Let me be straight with you.
When most people think about moving to the USA or Canada for work, they picture the obvious stuff — software engineers, doctors, nurses, or finance guys sitting in glass towers. And yes, those jobs pay well. But here’s what nobody is really talking about: there is an entire world of jobs in both countries that pay $80,000, $90,000, even $120,000 a year — and the people doing them are not the ones you’d expect.
They are not all degree holders. Some of them never finished university. Some of them learned their skills in a few months. Some of them came from countries like Pakistan, India, the Philippines, and Nigeria — with nothing but determination and the right information.
This article is that right information.
We are going to walk through real, in-demand, high-paying jobs in the United States and Canada that most job seekers completely overlook. We will talk about what the job is, what it pays, why it is in demand, and how someone from outside these countries can actually get into it.
No fluff. No generic advice. Let’s get into it.
Why USA and Canada Are Still the Best Countries for Career Growth
Before we get to the jobs, let’s address something important. A lot of people online are now saying “Europe is better” or “Gulf countries pay more.” And sure, there is some truth in certain contexts. But when you look at the full picture — salary, quality of life, career growth, immigration pathways, and long-term stability — USA and Canada still sit at the top.
Here is why.
In the United States, the economy is enormous. It is the largest in the world. That means more industries, more companies, more competition among employers — and that competition drives salaries up. When companies are fighting over skilled workers, the worker wins.
In Canada, the government has openly stated that it needs over a million immigrants in the next few years specifically to fill labour shortages. That is not speculation. That is government policy. Canada is literally building immigration programs around the idea that they do not have enough workers. For someone reading this from abroad, that is an open invitation.
Both countries also have something that many high-paying regions in the world do not: a pathway to permanent residency and eventually citizenship. Working in the Gulf pays well, but you will always be a guest worker. In Canada or the USA, you can build a life, bring your family, and settle permanently.
That is the bigger picture. Now let’s talk money.
Job #1: Elevator Installer and Repairer
Average Salary: $85,000 – $120,000 per year
Yes, you read that correctly. The person who installs and fixes elevators is one of the highest-paid tradespeople in both the USA and Canada — and almost nobody outside the industry talks about this job.
Elevator mechanics, as they are officially called, install, maintain, and repair elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifting equipment. Cities are always building new high-rises. Old buildings always need their elevators upgraded or repaired. This work never stops.
In the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists elevator installers and repairers as one of the top-paying trade jobs in the country, with median annual wages well above $80,000. In cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, experienced elevator mechanics can earn over $100,000 easily — and that is before overtime.
In Canada, the demand is equally strong. Toronto and Vancouver are in construction booms that show no sign of slowing down. Elevator mechanics there earn between CAD $75,000 and CAD $110,000 depending on experience and location.
How do you get into this field? In both countries, elevator mechanics typically go through an apprenticeship program. This means you work and learn at the same time — you earn while you train. The apprenticeship usually takes about four to five years, but once you are certified, your earning potential is significant.
For immigrants, this field is accessible through the skilled trades immigration streams in Canada, particularly through Provincial Nominee Programs that specifically target tradespeople.
Job #2: Radiation Therapist
Average Salary: $80,000 – $105,000 per year
This one surprises a lot of people because it sits right at the edge of medical and technical work — but it does not require a full medical degree.
Radiation therapists work in cancer treatment centres. They operate the machines that deliver radiation therapy to cancer patients. They position patients, calibrate equipment, follow treatment plans prepared by oncologists, and monitor patients during sessions. It is serious, skilled work — and it is absolutely in demand.
Cancer rates are unfortunately rising in both the USA and Canada, and the ageing population means more people are needing cancer treatment every year. The healthcare systems in both countries are actively looking for radiation therapists, and they cannot find enough of them.
In the United States, the median annual salary for radiation therapists is around $82,000 to $95,000, with senior therapists in high-cost cities earning well over $100,000. In Canada, salaries range from CAD $75,000 to CAD $95,000, with strong demand in provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.
The qualification path typically involves a two to four year degree in radiation therapy from an accredited program, followed by licensing exams. For internationally trained radiation therapists — particularly those from countries where this training exists — there are bridging programs in Canada that help you get your credentials recognized without starting from scratch.
This is a job that combines good pay, genuine job security, and the satisfaction of helping people at the most difficult time of their lives.
Job #3: Industrial Millwright
Average Salary: $75,000 – $100,000 per year
A millwright is someone who installs, maintains, and repairs the heavy machinery inside factories, power plants, mines, and industrial facilities. If a factory has a giant machine that stamps out car parts, a millwright is the person who put that machine together, keeps it running, and fixes it when it breaks down.
This sounds unglamorous. But here is the reality: factories cannot operate without millwrights. When a production line breaks down, every minute costs thousands of dollars. The millwright who gets it back up and running is not just valuable — they are essential.
In Canada especially, this trade is in massive demand. The oil sands in Alberta, the manufacturing sector in Ontario, the mining operations across the country — all of them need millwrights. The government of Canada has listed industrial millwright as one of its in-demand occupations, and provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan actively invite millwrights through their immigration programs.
Pay in Canada ranges from CAD $70,000 to CAD $100,000, with overtime frequently pushing annual earnings higher. In the USA, millwrights earn between $60,000 and $90,000 on average, with significant variation by state and industry.
Getting into this trade also follows the apprenticeship model — typically a four to five year program. But many employers actively recruit internationally trained millwrights, especially in Canada, where the shortage is most acute.
Job #4: Air Traffic Controller
Average Salary: $90,000 – $130,000 per year
Few jobs on this list carry as much responsibility — or reward it as generously — as air traffic control. Air traffic controllers manage the movement of aircraft in the sky and on runways, communicating with pilots to ensure safe takeoffs, landings, and in-flight navigation.
It is a high-stress job. The training is rigorous. But the pay reflects all of that, and then some.
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration employs air traffic controllers, and their median annual salary sits above $130,000. It is one of the highest-paying government jobs in the country. In Canada, Nav Canada — the private company that manages air navigation — pays controllers in a similar range, with many experienced controllers earning over CAD $100,000.
Now, this is not an easy field to break into for internationally trained candidates. Both countries require completing their own training programs and passing specific certifications. However, for people who already have aviation backgrounds — pilots, military aviation personnel, aviation technicians — this is a realistic career path. And given that both countries are facing controller shortages as older workers retire, the doors are opening wider than they have been in years.
Job #5: Construction Manager
Average Salary: $85,000 – $130,000 per year
Here is one that many people from construction-heavy countries like Pakistan, India, and Egypt are actually well-positioned for — yet they often do not realize it.
Construction managers oversee building projects from start to finish. They coordinate workers, manage budgets, handle permits, deal with suppliers, and ensure that everything gets built on time and within cost. In short, they make construction projects actually happen.
Both the USA and Canada are in the middle of massive infrastructure and housing booms. There are not enough homes. There are not enough roads. There are not enough hospitals and schools being built to keep up with population growth. And there are not enough construction managers to oversee all this work.
In the United States, construction managers earn between $90,000 and $130,000 on average, with senior managers at large firms earning considerably more. In Canada, the range is CAD $80,000 to CAD $120,000, and provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta are actively recruiting construction professionals.
What makes this particularly interesting for internationally trained candidates is that construction management experience gained in other countries is often recognized and valued. Companies are not always looking for a Canadian degree — they are looking for someone who has managed large projects, handled teams, and delivered results. If you have that background, it translates.
Professional credentials like the PMP (Project Management Professional) certification, which is internationally recognized, can significantly strengthen your profile when applying in either country.
Job #6: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Ultrasound Technician)
Average Salary: $75,000 – $95,000 per year
This is the person who operates ultrasound equipment to help diagnose medical conditions. They work in hospitals, clinics, and imaging centres, performing scans on patients and producing images that doctors use to diagnose problems — from pregnancies to heart conditions to tumours.
It is skilled, specialized work that sits at the intersection of technology and healthcare. And both the USA and Canada have a serious shortage of these professionals.
The pathway into this field typically involves a two-year associate degree or diploma program in sonography, followed by certification exams. For internationally trained sonographers, credential recognition programs exist in Canada through bodies like Sonography Canada.
Pay in the United States averages between $75,000 and $90,000, with experienced sonographers in certain specializations earning over $95,000. In Canada, the range is CAD $65,000 to CAD $90,000, with strong demand particularly in rural and smaller urban centres where the shortage is most severe.
Job #7: Sheet Metal Worker
Average Salary: $65,000 – $95,000 per year
Sheet metal workers fabricate and install products made from thin metal sheets — things like HVAC ductwork, roofing components, gutters, and more. They work in construction, manufacturing, and industrial settings.
This is another trade job that people underestimate. But the numbers tell a different story. In the United States, experienced sheet metal workers regularly earn over $80,000, and union sheet metal workers in major cities can earn significantly more when benefits are included. In Canada, wages range from CAD $60,000 to CAD $90,000, and the trade is listed as in-demand across multiple provinces.
Like other skilled trades, entry is typically through an apprenticeship. Canada specifically has immigration pathways that fast-track skilled tradespeople, including sheet metal workers, through programs like the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Job #8: Power Line Technician (Lineman)
Average Salary: $80,000 – $110,000 per year
Power line technicians — called linemen in the USA — install and maintain the electrical lines that bring power from generating stations to homes and businesses. They work outdoors, often at height, and their work is physically demanding.
It is also extremely well-compensated.
In the United States, experienced linemen earn between $80,000 and $110,000 per year, with overtime frequently adding significantly to that figure. In Canada, the numbers are similar — and utility companies across the country are actively hiring because the existing workforce is ageing and not enough young people are entering the trade.
This is a job where the physical demands are real, but so is the financial reward. And it is another trade where the apprenticeship model means you earn while you learn, making it accessible to people who cannot afford years of full-time education.
The Big Picture: How to Actually Get These Jobs as a Foreigner
Reading about these jobs is one thing. Actually getting one is another. So let’s talk about the realistic path.
For Canada, the Express Entry system is your starting point for most professional roles. It is a points-based immigration system that ranks candidates based on age, education, work experience, and language skills. If you score high enough, you receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residency. Many of the jobs on this list — particularly in healthcare and skilled trades — have additional pathways through Provincial Nominee Programs, which allow individual provinces to invite workers with skills they specifically need.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program is particularly relevant for the trade jobs on this list. It has lower education requirements than other streams and places more weight on your actual work experience.
For the United States, the path for foreign workers typically involves an employer-sponsored visa — most commonly the H-1B for professional roles, or the H-2B for temporary skilled workers. The reality is that the US system is more employer-dependent than Canada’s, meaning you generally need a US employer to sponsor you before you arrive. This makes networking and applying to US companies directly especially important.
In both countries, language proficiency is non-negotiable. For Canada, IELTS or CELPIP scores are required. For the USA, your ability to communicate professionally in English will be tested in every interview. If your English is not strong, invest in it before anything else. It is the single biggest barrier — and the single most fixable one.
What You Should Do Right Now
If any of these jobs caught your attention, here is a simple action plan.
First, research the credential recognition process for your chosen field in the country you are targeting. Each profession has a regulatory body that oversees foreign credential recognition, and understanding that process early will save you enormous time later.
Second, take an honest look at your language skills and work on them if needed. This is not optional.
Third, start building connections in your target industry. LinkedIn is your best tool here. Connect with people working in your field in the USA or Canada. Join professional groups. Follow companies that hire in your specialty. Visibility matters.
Fourth, look into the specific immigration programs relevant to your profession. The Government of Canada’s official immigration website and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website are your most reliable sources — not agents, not YouTube channels that are trying to sell you something.
Final Thought
The jobs most people chase are not always the best opportunities. The smartest move is often to go where the demand is highest and the competition is lowest — and that is exactly where these eight careers sit.
$80,000 a year in the United States or Canada is not a dream. For people with the right skills, the right information, and the willingness to put in the work, it is a very achievable reality.
Now you have the information. The work part is up to you.
