Professor / Academic
Teach, research, and advance knowledge at a Canadian university - a highly competitive but deeply rewarding path.
About the Career
Academic positions are highly competitive - a PhD and strong publication record are required.
Salary in Canada
- Entry level: $80,000
- Senior level: $180,000
Full professors at research universities earn $150,000-$180,000+. Tenure-track positions are very competitive.
Job Outlook
Competitive demand. Academic positions are highly competitive - a PhD and strong publication record are required.
How to Get There
- BSc/BA + MSc/MA + PhD (typically 12-14 years post-Grade 12)
- Time to career: 12-14 years post-Grade 12
Key Skills
- Teaching & Curriculum Design
- Research & Publishing
- Grant Writing
- Mentoring
- Public Speaking
Typical Employers
- Universities & colleges
- Research institutes
- Government research agencies
- Industry R&D labs
High School Roadmap
- Follow your deepest intellectual interests. Read widely beyond the curriculum.
- Engage deeply with subjects you love. Enter competitions in your strongest area.
- Research how PhD programs work. Identify faculty whose research excites you at top Canadian universities.
- Apply to the strongest possible undergrad program in your field.
Top Universities for This Path
- University of Toronto – Toronto, ON
- McGill University – Montreal, QC
- University of British Columbia – Vancouver, BC
- University of Waterloo – Waterloo, ON
- University of Alberta – Edmonton, AB
Insider Tips
- Undergraduate research experience (working in a professor's lab) is essential for competitive PhD program applications.
- The academic job market is very competitive in most fields - have a plan B in industry or government.
- Canada's top research universities (UofT, UBC, McGill, Waterloo) produce the most successful academic applicants.