not only for obvious reasons like saving time or money, but for building a future with more stability, more opportunity, and less financial stress. 

For many people, earning a reliable income in a field they enjoy doesn’t just improve their bank account, but also their mental health, confidence, and overall quality of life. 

Whether you’re returning to the workforce after a break, changing careers, or just looking for a more practical path forward, a high-paying role can give you the freedom to support your family, plan for the future, and feel proud of the work you do, without spending years in university to get there.

Top 10 High-Paying Jobs in Canada Without a Degree

Infographic titled 'Top 10 High-Paying Jobs in Canada Without a Degree' listing careers including: mobile and web developer, network systems manager, supply chain management professional, personal support worker, professional legal assistant, accounting, tax, and payroll specialist, medical office administrator, pharmacy assistant, addictions and community health professional, and digital marketing and social media manager.

In 2025, the best career opportunities in Canada are found in in-demand fields like healthcare, business, legal, digital marketing, IT, and supply chain management. Many Canadians have started these careers without a degree, through roles like medical office administrator, legal assistant, digital marketing manager, and supply chain management professional, to name a few. 

Here are the top 10 high-paying jobs in Canada (no degree needed):

Mobile and Web Developer

Canada’s tech sector is growing rapidly—and there’s no sign of it slowing down anytime soon. Many tech careers in Canada are high-paying and in high demand, particularly mobile and web development jobs. Here’s a quick look at what to expect from this career: 

What are Mobile and Web Developers? 

As a mobile app developer or web developer, you’ll design, build, and maintain websites and mobile apps with a focus on user-friendly interfaces. 

What is the Salary Range? 

Depending on your experience and specialized skills in areas like IOS or Android development, and on where you live, you could earn as much as $79,965.  

How Long is Training? 

With a Mobile & Web Development Diploma, you’ll learn everything from HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, iOS/Android development, to C# programming in as little as 60 weeks.  

By improving a website’s functionality or creating a more visually appealing app, it’s a high-paying career without a degree where your work directly impacts how users interact with technology every day. 

Network Systems Manager

These days, digital security is becoming increasingly important. With this growing demand, network management careers are another great path to take in tech. Here’s a quick look at what to expect from this career: 

What’s a Network Systems Manager?  

A network systems manager oversees the planning, set up, and maintenance of computer networks. As technology becomes increasingly essential in many workplaces, trained network administrators and managers are in high demand to monitor security threats, maintain critical infrastructure, and minimize network downtime that could impact company operations. 

What is the Salary Range?  

The salary range for these IT jobs in Canada is lucrative, reaching as high as $80,870, depending on your experience, skills, and location.  

How Long is Training? 

A diploma in Network Systems Management will teach you everything you need to know about network configuration, cybersecurity, and systems administration in 48 weeks.  

You can become a network systems manager in as little as 10 months through a specialized diploma program, saving you time and giving you access to a high earning potential quickly.

Supply Chain Management Professional

Supply chain jobs offer high earning potential without the need for a university degree if you’re organized and good at coordinating details as well as teams. From tracking shipments to managing supplier relationships, logistics careers in Canada are crucial for keeping products moving, and businesses running, across the country. 

What’s a Supply Chain Management Professional? 

A supply chain professional manages the flow of goods, information, and finances involved in producing and delivering products from suppliers to consumers.   

What is the Salary Range? 

Logistics careers in Canada offer opportunities to earn a high salary, with the salary reaching as high as $87,546, depending on your skills, experience, and location. 

How Long is Training? 

You can learn supply chain fundamentals, inventory management, procurement, logistics systems, and global transportation and trade with a Supply Chain Management Professional diploma program in 60 weeks.  

As long as there’s a need to keep goods moving, trained supply chain professionals have a role that offers strong job security and a solid earning potential. 

Personal Support Worker (PSW)

You don’t need a degree to build a meaningful career in healthcare. Personal support worker (PSW) roles are a direct way to help people with their day-to-day needs while working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, or private residences. Here’s what to expect: 

What’s a Personal Support Worker? 

A personal support worker cares for and supports seniors, people with disabilities, and others requiring specialized care after sickness or injuries by assisting with personal hygiene, mobility needs, nutrition, and medications.  

What is the Salary Range? 

The salary range for PSW jobs in Canada reaches as high as $45,385.   

How Long is Training? 

You can become a trusted healthcare professional to those in need in just 43 weeks through a Personal Support Worker diploma program.  

Among entry-level healthcare careers, being a personal support worker stands out for its direct impact on people’s lives – helping with care needs while championing the dignity, independence, and well-being every day. With a solid earning potential, short training time, and no university degree required, it’s one of the most accessible and meaningful high-paying jobs in healthcare.

Becoming a legal assistant is a direct way to enter the legal field without needing a university degree. As one of the more accessible law careers in Canada, it allows you to work in professional legal settings while enjoying solid earning potential and long-term job stability. Here’s what to expect from this career: 

Professional legal assistants support lawyers across various legal fields – like family law, real estate, civil litigation, or corporate law – by drafting, conducting research, managing court filings, and using legal software. 

What is the Salary Range?  

The salary range for legal assistant jobs can reach as high as $72,289 per year, based on your location, skills, and experience. 

How Long is Training? 

In 46 weeks, you can start working at a law firm by completing a Professional Legal Assistant diploma program.  

As a professional legal assistant, you’re training in documentation and case coordination will make you an integral part of any legal team – and with high salaries and no degree required, it’s a career you can enter quickly without years of law school. 

Accounting, Tax, and Payroll Specialist

Many roles in the finance sector are high-paying and recession-proof. So if you’re detail-oriented and enjoy working with numbers, a role as an accounting, tax, and payroll specialist could be a smart way to break into this field without needing a university degree.

What’s an Accounting, Tax, and Payroll Specialist?

An accounting, tax, and payroll specialist is the numbers expert for managing financial records, helping to prepare taxes, and processing payroll on time so employees are paid properly.

What is the Salary Range?

The salary range for accounting jobs in Canada specializing in taxes and payroll is dependent on your skills, experience, and location, and can reach as high as $57,019 per year.

How Long is Training?

While some finance careers need a degree, you can start crunching numbers with a diploma in Accounting, Tax, and Payroll in 43 weeks.

This is a stable, well-paying career that doesn’t require a four-year investment in university. Accounting, tax, and payroll roles offers security and the flexibility to choose your own work environment – a corporate office, a small business, or even your own home. It’s a career path that opens doors for long-term success in a field that’s always in demand.

Medical Office Administrator

Due to an aging population and increased pressure on the Canadian healthcare sector, the role of a medical office administrator is not only a high-paying role – it’s in high demand, too. Here’s a quick look at what to expect from this career:

What’s a Medical Office Administrator?

Medical office administrators have many roles within healthcare facilities. Their main responsibilities include helping to manage the day-to-day operations of clinics, hospitals, and healthcare facilities by scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, handling billing, and keeping communication smooth between staff and patients.

What is the Salary Range?

The salary range for a medical office administrator can reach as high as $52,763 – which can vary based on experience and type of healthcare facility, as well as your skills, and location.  

How Long is Training?

You can complete a Medical Office Assistant diploma in 43 weeks, with hands-on training in medical terminology, office procedures, and healthcare software systems.  

For those looking to join a respected field without spending years in school, becoming a medical office administrator is a practical and rewarding option. It’s a role that offers long-term security, high salaries, and the chance to make a real impact of the lives of others. 

Pharmacy Assistant

Pharmacy assistants are another role in high demand across the growing healthcare sector. It’s also another role that you can train for quickly, without a university degree. With career-focused training from a fast-tracked diploma program, you can be ready to work in this stable, high-paying role supporting pharmacists in less than a year.

Here’s a quick look at what to expect from this career:

What’s a Pharmacy Assistant?

Pharmacy assistants support pharmacists by organizing inventory, preparing prescriptions, and sometimes helping customers with their needs.

What is the Salary Range?

In Canada, pharmacy assistants earn as much as $56,350 per year, depending on skills, experience and location.

How Long is Training?

You can complete your training and start assisting with pharmacy jobs in just 43 weeks through a Pharmacy Assistant diploma program.

With this role, you can make sure patients get the medications and support they need – making it another high-paying healthcare career that you don’t need a degree to start.

Addictions and Community Health Professional

Supporting mental health and addiction recovery is more important than ever, making community health jobs a meaningful and growing part of social services careers in Canada. One career path that stands out is an addictions and community health Professional. Here’s a quick look at what to expect from this role:

What’s an Addictions and Community Health Professional?

These professionals support individuals and families dealing with addiction, mental health challenges, and housing or community outreach needs – working in settings like shelters, clinics, and outreach programs. 

What is the Salary Range?

Depending on experience, the type of organization, and your skills and location, the salary could reach as high as $63,500.

How Long is Training?

You can start training in substance abuse counselling, recovery and rehabilitation support, and crisis intervention with an Addictions and Community Health Professional diploma program in 44 weeks.

For a high-paying career, it offers the chance to make a real difference – helping people navigate challenges, access care, and services they need.

Digital Marketing and Social Media Manager

With more businesses using online platforms to promote and market their brands, the demand for skilled digital marketing and social media managers continues to grow. This is another high paying role that doesn’t require a university degree. You just need practical, career-focused training to gain the skills, knowledge, and experience that will see you excel.

What’s a Digital Marketing and Social Media Manager?

A digital marketing and social media manager plans and manages online marketing campaigns, creates engaging social media content, and analyzes performance to help brands grow their online presence and reach.  

What is the Salary Range?

Salaries range as high as $66,650, depending on your skills, experience, specialization, and company size.  

How Long is Training?

You can complete a Digital Marketing and Social Media Management diploma in just 43 weeks, gaining hands-on experience in areas like content creation, SEO, analytics, and campaign strategy.  

If you’re looking for a high-paying, future-focused field without spending years at university, this career is a smart choice. As a digital marketing and social media manager, you’ll enter a career that’s creative yet analytical to help businesses connect with audiences in a meaningful way. 

How to Get Started in a High-Paying Career Without a Degree

Diverse group of students collaborating on diploma coursework for in-demand Canadian careers.

In 2025, you don’t need a degree to land high-paying jobs in Canada – just the right training and support. Below, you’ll find career start tips and guidance on how to prepare for a no-degree career – from enrolling in a diploma program to gaining hands-on experience in growing, in-demand fields like healthcare and IT.

Enroll in a Diploma Program at Sundance for Quick Career Entry

A high-paying career without a degree is possible through career-focused diploma programs in Canada. Sundance College programs are designed to match current market needs and can often be completed in under a year. If you’re unsure which program is right for you, use a Career Quiz to find your best match based on your strengths and interests.

Get Certified in Growing Fields Like IT and Healthcare

If you’re aiming for a high-paying job without a degree, certain industries like IT, healthcare, and supply chain management, offer high earning potential and career growth. Some diploma programs may lead to certifications, a valuable asset. 

Sundance College has diploma programs designed to support students who want to pursue these certifications by offering relevant training, exam preparation, and even advanced standing with industry associations. 

In the logistics field, our accredited Supply Chain Management Professional diploma program gives you advanced standing towards the SCMP™ designation from Supply Chain Canada. 

In tech, our Network Systems Manager program includes training for certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, CCNA, and Microsoft Azure – all of which are recognized by employers throughout the world and can improve your job prospects. In fact, Sundance College provides students with financial support to obtain industry certifications. 

Our Addictions and Community Health Professional diploma is approved by the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF), making it easier to pursue a certification. 

Industry certifications enhance your resume, demonstrate your expertise to employers, and help you stand out in a competitive job market.

Why Choose Sundance College for Your Career Training?

Sundance College offers career-focused diploma programs designed to align with industry needs and prepare you for in-demand careers. Our hands-on training, flexible learning options, and personalized support help you build relevant skills that employers value. 

Every program includes a practicum placement, giving you real-life experience to apply to the workplace once you graduate. To see how our programs can support your career goals, learn more about us and contact one of our admissions advisors.

Next Steps – Apply Now for a High-Paying Career Without a Degree

Why wait years to start the career you want? 

Explore Sundance College’s career-focused diploma programs and go for fast, practical, hands-on job training in Canada. Apply now to start working toward a high-paying career – no degree required!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What are the best-paying jobs in Canada that can be trained for in under a year?  

Luckily, in 2025, many high-paying jobs in Canada don’t require a degree and instead can land one through diploma programs in under a year. Here are some roles that offer strong salaries and fast employment in Canada:

  • Mobile and web developer 
  • Network systems manager  
  • Supply chain management professional  
  • Personal support worker (PSW) 
  • Professional legal assistant  
  • Accounting, tax, and payroll specialist    
  • Medical office administrator    
  • Pharmacy assistant    
  • Addictions and community health professional    
  • Digital marketing and social media manager  

All these high-paying no degree jobs are ideal for anyone who wants a career with good long-term potential.  

  • Do I need a diploma to get hired in Canada for these quick training jobs?  

In most cases, yes – a diploma requirement in Canada is common for employers. Why? Because employers want to see that you’ve completed relevant training. It shows that you have job-ready skills and the real-world experience to excel in your new role from day one.  

  • How can I get Canadian work experience in these fast-track careers?  

The best way to gain Canadian work experience is through practicums included in diploma programs. These opportunities allow you to build connections and gain hands-on experience, which are key factors when trying to land fast employment in Canada.  

  • What industries hire the most people with quick training programs?  

These are the top industries that hire diploma-trained professionals: 

  • Healthcare 
  • Technology 
  • Business 
  • Legal services 
  • Supply chain management 
  • Digital marketing 

There are plenty of opportunities within these sectors, with many known for hiring candidates from fast-tracked diploma programs.  

  • What’s the fastest way to get a high-paying job in Canada with less than a year of training?  

The quickest path is to enroll in a career-focused diploma program aligned with growing industries. Think high-demand fields like healthcare, supply chain, or tech, to name a few. These programs are meant for fast employment, where you can land a high-paying job without a degree. 

  • Can newcomers get high-paying jobs in Canada with quick training programs?  

Yes! Many high-paying jobs for newcomers in Canada are accessible through diploma programs that can be completed in under a year. It’s a great post-secondary option for newcomers who want to enter the workforce quickly and confidently without needing a university degree.

Subscribe for more career advice

Share on:

CONNECT WITH US

Fill out form to get all your answers
Please contact me with more information relating to the college and program(s). I understand I may cancel my consent at anytime.

Connect With Us

Fill out form to get all your questions answered
Please contact me with more information relating to the college and program(s). I understand I may cancel my consent at anytime.