Finding work while studying abroad can feel like trying to balance on a moving train. You’re managing coursework, adjusting to a new culture, and at the same time, you need money for rent, groceries, or maybe just the occasional splurge on a concert ticket. For international students in Canada, part-time jobs often provide more than just financial relief—they help build connections, strengthen language skills, and open doors to future careers.
Yet, not every city offers the same experience when it comes to student job opportunities. Some appear to have a healthier mix of industries, some benefit from a stronger local economy, and others simply make it easier for students to land shifts that fit around their class schedules. Choosing a study destination, then, isn’t just about picking a university—it’s also about asking: where can I realistically find work?
Below, we’ll walk through five Canadian cities that stand out for student job opportunities. Each one has its strengths, its quirks, and in some cases, its challenges.
1. Toronto, Ontario
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, and that scale alone gives students a clear advantage. Walk down any major street and you’ll see the endless rows of cafés, retail stores, and restaurants—places that are often open to hiring students who can juggle shifts. The hospitality and retail sectors, in particular, seem to be steady sources of part-time work.
But Toronto isn’t only about serving tables or working behind a cash register. Students in fields like finance, tech, or media may notice that the city doubles as a professional hub. Co-op programs and internships are frequently available, and some part-time positions can later transition into full-time roles after graduation. Still, competition can be tough. With so many students from the University of Toronto, Ryerson (now Toronto Metropolitan University), and York University, the job pool can feel crowded.
The cost of living, too, complicates the picture. Rent in Toronto is among the highest in the country. So while there may be a lot of job openings, the paycheck sometimes doesn’t stretch as far as you’d hope. Many students end up taking two part-time roles just to keep afloat. Whether that’s a positive or negative depends on your outlook: some see it as exhausting, others as character-building.
2. Vancouver, British Columbia
If Toronto is the center of Canadian business, Vancouver leans into lifestyle and service. Tourism here is enormous, which trickles down into jobs in hotels, event management, outdoor recreation companies, and countless restaurants that thrive on the steady stream of international visitors. For students at the University of British Columbia or Simon Fraser University, this means steady part-time options—especially in summer, when tourists arrive in droves.
The city’s diverse population may also work in students’ favor. Employers appear more open to international workers who bring multilingual skills, particularly in neighborhoods with strong immigrant communities. A Korean-speaking student might find work at a language academy, while someone fluent in Mandarin might help in businesses catering to Chinese tourists or residents.
That said, the challenge of Vancouver is familiar: cost. Rent, groceries, even transit feel inflated compared to much of Canada. A part-time retail wage may not go far when you’re paying more than $1,000 for a shared room. The flipside, though, is quality of life. A quick weekend trip to the mountains or beaches can feel like a reward for the long hours you put in at work and school.
3. Montreal, Quebec
Montreal has a different character altogether. Jobs exist in abundance, but they often come with an unspoken condition: French skills. For students who can speak the language—or who are willing to learn—Montreal is arguably one of the best cities in Canada to combine work and study. For those who only speak English, however, the job hunt can feel more limited.
Hospitality, customer service, and retail are common entry points for students, and Montreal’s nightlife and café culture offer plenty of opportunities. Tech and gaming industries also have a strong presence here, which may appeal to students in computer science or design. Companies like Ubisoft Montreal sometimes recruit interns, though those roles are typically more competitive.
The cost of living makes Montreal particularly attractive. Compared to Toronto or Vancouver, rent is significantly lower, which means a part-time income goes further. It’s not unusual for a student to pay half of what they’d be spending in Toronto for a similar apartment. The trade-off is that wages are also a bit lower. Still, many international students find the balance worth it, especially since the city is culturally rich and buzzing with affordable art, food, and music.
4. Calgary, Alberta
Calgary doesn’t always come up in conversations about student destinations, but maybe it should. Known for its energy industry, the city also has a growing tech sector and a vibrant downtown that needs workers in hospitality, retail, and administration. For students at the University of Calgary or Mount Royal University, job opportunities may feel more accessible here than in bigger, busier cities.
One factor that works in Calgary’s favor is wages. Alberta has traditionally offered higher minimum wages compared to some provinces, and employers in industries like construction, oil, and logistics sometimes pay above average for student-friendly positions. International students who are comfortable with physical work—warehouse roles, landscaping, even seasonal positions—may find good short-term opportunities here.
On the downside, Calgary’s cost of living has been creeping upward. Rent, once considered affordable, is rising quickly. The job market is less saturated than Toronto’s or Vancouver’s, but that also means fewer industries to choose from if you’re aiming for career-related part-time work. If your long-term plan is in finance, for example, Calgary may not match Toronto’s scale. But if you want a mix of solid wages, manageable city size, and a chance to save, it’s worth serious consideration.
5. Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa sometimes gets overshadowed by its louder neighbors—Toronto and Montreal—but as the nation’s capital, it offers its own unique student job market. The presence of federal government offices translates into a steady stream of administrative and clerical work, some of which is accessible to students, especially those in political science, public administration, or law.
Beyond government, Ottawa has a surprisingly healthy tech scene, sometimes called “Silicon Valley North,” which creates internship and co-op opportunities for students in engineering or IT. The city also has its fair share of part-time jobs in retail, food service, and hospitality, particularly in areas around ByWard Market, where tourists and locals mingle.
One advantage of Ottawa is its bilingual nature. English-only students can manage here, but French skills increase opportunities substantially, particularly in government and customer-facing roles. The cost of living sits somewhere in the middle—not as steep as Toronto, not as affordable as Montreal. Still, it remains a city where a student can balance part-time work with studies without feeling constantly stretched.
Things Students Should Keep in Mind
While these five cities often rise to the top in conversations about student job opportunities, it’s worth pointing out that no place is perfect. A city that feels like a goldmine for one student may seem overwhelming or limiting to another. Factors such as language skills, program requirements, and personal lifestyle preferences all shape the experience.
It also matters what kind of work you’re looking for. If you want quick income with flexible hours, Toronto and Vancouver’s retail and service sectors might suit you. If you want to maximize savings, Calgary might be a better bet. For culture and lower costs, Montreal remains appealing, provided you’re willing to tackle French. Ottawa lands somewhere in between, offering government-related work alongside student-friendly gigs in hospitality.
Students should also be mindful of Canadian work regulations. International students can work off-campus during their studies, but usually only up to a set number of hours per week during the academic term. It’s tempting to overcommit, but keeping balance is essential. Employers sometimes understand this; sometimes, less so. Learning how to set boundaries—saying no to a shift before an exam week, for instance—may be as important as the paycheck itself.
Final Thoughts
Studying abroad in Canada isn’t cheap, and for most international students, part-time jobs aren’t optional—they’re essential. Where you choose to study can influence not just your education but also your ability to support yourself while you’re here. Toronto’s abundance of jobs, Vancouver’s tourist-driven economy, Montreal’s affordability, Calgary’s solid wages, and Ottawa’s government presence each highlight different pathways for students to earn money and gain experience.
But the “best” city depends less on general rankings and more on personal fit. Some students thrive in Toronto’s fast-paced environment, while others might find peace of mind in Ottawa’s calmer rhythm. Ultimately, the opportunity lies not only in the jobs you land but also in the skills, resilience, and connections you build along the way.