How to Find Teaching Jobs in Canada: Guide for International Educators in 2026

In 2025, Canada launched an Education Occupations category under Express Entry. This category-based selection process helps prioritize certain education professionals for permanent residence invitations, reflecting the growing demand for teaching jobs in Canada. Teaching jobs require provincial certification, a Bachelor’s degree, and offer salaries ranging from CAD $45,000 to more than $110,000, depending on experience and location.

That said, teaching in Canada is a regulated profession. To work as a teacher, you typically need provincial certification, a recognized education degree, and language proficiency in English and/or French. The standard pathway to becoming a certified teacher in Canada typically takes five to six years.

In this guide, we’ll explain how teaching jobs in Canada work, including provincial certification requirements, salary expectations, provincial and territorial demand, and immigration options for teachers. Whether you’re an experienced international teacher, a recent education graduate, or a newcomer exploring a career change, this guide will help you understand your options.

Key Takeaways

• Teaching jobs in Canada usually require provincial or territorial certification.
• Teacher salaries in Canada often range from approximately CAD $45,000 to more than $110,000 per year depending on experience and location.
• Demand for teachers varies significantly by province and by specialization.
• Canada’s Express Entry system now includes Education Occupations as a category-based selection stream.

Understanding Teaching in Canada

Canada’s education system is managed primarily at the provincial and territorial level. This means that each province and territory sets its own teaching requirements, curriculum standards, and certification processes.

For newcomers, this can feel complicated at first. But the overall structure is fairly similar across the country.

Teaching jobs are an extremely important profession in Canada – teachers have a major role in shaping the minds and critical thinking skills of the next generation. Yet almost every province in Canada is facing ongoing teacher shortages due to population growth, retirements, and increasing student needs. Rural and northern communities often experience the strongest demand.

Canadian Education System Structure

In Canada, children typically begin kindergarten between ages four and five. Students then complete primary and secondary education through grades one to 12. Depending on the province, students may transition from elementary to secondary school between grades six and eight. This system is commonly referred to as “K-12” education.

The Canadian school year usually begins in late August or early September and continues until late June. Canada offers both English-language and French-language education systems. High demand for teachers exists particularly in French immersion, special education, and STEM subjects across Canada.

While provincial governments establish curriculum and education policy, local school boards are responsible for administration, staffing, and student enrolment.

Essential Teaching Qualifications

Most teaching jobs in Canada require:

• A bachelor’s degree in Education
• Provincial or territorial teaching certification
• English and/or French language proficiency

If you were trained as a teacher internationally, you may need to obtain education credentials assessments, criminal record checks, references, and more. Some provinces may require additional coursework or supervised classroom experience before granting full certification. As teachers work directly with children, a criminal record check is mandatory for all teaching jobs in Canada.

If you want to get a teaching job at a secondary school in Canada, it’s often helpful to have teachable subjects in areas like math, science, English or French, social studies, or special education. Because education is regulated provincially, the exact requirements vary depending on where you intend to teach.

Provincial Teaching Requirements and Opportunities

Now that you understand the basics of teaching qualifications in Canada, let’s dive into the differences between Canadian provinces. Each province in Canada has its own teacher regulatory body that assesses the qualifications of foreign teachers to determine if they meet local standards for certification.

Canada is a huge country and the landscape for teachers can vary significantly between regions. Salaries and job opportunities depend on where you want to live and work.

British Columbia

British Columbia continues to experience high demand for teachers in several regions, especially outside Vancouver. The province has actively recruited internationally trained educators in recent years, including teachers from the United States and other countries, with several education occupations targeted by the BC PNP.

In order to teach in BC, teachers must have the proper certification. There are a few different ways to get this certification, but typically this requires a Bachelor’s Degree or other postsecondary training in education.

Quebec

Quebec has experienced significant demand for teachers in recent years. This means the province has tons of job opportunities for teachers… but mostly only those who speak French. As a French-speaking province, French-language ability is extremely important for most public-school teaching jobs in Quebec, though some English-language school boards also hire international educators.

Certification to teach in Quebec typically requires postsecondary training in education. But – sometimes the education requirement can be met through the completion of a relatively short Master’s Degree or a Specialized Graduate Studies Diploma. Full details on Quebec teacher certification are available on the Quebec government website.

It’s worth noting that Quebec’s education system differs slightly from the rest of Canada. Other Canadian provinces finish secondary school, or “high school,” at Grade 12, leading directly into university. In Quebec, secondary school ends a year earlier, leading into a two-year or three-year transitional school called CEGEP (Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel). After CEGEP, some Quebec students continue on to university, while others head directly into the workforce.

Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories offers a unique opportunity for teachers up for the northern lifestyle. Northern Canada is more remote and rugged than the rest of the country. As such, there is a shortage of educators, particularly in rural communities.

Living in the north means longer, harsher winters, less access to resources, and more expensive goods and services. However, due to the high cost of living, teachers working in the north are paid a “northern allowance,” to offset increased costs. This is in addition to the regular salary, which can often exceed $100,000 per year.

Northern and remote communities often offer strong compensation packages for teachers willing to relocate. But – be sure you’re ready for the northern lifestyle. Teaching jobs in Canada’s northern communities can also involve culturally specific learning environments and smaller schools, especially when working with northern indigenous communities.

Ontario

As Canada’s most populous province, Ontario is also the largest education market for teaching jobs in Canada. The province includes major school systems in Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, and the surrounding regions.

Teachers in Ontario must be certified through the Ontario College of Teachers. To be certified, teachers must have completed a postsecondary degree and a four-semester teacher education program (these two requirements can be met through the same program).

Competition can be stronger in major urban centres, though certain specialties remain in demand. For example, the Toronto District School Board recently announced plans to cut several hundred teaching jobs, while also recruiting teachers to address a shortage in French-language educators.

Alberta

Alberta is facing a major teacher shortage in both major cities and rural communities. The demand for teachers is so high in Alberta, that the province recently introduced streamlined certification options for those hoping to teach in the province.

Alberta’s largest cities, Calgary and Edmonton, continue to attract newcomers due to relatively strong salaries and growing populations. Alberta also has the lowest personal income tax rate in Canada, meaning that workers get to keep more from each paycheque.

Despite the high-demand for teachers and other incentives, certification still takes work. Teacher certification for the province is managed by Alberta Education.

Manitoba

Manitoba has drawn attention for its relatively high teacher salaries, especially for experienced educators. The province’s recent collective agreement with its teachers show that the most qualified teachers can earn more than CAD $100,000 per year, with many teaching jobs available both in urban centres, like Winnipeg, and in rural areas. Some rural areas are facing an acute teacher shortage, meaning there are many job opportunities.

Teacher certification in Manitoba requires postsecondary studies and training in educating. However, the province did recently relax some certification rules, making it slightly easier for aspiring teachers to get their certification.

What salary do Teachers Make in Canada?

Teacher salaries in Canada vary significantly depending on the province, school board, qualifications, and years of experience. Entry-level teachers typically earn lower salaries, while experienced teachers with additional qualifications can earn more than CAD $100,000 annually in some regions.

Salary Comparison by Province

This selection of provinces and territories represents the landscape of teachers’ salaries across Canada.

These figures can change depending on collective agreements, qualifications, and additional responsibilities. It’s also important to remember that the cost of living differs across Canada. A higher salary in one province does not always mean greater affordability.

Now that you understand salary expectations, let’s look at how international educators can actually find teaching jobs in Canada.

How do I get a Teaching Job in Canada?

If you hope to find a teaching job in Canada during the next school year, preparation is important. Many school boards begin recruitment months before the academic year starts, especially for September hiring.

International teachers should ideally begin certification and credential assessment processes as early as possible, as it can take months to obtain educational assessments, and potentially longer to complete new training requirements.

Job Search Strategy and Timeline

Step 1: Research Provincial Certification Requirements

Every province has its own certification process. Begin by checking the certification process for your intended province(s) of destination. Before applying for jobs, research:

• Required documents
• Language requirements
• Processing timelines
• Additional coursework expectations

Starting this process early can save you months later.

Step 2: Plan Your Work Authorization or Permanent Residence

Most schools in Canada will only consider applicants who already have the authorization to work in Canada (though in rare cases, certain employers may assist prospective hires through the immigration process). For this reason, if you don’t already have the authorization to work in Canada, one of your earliest steps should be to research your immigration options.

To work in Canada, you’ll likely want to apply for a work permit or permanent resident status. You could also come to Canada as an international student, completing your educator training in Canada and finding a job after you graduate.

There are many different options for Canadian immigration. You can start by taking our Canadian immigration quiz, which will help you assess your options.

Step 3: Assess Your Credentials

If you completed your education outside Canada, you may need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). Organizations like WES – World Education Services (something many newcomers are familiar with!) may be able to assess your foreign education credentials, but it’s important to check the certification requirements for your intended province of destination. Follow the requirements laid out by that province.

Step 4: Prepare Your Canadian-Style Application Materials

Next step is to prepare your application materials. Canadian resumes and cover letters may differ from those used in your home country. Thankfully, we have a range of resources to help you prepare for your application process:

• How to write a Canadian resume
• How to write a cover letter in Canada

If possible, it’s best to write a tailored cover letter and resume, personalized for each job posting.

Step 5: Apply to School Boards and Job Platforms

Many Canadian schools use centralized hiring platforms. One of the most important is ApplyToEducation, which is used by many school boards across Canada.

You can also apply directly through provincial school board websites in your areas of interest, as well as to independent schools and private schools.

Immigration Pathways for Teachers

Canada offers several immigration pathways for teachers. Recent immigration changes have made education occupations more visible within Canada’s immigration system, especially through the popular Express Entry system.

Express Entry Education Occupations Category

In 2025, Canada added Education Occupations to its category-based Express Entry selection system. This allows Canada to target certain education professionals through specific invitation rounds. Currently, eligible education occupations include:

To qualify, candidates must still meet the requirements of an Express Entry program, like the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Canadian Experience Class.

Note: Canada is planning to overhaul the Express Entry system in 2027, so these criteria may change.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Some provinces prioritize education professionals through Provincial Nominee Programs or PNPs. Each province operates its own set of PNP streams, with certain streams targeting workers with job offers, experience, or training in in-demand occupations. In some cases, that includes teachers.

The best way to check your eligibility for PNP streams is to filter the options using our PNP Live Tracker Tool.

Work Permits for Teachers

Some international teachers first move to Canada using temporary work permits. Possible pathways include LMIA-based work permits (requiring a job offer and support from an employer), LMIA-exempt work permits like those offered through International Experience Canada (IEC), and Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP).

Study Permits for Teacher Training

A longer-term immigration option is to complete your postsecondary studies in Canada on a study permit. This can allow you to obtain the training needed to become a teacher. Plus, in most cases, graduates from education training programs are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which can enable you to stay in Canada and work after you graduate.

In the end, there are more than 100 different pathways for Canadian immigration. The best way to check your options is to start with our Canadian immigration quiz.

Common Challenges and Solutions

International teachers often face several common obstacles when trying to work in Canada. The good news is that most of these challenges can be addressed with preparation.

Credential Recognition Delays

If you have any experience with the immigration system, you won’t find it surprising that there can be delays in getting your educational credentials assessed. This is why it’s important to check the certification requirements early, and begin any credential assessments with enough time to address any possible delays.

Provincial Certification Complexity

Each province uses different standards and processes, so researching your target province early is critical to avoiding roadblocks in the future. You can consult the provincial and territorial regulatory bodies for teachers in this directory.

Work Authorization Requirements

International teachers need legal authorization to work in Canada. Even if a school board wants to hire you, immigration requirements still apply.

For many educators, Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs may offer strong long-term options for working in Canada, while study permits and work permits may be easier first steps.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Teaching jobs in Canada can offer strong salaries, stable careers, and meaningful opportunities for newcomers. But – teaching is also a regulated profession, and requires the proper paperwork.

If you’re serious about becoming a teacher in Canada, your next steps should be:

1. Determine the best path to work authorization (work permit, study permit, PR)
2. Determine the teacher certification requirements for your intended destination province
3. Begin the immigration process and determine a realistic timeline for work authorization approval
4. Applying for provincial teacher certification early
5. Start applying for jobs as soon as you are confident in your work authorization and teacher certification

With preparation, international educators can absolutely find teaching jobs in Canada.

Additional Moving2Canada Resources

• Provincial & territorial teacher regulatory bodies
• Moving2Canada Jobs Board
• How to Find a Job in Canada
• How to Write a Canadian-style Resume
• How to Write a Canadian cover letter
• Express Entry’s Education Occupations

Your Teaching Jobs FAQ Answered

Is there a demand for teachers in Canada?

Yes. Teacher shortages persist across almost every province and territory in Canada. This means there are many openings for teaching jobs in Canada. However, exact opportunities vary by province, subject area, and language ability. French-language education, rural communities, northern regions, and specialized education roles often experience stronger demand.

Canada’s decision to add Education Occupations to Express Entry category-based selection also reflects ongoing labour market needs in the sector.

What is the quickest way to become a teacher?

For internationally trained educators, the fastest pathway is usually:

1. Determine the best path to work authorization (work permit, study permit, permanent residence)
2. Determine the teacher certification requirements for your intended destination province
3. Begin the immigration process and determine a realistic timeline for work authorization approval
4. Applying for provincial teacher certification early
5. Start applying for teaching jobs in Canada as soon as you are confident in your work authorization and teacher certification

The exact timeline varies depending on the province and your educational background. But – with early and precise preparation, internationally trained educators are absolutely capable of finding teaching jobs in Canada.