At a glance
Pay shows the low (10th percentile) to high (90th percentile) Canada-wide wages for Secondary school teachers, from Job Bank (2023–2024), as yearly amounts for full-time work. Pay varies by province, city and experience. See wages in your area on Job Bank
What you'll do
- Plan and deliver lessons that follow the provincial curriculum
- Assess student learning and give clear feedback
- Adapt teaching for students with different needs
- Keep in touch with parents and guardians
- Take part in school activities, meetings and professional learning
How to get there
- Earn a bachelor's degree, then complete a teacher education program (Bachelor of Education) at a Canadian university.
- Apply for certification with your provincial or territorial regulator, such as the Ontario College of Teachers.
- Teachers trained outside Canada can apply to have their credentials assessed by the provincial regulator.
- Many new teachers start on supply or occasional teacher lists before getting a permanent position.
Teaching in publicly funded schools is a regulated profession in Canada: teachers need a certificate from the province or territory, such as membership in the Ontario College of Teachers. Anyone working with children usually also needs a criminal record check with a vulnerable sector check.
Your bilingual advantage
Speaking two languages makes you stand out in Teacher jobs. Here's where it helps most and how to prove it.
Where bilingual skills are in demand
- Quebec, where French is the language of work and English or other languages often help with clients outside the province
- New Brunswick, Canada's only officially bilingual province
- Ottawa–Gatineau and the federal public service, where many positions are designated bilingual
- National companies serving customers across Canada, and employers serving newcomer communities in other languages
Prove your level
Employers trust a recognized result more than "fluent". For French, common tests include the DELF and DALF diplomas and the TEF and TCF tests. Federal public service jobs use their own Second Language Evaluation (levels A, B and C). Describe your level for speaking, reading and writing separately.
Expect part of the interview in each language
Bilingual employers often switch languages during the interview or give a short written task. Practise answering the questions on this page in both languages.
What employers look for
Usually required
- Teaching certification in the province, or eligibility for it
- Experience teaching the grades or subjects listed
- Strong classroom management
- Clear communication with students, families and colleagues
- A clear criminal record check, including a vulnerable sector check
Gives you an edge
- French as a second language or French immersion qualifications
- Special education or English language learner training
How to stand out
French as a second language and French immersion teachers are in high demand across Canada.
Highlight specialties such as special education, math, science or English language learners.
Have a clear criminal record check with a vulnerable sector check ready.
See a full Bilingual Teacher résumé example, or get our Bilingual Resume Template.
Interview questions to prepare for
Employers hiring for this job often ask questions like these. Prepare a short, specific example for each.
- Describe a lesson that went really well. Why did it work?
- How do you support a student who is falling behind?
- How do you handle a disruptive class?
- How do you communicate with a parent who is unhappy with a grade?
- How do you use assessment to plan your next lessons?
Your rights and tips as a job seeker in Canada
Know the pay before you apply
In British Columbia and Prince Edward Island, public job postings must include the pay or pay range. In Ontario, so must postings from employers with 25 or more employees made since January 1, 2026. Use the pay on this page to judge whether an offer is fair.
New to Canada?
In Ontario, employers with 25 or more employees can't ask for Canadian experience in a job posting or application form. For regulated jobs, such as engineering, teaching or a skilled trade, contact the provincial regulator early to have your credentials assessed.
You're protected from discrimination
Human rights laws mean employers can't make hiring decisions based on your age, sex, gender identity, race, religion, disability, or family or marital status. You can ask for accommodation during the hiring process, for example for an interview.
Hear back after interviews
In Ontario, employers with 25 or more employees must tell you within 45 days of your last interview whether a hiring decision has been made for a publicly advertised job.
Never pay to get a job
Real employers don't charge you to apply, to be trained or to be hired, and they don't ask for banking details before an offer. Only share your Social Insurance Number (SIN) after you're hired. Stay safe from job scams
Starting out young?
Each province sets its own minimum working age and limits on hours for young workers. See the rules by province
General information, checked on October 3, 2026. It isn't legal advice; rules depend on your province or territory.
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