Canada's education system is administered province by province with no federal department of education. Most provinces offer both English and French-language schools. The curriculum varies by province but consistently produces some of the world's highest PISA scores. Public, Catholic, and private school sectors operate in parallel. Quebec operates a distinct college (CEGEP) system before university.
Roles and salaries
Teacher salaries in Canada range from around C$50,000 for new graduates to C$90,000–C$100,000 at the top of most provincial pay scales. Alberta and British Columbia tend to offer the highest pay. Salaries are negotiated through provincial teachers' unions and typically increase incrementally over 10–12 years. Benefits and pension schemes are strong across the public sector.
Working here — what to know
Teaching in Canadian public schools requires provincial certification, and each province has its own registration authority and process. International teachers typically arrive on a Temporary Foreign Worker Permit or through Express Entry for permanent residency. British-trained teachers often find streamlined pathways through reciprocity agreements. Processing times vary from weeks to several months by province.
