The top summer jobs for international students in Canada
International students in Canada have a variety of choices when it comes to work options in the country—many of which can pay quite well.
Furthermore, most study permits provide holders with legal authorization to work in most industries for most employers in Canada—subject to the limit of 24 hours per week for off-campus work while classes are in session.
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This article will cover some of the best jobs for international students to pursue this summer, with consideration to work authorization limits, pay, flexibility of work hours, and more.
Methodology
In building our list of top summer jobs for international students in Canada, we considered jobs in three modalities, based on legal restrictions that international students have while working in Canada:
| Location of work | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Jobs off campus | International students may work 24 hours a week off-campus during regular school sessions. |
| During regularly scheduled breaks (such as summer break) international students may work an unlimited number of hours off-campus | |
| Jobs on-campus | International students may work an unlimited number of hours on-campus |
| Remote jobs with a foreign employer | Anyone in Canada can freelance remotely for foreign clients, as this is not entering the Canadian labour market. |
In addition, we assessed jobs based on the following five factors:
- Pay;
- Flexibility;
- Physical demand of work; and
- Market demand for the job.
Note: Salary figures and employment outlooks are taken from Canada’s National Job Bank.
Top summer jobs for international students
The following tables are ordered by location of work and provide a summary of the full job list, with further details of each position given below:
On-Campus work:
| Job Role | Median National Pay (CAD) | Flexibility | Physical Demands | Employment outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research assistant (RA) | $ 25.97 | Medium-High | Low | Varies |
| Teaching Assistant (TA) | $ 25.97 | Medium | Low | Varies |
Off-Campus work:
| Job Role | Median National Pay (CAD) | Flexibility | Physical Demands | Employment outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tree Planter* | $ 27.00* | Low | High | Very limited to limited |
| Landscaping Labourer | $ 20.00 | Medium | High | Moderate to good |
| Retail Sales Associate | $ 16.50 | Medium | Medium | Limited to moderate |
| Bartender** | $ 19.25 (+ tips) | Medium | Medium | Limited to moderate |
| Barista / Café Server** | $ 16.00 (+ tips) | Medium | Medium | Moderate |
*Tree planters are typically paid a flat rate per tree planted. Actual earnings can vary widely depending on how productive a tree planter is. The hourly figure is an average based on earnings.
**These roles may also be available on campus.
For some jobs, such as bartending, tree planting, tutoring, and data annotation, the pay may have the potential to be significantly higher or lower than the median, depending on the employer.
Other jobs, such as retail sales and landscaping, tend to have narrower pay bands.
Remote:
| Job Role | Median National Pay (CAD) | Flexibility | Physical Demand | Employment outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Annotator | $ 22.00 | High | Low | Moderate to good |
| Online/Private Tutor | $ 19.05 | Medium | Low | Moderate to good |
| Virtual Assistant | $ 23.00 | Medium - High | Low | Moderate to good |
When working remotely for foreign clients, international students can work an unlimited number of hours.
If working remotely for Canadian clients, the normal limit to off-campus work hours (24h/week while classes are in session) will apply.
Below, more detail is given on each job, along with each role’s associated National Occupation Classification (NOC).
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Research Assistant, University / College (NOC 41201)
Category: On-campus.
Job Description: University research assistants (RAs) support faculty members in conducting academic research across various disciplines, including sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.
Responsibilities vary greatly and can encompass data collection and analysis, literature reviews, laboratory experiments, and assisting in the preparation of publications and presentations.
These positions are typically part-time and are often filled by undergraduate or graduate students seeking to gain research experience in their field of study.
Pay: High.
According to Canada's Job Bank, the national median wage for post-secondary teaching and research assistants is $25.97 per hour. Wages vary from $15.00 to $46.45 per hour, depending on the region and level of experience.
Flexibility: Medium to high.
RA positions often offer flexible scheduling to accommodate students' academic commitments.
Work hours are typically arranged between the student and supervising faculty member, with allowances often given around class schedules and exams. But some projects may require adherence to specific timelines or deadlines, which can impact flexibility.
Physical demand: Low*
The role is generally low in physical demands, involving tasks such as reading, writing, data analysis, and computer-based work.
*In some cases, for certain disciplines, lab work, field work, or other hands-on experiments or data collection may have significant physical demands.
RA work provides a comfortable and intellectually rigorous work environment, making it an ideal position for students who prefer academic and research-oriented tasks over physically demanding jobs.
Employment Outlook: Varies.
The availability of research assistantships varies widely depending on the school, discipline, and even on the supervisor and/or on the basis of annual grant funding.
Some schools will guarantee graduate students in certain programs a certain number of RA hours and include that pay as part of the student's overall funding package, and it may not always be possible to get more hours or to take on additional RA roles.
In other cases, there may be additional research assistantships available that you can apply for above and beyond your standard funding package.
The best way to pursue research assistantships is to speak with your supervisor or a faculty mentor for information on opportunities available to you.
License Requirements: None.
No formal licensing is required to work as a research assistant at a university.
However, positions typically require enrollment in a relevant undergraduate or graduate program. Specific skills or coursework may be necessary, depending on the nature of the research project(s).
Teaching Assistant – University/College (41201)
Category: On-campus.
Job Description: Teaching Assistants (TAs) at universities and colleges support faculty members by assisting in the delivery of course content and managing various instructional tasks.
Responsibilities may include leading discussion groups, conducting laboratory sessions, grading assignments and exams, preparing teaching materials, and providing academic support to students.
Pay: High.
According to Canada's Job Bank, the national median wage for post-secondary teaching and research assistants is $25.97 per hour, with wages ranging from $15.00 to $46.45 per hour, depending on the region and level of experience.
Flexibility: Medium.
TA positions typically follow the academic calendar and are structured around course schedules. While some flexibility exists in arranging office hours or grading times, TAs are generally required to be available for scheduled classes, labs, and meetings.
While TA schedules and responsibilities can be similar to research assistants, the adherence to class schedules and grading responsibilities may limit flexibility while classes are in session.
Physical demand: Low.
The role is primarily academic and involves tasks such as teaching, grading, and student interaction, which are intellectually engaging but not physically demanding.
Working in educational settings like classrooms or offices offers a comfortable environment, making it a suitable option for students who prefer academic work over physically intensive jobs. The added convenience of location may prove a plus for many students considering TA positions.
Employment Outlook: Varies.
As with RAships, the availability of TAships can vary widely depending on the school or program.
In some schools and disciplines, TAships may be available only or predominantly to graduate students.
TAships may also be guaranteed with a set number of hours and included as part of a graduate student funding package for some programs—with additional hours or positions not typically available.
In other cases, you may be able to apply for additional TAships above and beyond your funding package.
As with RAships, your best bet is to speak with your supervisor or with a faculty mentor about TAship opportunities.
License Requirements: None.
No formal licensing is required to work as a TA.
But candidates are typically expected to be enrolled in a relevant undergraduate or graduate program and may need to have completed certain courses or possess specific academic qualifications related to the subject they will be assisting with.
Often, faculty members hiring for TA positions may ask candidates about their expertise around specific course materials, or general subject matter—as well as previous teaching experience.
Tree Planter (NOC 85101)
Category: Off-campus
Job Description: Tree planters work in remote or rural areas reforesting land, usually for forestry companies.
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It's seasonal work that typically runs from late spring to early fall.
This work can be tough but generally pays well and can be beneficial for students looking for a change of scenery during the summer break.
Pay: High.
Tree planters are paid per tree planted, with experienced workers earning $200–$300/day or more.
Tree planters typically have to pay daily camp fees, so prospective tree planters should take into account camp fees when estimating their expected take-home earnings.
According to Canada’s Job Bank, the lower end range of pay starts at roughly $18/hour, with the higher-paid tree planters earning up to $45/hour for their work.
Flexibility: Low.
Tree planting contracts can last several weeks or months and may require students to relocate temporarily.
For many students, working as a tree planter will only be feasible during the summer break.
Physical demand: High.
Tree planting is very physically demanding outdoor work, often in rugged and remote environments.
Tree planters often live in tents and can expect significant exposure to mosquitoes and/or blackflies when working.
While the work on an hour-to-hour basis is not exceedingly grueling, the accumulation of work hours throughout the day/week can make tree planting much more physically taxing than other jobs on our list.
Employment Outlook: Moderate to good, with strong seasonal demand.
High turnover and environmental policy initiatives create recurring demand each summer.
License Requirements: None.
Landscaping Labourer (NOC 85121)
Category: Off-campus
Job Description: Landscaping labourers assist with the maintenance and construction of outdoor spaces, including gardens, parks, and residential lawns.
Tasks include mowing, planting, weeding, and operating light machinery.
Pay: Low to Moderate.
Canada's Job Bank reports a median wage of $20/hour, with some regional variance.
At the low end, landscapers can be paid $ 16/hour, while at the higher end, more experienced workers can early a wage of $27/hour.
Flexibility: Medium.
Many landscaping companies hire students for the summer season.
Hours are typically fixed (weekday shifts), and are usually during regular work hours.
Physical demand: High.
The work is physically demanding but generally less intense than tree planting.
Day work during the summer seasons can also add to the physical demands of this kind of work.
Landscaping is often done in more residential areas than tree planting, usually yielding a greater ability for landscapers to find places to rest, close to their workplace.
Employment Outlook: Moderate to good.
There is seasonal demand in most provinces from late spring to fall.
Notably larger labour markets like Ontario and British Columbia had positive outlooks for landscaping work, while smaller markets like Alberta, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia had more moderate outlooks.
License Requirements: None.
Retail Sales Associate (NOC 64100)
Category: Off-campus.
Job Description: Retail Sales Associates assist customers in selecting and purchasing products in various retail settings, such as clothing stores, electronics shops, and supermarkets.
Responsibilities include greeting customers, providing product information, processing transactions, restocking shelves, and maintaining store cleanliness.
This role is ideal for students seeking entry-level employment that offers customer interaction and the development of sales skills.
Pay: Low to moderate.
Per Canada's Job Bank, the national median wage for retail salespersons is $16.50/hour, with wages ranging from $15.00 to $27.00/hour, depending on the region and employer.
Flexibility: Medium.
Retail positions often offer part-time and shift-based schedules, including evenings and weekends, which can align well with students' academic commitments.
That said, scheduling is typically determined by the employer, offering less flexibility compared to gig or freelance roles.
Physical demand: Low to medium.
The role involves standing for extended periods, stocking merchandise, and assisting customers, which can be physically demanding.
While not very strenuous, it requires energy and stamina, especially during busy shopping periods.
Students should also be aware of the emotional component of being in a customer-facing role, which can often be mentally taxing.
Employment Outlook: Varies by region.
The employment outlook for retail salespersons varies across Canada.
For the 2024–2026 period, smaller provinces like Alberta and Manitoba report “Moderate” employment opportunities, while bigger markets like Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia report “Limited” employment opportunities.
While the Job Bank reports varying employment outlooks, it should be noted that retail (or more formally, “wholesale and retail trade”) has seen significant and persistent job vacancies in Canada for multiple consecutive years, indicating that there may be a good number of job prospects for students to explore.
License Requirements: None.
No formal licensing is required for retail sales associate positions. Employers typically provide on-the-job training.
Bartender (NOC 64301)
Category: Off-campus.
Job Description: Bartenders prepare and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in establishments such as bars, restaurants, and clubs.
Responsibilities include mixing drinks, taking orders, handling payments, and ensuring a clean and organized bar area.
This role is ideal for students who enjoy social interaction and working in dynamic environments.
Pay: Moderate.
According to Canada's Job Bank, the national median wage for bartenders is $19.25/hour, with wages ranging from $15.00 to $29.25/hour, depending on the region, bartending experience, and establishment.
In addition to base wages, bartenders have the opportunity to earn tips, which can significantly augment their take-home pay.
Flexibility: Medium.
Bartending positions often offer evening and weekend shifts, which can align well with students' academic schedules, but the fixed nature of shift work may limit flexibility compared to freelance roles.
Notably, the majority of bartending shifts tend to occur at night, with many stretching into the early hours of the morning—something which may constrain students looking for work during the day as well.
Physical demand: Medium.
The role involves standing for extended periods, handling multiple orders, and working in a fast-paced environment, especially during peak hours.
While it can be physically demanding, it also offers opportunities for social engagement and skill development.
Similar to retail sales associates, bartending is yet another customer-facing service role that can require a considerable amount of cognitive effort around social interactions.
Employment Outlook: Varies by region.
The employment outlook for bartenders varies across Canada. For the 2024–2026 period, employment prospects were:
- Moderate in Ontario and British Columbia.
- Limited in Alberta.
- Very limited in Quebec.
These variations depend on regional economic conditions and the hospitality industry's demand.
Bartending can be a challenging job to break into, especially with no prior experience.
License Requirements: Varies by province.
Most provinces require bartenders to obtain a certification for responsible alcohol service, such as:
- Ontario: Smart Serve
- British Columbia: Serving It Right
- Alberta: ProServes.
These certifications typically involve completing a short training program and passing an exam.
Other provinces may not require bartenders to have a formal certification, though all provinces greatly recommend it for job seekers. More information can be found here.
Barista (NOC 65201)
Category: Off-campus.
Job Description: Baristas prepare and serve a variety of coffee and tea beverages in establishments such as cafés, coffee shops, and restaurants.
Responsibilities include operating espresso machines, handling customer orders, maintaining cleanliness, and providing excellent customer service.
This role is ideal for students who enjoy a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
Pay: Low.
According to Canada's Job Bank, the national median wage for baristas is $16.00/hour, with wages ranging from $15.00 to $20.00/hour, depending on the region and employer.
Flexibility: Medium.
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Barista positions often offer part-time and shift-based schedules, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, which can align well with students' academic commitments.
Scheduling is typically determined by the employer, offering less flexibility compared to freelance roles.
Physical demand: Medium.
The role involves standing for extended periods, handling multiple orders, and working in a fast-paced environment, especially during peak hours. While it can be physically demanding, it also offers opportunities for social engagement and skill development.
Like bartending and retail associate responsibilities, work as a Barista involves a considerable amount of customer service and social interaction.
Employment Outlook: Varies by region.
Most provinces across Canada noted “Moderate” employment outlooks for baristas in the 2024–2026 period, including Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. Quebec was notably listed as “Limited”.
License Requirements: None.
No formal licensing is required for barista positions. Employers typically provide on-the-job training.
Data Annotator (NOC 14111 or similar)
Category: Remote
Job Description: Data annotators label and classify text, images, or audio data used to train machine learning models, particularly for large language models and AI applications.
These roles are often hired through online platforms or third-party agencies and involve tagging, reviewing, or editing datasets to ensure accuracy for machine learning systems.
Pay: Moderate to high.
While official NOC data is limited, reports suggest that corresponding NOC titles earn a national median salary of $22.00/hour, depending on the client and complexity of the task. On the higher end, these roles can earn up to $30.81/hour—with some projects paying per task completed.
Flexibility: High.
Data annotation roles are typically remote, asynchronous, and project-based, allowing students to work around academic schedules.
Physical demand: Low
The job is computer-based and not physically demanding.
However, attention to detail is critical and the high level of focus required for some tasks may pose a challenge over longer work hours.
Overall, the job features very low physical demands and can be done virtually anywhere on or off campus with a stable internet connection.
Employment Outlook: Moderate to good.
As AI model training becomes more widespread, demand for human annotation support is rising, though opportunities may be inconsistent.
As of current projections, Canada’s most populous job markets (British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec) have good job prospects, with more moderate outlooks in other markets in the country.
Due to the remote nature of this kind of work, students may also pursue job opportunities with foreign companies.
License Requirements: None.
Online / Private Tutor – Post-secondary School Subjects (NOC 43109)
Category: Remote (Foreign) or Off-campus
Job Description: Post-secondary subject tutors provide academic support to college and university students across various disciplines, including mathematics, sciences, humanities, and languages.
Tutoring can be conducted in-person or online, with many students leveraging online platforms to connect with learners globally.
This role is particularly advantageous for international students in Canada, as it allows for remote work with foreign clients, which is not subject to the Canadian work hour restrictions of an international study permit.
Pay: Moderate to high.
According to Canada's Job Bank, the national median wage for tutors in this category is $19.05/hour, with potential earnings reaching up to $33.47/hour depending on experience, subject matter, and client base.
Flexibility: Very high.
Tutoring offers international students a lot of scheduling flexibility.
Tutors can set their own hours, scheduling sessions around their academic commitments. This freedom is ideal for students seeking to balance work with studies, especially during summer breaks or weekends.
Physical demand: Low.
The role is intellectually engaging but not physically demanding.
Sessions are typically conducted in comfortable settings, such as libraries, cafes, or online, making it a low-stress job that can even be done from the comfort of a student’s home.
Employment Outlook: Moderate to good.
The demand for tutors varies by region.
For instance, the employment outlook for this occupation is rated as "Good" in Alberta and Quebec, but "Moderate" in Manitoba for the 2024–2026 period. In other key markets like British Columbia and Ontario, employment outlooks were “Limited” and “Undetermined” respectively.
License Requirements: None.
No formal licensing is required to work as a tutor in Canada, but proficiency in the subject area and strong communication skills are essential.
Some online tutoring platforms may require background checks or proof of educational qualifications.
Virtual Assistant (NOC 14100 (or similar NOCs))
Category: Remote
Job Description: Virtual assistants provide remote administrative support to businesses, entrepreneurs, and busy professionals.
Their tasks vary depending on the client but may include managing emails, scheduling appointments, data entry, handling customer queries, maintaining social media accounts, and more.
This role is especially well-suited for international students in Canada, as it can be performed entirely online for clients outside Canada, and hours worked freelancing for foreign clients are not subject to study permit work hour restrictions.
Pay: Moderate to high.
According to Canada's Job Bank, the national median wage for administrative assistants in this category is $23.00/hour, with earnings ranging from $18.00 to $35.00/hour, depending on experience, skill set, and client type.
Flexibility: High.
Many virtual assistant roles allow for flexible scheduling, particularly when supporting clients in different time zones.
While these roles will require the completion of time-sensitive tasks, many virtual assistants may be able to choose their hours or work asynchronously, making this job compatible with academic responsibilities and appealing to students who need adaptable work arrangements.
Physical demand: High.
The work is computer-based and typically done from home or another quiet setting.
Virtual assistants do not need to commute, and many find the job manageable and comfortable, particularly if they are organized and tech-savvy.
Employment Outlook: Moderate to good.
According to Canada's Job Bank, the employment outlook for office administrative assistants (NOC 14100) is rated as
- Good in British Columbia and Prince Edward Island;
- Moderate in Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba;
- Limited in Saskatchewan and in Newfoundland and Labrador.
This suggests moderate national demand, with stronger prospects in certain provinces.
License Requirements: None.
While there are no formal licensing requirements for becoming a virtual assistant, strong organizational, communication, and computer skills are essential.
Familiarity with tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, or scheduling apps can be highly beneficial.
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