Jobs That Could Make You a Millionaire in Canada

Posted by Doug Murray on December 21, 2017

We all want a seven-figure bank account but let’s face it: we don’t all have that rich aunt who could leave us a million dollars in her will. Becoming a millionaire takes hard work and financial savvy and you probably won’t become one if you slog away in a low-paying, dead-end job. However, there are jobs that could bring you riches and maybe even make you a millionaire. Unless otherwise stated, the salaries listed here are in Canadian dollars.

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    1. Physician

    According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the average gross clinical payment to physicians was $339,000 in 2014–2015. If you’re a physician and you can pay off your student loans sooner rather than later, you’ll be able to make enough to be a millionaire.
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    2. Surgical Specialist

    Surgical specialists earn more money than family physicians. Combine your medical knowledge with entrepreneurial skills to start a biotech firm and, like Patrick Soon-Shiong, the world’s richest doctor, you could ramp up the million to a billion.
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    3. Investment Banker

    According to Workopolis, investment bankers start out with a salary of $120,000 to $350,000 but once they make partner or managing director, they can earn more than $20 million a year. However, they work long hours so it’s not the job for you if you want a good work life balance.
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    4. Software Architect

    Narcity says that software architecture is one of the highest-paying jobs in tech. A top job in this field can pay about $140,000 a year.
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    5. Tech Start-ups

    Even if you’re not a software architect, being involved in a tech start-up, even as a coder, can make you very, very rich if it takes off. Choosing the right city for your tech start-up is one of the secrets to success.
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    6. Athlete

    Workopolis says that becoming rich through sport requires dedication from a young age. However, if you’re great at what you do, you can become a millionaire in only a few years. Just ask Cristiano Ronaldo, the world’s highest-paid athlete.
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    7. Corporate Lawyer

    According to Workopolis, corporate lawyers in Canada can earn more than $200,000 a year. However, public interest lawyers don’t do as well in terms of pay.
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    8. Musician

    Most musicians never move beyond gigs in bars and small clubs but some do go on to do much, much bigger things. Take Paul McCartney, who once played seedy clubs in Hamburg before the Four became Fab. Now he’s a billionaire and the world’s richest rock star.
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    9. Inventor

    You never know where even the simplest idea can take you. Michele Ferrero, for instance, added vegetable oil to a traditional chocolate hazelnut paste and invented Nutella, according to Wikipedia. Today his family are billionaires.
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    10. Politician

    Politicians earn decent money and a generous pension can help them retire early. Once you’ve made your name as a politician, you just need a few well-paying speaking gigs and a book deal and a million will be within easy reach.
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    11. Professional Gambler

    If you have a good poker face, it can make you rich. According to Best Casino Sites, Bill Benter used his mathematical skills to strike it big, first at blackjack and now at horse racing. He often makes US$10 million in a single race day.
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    12. Actor

    Workopolis warns that the vast majority of actors earn very little. However, if you get your big break, you can go from poor to proud, just like these celebs who went from homeless to rich and famous.
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    13. YouTuber

    As Justin Bieber showed, YouTube can kickstart your career. You can also get rich through the video-sharing site itself. Narcity says that with a million subscribers you can make a minimum of $300,000.
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    14. Instagram Celeb

    You can make great money from your Instagram posts simply by building up a large following and getting your posts sponsored. HopperHQ says that makeup artist and beauty blogger Huda Kattan, who has more than 20 million followers on Instagram, makes US$18,000 per post.
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    15. Management Consultant

    Management consulting is a job that can easily pay over $200,000 a year. In fact, Workopolis says that experienced management consultants can earn over $800,000 a year.
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    16. Engineering Manager

    According to Workopolis, engineering managers make on average $113,000 to $140,000 a year. This is one of the highest-paying jobs in Canada and if you develop frugal habits, your salary will help you become a millionaire.
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    17. Actuary

    An actuary deals with risk management and this job is highly in demand around the world. Workopolis says that in Canada, an experienced actuary can make as much as $250,000 a year.
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    18. App Designer

    Narcity says that a hit app can earn its designers very good money. Working for a gaming or app design company tends to be fun too, since these companies typically offer great job perks.
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    19. Product Management Director

    A product management director oversees the process of turning an idea into a product. According to Workopolis, product management directors in Canada typically make from around $85,000 to $158,000 a year. Follow the lead of the world’s thriftiest rich people and you’ll soon save that first million.
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    20. Author

    Whether you write one hit book that becomes a movie or churn out a bestselling paperback every year, being an author can be a lucrative career. According to Forbes, the world’s 11 highest-paid authors in the past year together made US$312.5 million.
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