Best High Paying Environmental Jobs in Canada

The environmental sector is flourishing day by day. It has become one of the fastest-growing industries in the world and Canada is no exception.

Despite the economic impact of COVID-19, ECO Canada’s new environmental employment outlook report forecasts moderate 8.1% growth from 2019 to 2029, representing more than 50,000 new jobs.

In 2020, Canada’s environmental workforce grew by 5%, adding nearly 35,000 net new jobs.

The environmental industry offers a wide range of jobs according to years of work experience and education.

This industry is home to some of the highest-paying jobs in Canada, leading to maximized incomes for working professionals. In this article, we have compiled a list of the 15 best high-paying environmental jobs in Canada.

15 Highest Paying Environmental Jobs in Canada

According to the forecast, there will be 173,000 net environmental job openings across the country by 2025, with 74,400 jobs created due to growth and 98,300 due to retirement.

Browse through the list of 15 best high-paying environmental jobs in Canada in order to pick the best fit for yourself, relevant to your income, expectations, and career interests.

1. Solar Energy Consultant
2. Hydraulic Engineer
3. Sustainability Engineer
4. Energy Manager
5. Water Project Manager
6. Environmental Engineer
7. Environmental Health Officer
8. Sustainability Manager
9. Environmental Manager
10. Environmental Planner
11. Climbing Arborist
12. Agriculture Specialist
13. Geologist
14. Environmental Scientist
15. Urban Planner

1. Solar Energy Consultant

Average Annual Salary: $70,000

A solar energy consultant typically works for solar panel companies to help them market their products. Solar energy consultants hold meetings with potential clients in order to discuss the details of solar panel implementation according to the size of the home and the requirements of the client.

A solar energy consultant needs to have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as renewable energy management or sustainability followed by a few years of work experience in similar roles.

2. Hydraulic Engineer

Average Annual Salary: $107,446

Hydraulic engineers are responsible for creating systems and products to help manage waterways efficiently. They are mainly responsible for designing spillways, water treatment systems, sewage systems, irrigation pathways, and canals. Apart from simply designing, hydraulic engineers work in collaboration with construction workers in order to implement these systems in the best possible way.

In order to make a career as a hydraulic engineer, one should earn a bachelor’s degree in water resource management or hydraulic engineering.

3. Sustainability Engineer

Average Annual Salary: $85,137

A sustainability engineer is responsible for developing sustainable and efficient waste management and energy systems for housing facilities and businesses. Generally, sustainability engineers work closely with a team of other sustainability engineers in order to create and test innovative prototypes of sustainable systems.

In order to qualify for a role as a sustainability engineer, you should earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering.

4. Energy Manager

Average Annual Salary: $93,057

Energy managers are responsible for ensuring that buildings and other forms of infrastructure sustain energy resources in order to reduce the cost of amenities such as water, gas, and electricity. Supervising construction teams in order to increase the efficiency of energy systems is among the main duties of an energy manager.

In order to work as an energy manager, you should earn a bachelor’s degree in either environmental engineering or energy and power engineering along with a few years of work experience in similar roles.

5. Water Project Manager

Average Annual Salary: $102.711

A water project manager is mainly responsible for supervising a team of professionals and construction workers in developing man-made waterways in order to divert natural water pathways to residential, and industrial areas for utilization. They are responsible for making sure that their construction plan is in line with the area’s environmental laws.

Water project managers usually hold a bachelor’s degree in fields such as industrial or civil engineering along with a master’s degree in water resource engineering.

6. Environmental Engineer

Average Annual Salary: $64,004

Environmental engineers usually work for government agencies, engineering companies, and nonprofit organizations in order to uncover environmental problems along with suggesting possible solutions for those problems. They work in close collaboration with other environmental professionals in order to come up with effective waste management and recycling processes to promote sustainability.

For working as an environmental engineer one should obtain a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering. Here is a Environmental Engineer job if you are looking for a job in this field.

7. Environmental Health Officer

Average Annual Salary: $77,650

An environmental health officer has a wide range of duties ranging from environmental emergency response to ensuring industrial safety protocols. For instance, environmental health officers are mainly responsible for reviewing environmental factors that are likely to affect the health and safety of workers in that specific area.

Furthermore, they are also responsible for researching and studying the causes of plant, animal, or human-borne diseases in order to diminish their negative effects on the environment. To become an environmental health officer an individual should earn a bachelor’s degree in a discipline such as environmental sciences, public health, or biology.

8. Sustainability Manager

Average Annual Salary: $81,232

Sustainability managers usually work in close collaboration with construction companies in order to shortlist the most sustainable and environment-friendly construction materials and practices throughout the construction projects. They also help construction companies to lock deals with wholesalers that supply sustainable construction materials such as solar panels, reclaimed metal or wood, or composite windows.

In order to become a sustainability manager, one should earn a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as environmental science or sustainability.

9. Environmental Manager

Average Annual Salary: $79,354

An environmental manager is responsible for supervising environmental health operations carried out by government agencies. They are also responsible for reviewing environmental laws of certain areas along with enforcing them in order to make sure that every company adheres to those laws.

Typically, environmental managers work as a team of specialists responsible for collecting air, soil, and water samples of an area to determine the pollution levels in order to come up with relevant solutions. In order to qualify as an environmental manager, one should have a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences along with a few years of work experience in any environmental role.

10. Environmental Planner

Average Annual Salary: $84,358

Typically, environmental planners work for government agencies in order to ensure that the construction carried out on certain lands won’t adversely affect the environment. Their major duty is to review and study blueprints and construction plans in detail, then decide on alternate plans that will minimize environmental hazards.

In order to make a career as an environmental planner one should first obtain a bachelor’s degree in either ecology, biology, or environmental science.

11. Climbing Arborist

Average Annual Salary: $87,094

Climbing arborists make use of differentiated climbing equipment and tools in order to maintain and look after giant trees. They are generally responsible for shedding dead branches, collecting review samples, and spraying pest-infected branches to maintain the overall appearance and health of a tree.

One major prerequisite for becoming a climbing arborist is to possess insane climbing skills along with the ability to use sharp tools. Furthermore, for becoming a climbing arborist, an individual should have a bachelor’s degree in arboriculture along with obtaining a license and some on-site working experience.

12. Agriculture Specialist

Average Annual Salary: $76,416

An agriculture specialist is mainly responsible for facilitating farmers and other agricultural professionals regarding ways that will help them make the most out of their lands. Agriculture specialists usually carry out their duties by conducting a series of experiments on soil and studying the current agricultural processes used by the farmers.

Apart from this, agriculture specialists are also responsible for aiding the farmers in pest and insect control operations in order to maximize the agricultural yield. In case you are considering making a career as an agriculture specialist you need to complete a bachelor’s degree in either plant pathology, entomology, or agricultural science.

13. Geologist

Average Annual Salary: $96,464

Geologists mainly study rock formation in detail for uncovering the history and gaining fruitful insights regarding the environmental and pollution factors of a certain piece of land. They are also responsible for conducting experiments to determine the probability of certain land disasters in an area such as landslides, earthquakes, floods, or volcanic eruptions.

Geologists get a chance to work in several settings such as educational and research institutions, the mining industry, construction agencies, and government companies. In order to become a geologist, individuals need to have a bachelor’s degree in either geology or environmental sciences.

14. Environmental Scientist

Average Annual Salary: $59,194

Typically, an environmental scientist works for government bodies, research institutions, and educational establishments for determining future environmental issues for a certain piece of land. Carrying out field experiments along with collecting soil and water samples for quality testing is also a part of an environmental scientist’s duties.

Environmental scientists generally hold a bachelor’s degree in either biology or environmental sciences. However, certain employers do prefer a master’s degree for multiple senior roles in this specific job. If you are looking for a job in this field, here is an Environmental Scientist job in Calgary.

15. Urban Planner

Average Annual Salary: $117,320

Overlooking construction operations along with planning and designing in order to utilize the land in the best possible way is among the most important duties of an urban planner. Urban planners are also responsible for carrying out extensive land surveys in order to determine future environmental conditions and potential hazards that the construction could face.

In order to make a career in urban planning, an individual should hold a master’s degree in urban planning along with some years of professional work experience.

Average Salary in Environmental Sector in Canada

Salary Distribution for Environmental Jobs in Canada

A person working in the environmental sector in Canada on average makes $127,000 per year. The salary range starts from roughly $56,900 per year to $205,000 per year depending on years of experience, expertise, and educational qualifications.

Salary Comparison by Years of Work Experience

When it comes to salaries in the environmental sector in Canada, the salary range majorly depends on the years of experience an individual has. As obvious as it is, the more experience the higher the salary is.

Broadly speaking, working professionals who have 2-5 years of more experience earn 32% more as compared to freshers or people who are just starting out. In the environmental sector in Canada, the type of job and location majorly impacts the salary range of an individual.

In general, once you complete the 10 years mark in the environmental sector in Canada, your average salary will take jump by 21%, for those completing the 15 years mark the salary jumps by 14%.

Comparison of Salaries Based on Education

As the popular belief goes, the more the education is the higher the salary is. Employees who have earned a certificate or diploma in certain disciplines are likely to make 17% more money as compared to their counterparts who have studied till only high school level.

Individuals who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields make 29% more income as compared to those having only a certificate or diploma. Furthermore, working professionals having a master’s degree enjoy 29% more salary as compared to individuals holding a bachelor’s degree.

Lastly, working professionals holding a Ph.D. make 23% more money as compared to master’s degree holders.

Conclusion

Being well aware of the salary range offered by various jobs in the environmental sector in Canada is a great way to start off a career that will flourish throughout the years. Now that you are well aware of the high-paying environmental jobs in Canada, start your dream job search right away. Check out our job listing to find work in Canada.

The Primus Workforce team is proudly built on hands-on industry knowledge and experience.