Working in Toronto – Job Market, Salaries, Professions, How to Search (2026)

Toronto Job Market – Overview

Toronto is Canada's largest city and financial-business center:

• ~3 million people in the city, 6.5M in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area)
• Center of Canadian banking (Bay Street)
• Tech hub (Microsoft, Google, Amazon offices)
• Educational hub (University of Toronto, York, Ryerson)
• Healthcare, education, government – major employers

Polonia in Toronto

• ~250,000 people of Polish descent in the GTA
• Center: Roncesvalles Avenue (Polish district)
• Mississauga, Brampton, Etobicoke – suburban Polish presence
• Active Polish American Congress, Polish churches, shops

Salaries 2026 (CAD)

Sector	Entry-level	Average	Senior
Minimum wage (ON)	$17.20/h	–	–
Construction (skilled)	$25-35/h	$40-55/h	$55-75/h
Truck driver (AZ class)	$22-28/h	$28-35/h	$35-45/h
Healthcare (PSW)	$20-25/h	$25-30/h	$30-35/h
Healthcare (RN nurse)	$33-40/h	$40-50/h	$50-65/h
IT entry / dev	$50-70k	$80-110k	$120-180k
IT senior dev	$80-100k	$110-150k	$160-250k
Finance analyst	$55-75k	$75-110k	$120-200k
Marketing manager	$55-75k	$75-105k	$105-140k
Teacher	$50-65k	$70-95k	$95-110k
Restaurant cook	$17-22/h	$22-28/h	$28-40/h
Cleaner	$17-22/h	$22-28/h	–

SIN – Social Insurance Number

CRUCIAL first step upon arrival.

Who can apply

• Canadian citizens
• Permanent residents (PR)
• Temporary workers (with work permit)
• International students (with work-eligible study permit)

Procedure

1. Go to Service Canada within 30 days of arrival
2. Documents:
   • Polish passport
   • Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) or work permit
   • Proof of address in Canada
3. SIN will be issued on the spot (same day)
4. FREE

SIN starting with "9"

Temporary workers receive a SIN starting with "9" – temporary status. Convert to permanent SIN after PR.

Most Popular Industries for Poles

Construction

Toronto's construction boom is perpetual. Poles are very popular:

• Framers, drywallers, painters
• Plumbers, electricians (need licensing)
• HVAC technicians
• General contractors
• Construction managers

Many Polish construction firms in the GTA. Average $30-50/h for experienced workers.

Transport / Trucking

Truck driver shortage = good opportunities. Polish drivers are respected.

• AZ class license needed (heavy combination)
• Local: $50-75k/year
• Long-haul: $75-110k+ (over US too)
• Owner-operator: $90k-150k+ potential
• Polish trucking companies in Brampton, Mississauga

Healthcare

• PSW (Personal Support Worker) – entry-level, $20-30/h
• RPN (Registered Practical Nurse) – $25-40/h
• RN (Registered Nurse) – $35-55/h
• Physicians, specialists – pension salaries

Polish nurses sometimes need re-licensing (College of Nurses of Ontario).

IT

• Junior dev: $60-80k
• Mid: $85-120k
• Senior: $120-180k
• Staff/Principal: $180-250k
• FAANG +30-50% premium
• Growing Polish-Canadian community in tech

Finance / Banking

• Bay Street (financial district)
• Big 5 banks (RBC, TD, Scotia, BMO, CIBC)
• Analyst $60-85k entry
• Manager $100-150k
• Director $150-250k

Restaurants, Gastronomy

• Cook: $17-30/h
• Server: $17-22/h + tips ($25-50/h equivalent)
• Bartender: $17-25/h + tips
• Restaurant manager: $50-75k

Cleaning, Home Care

• Solo cleaner: $25-40/h cash, $20-30 W4 (employed)
• Cleaning business owner: $60-150k+ depending on scale
• Nanny: $17-25/h

How to Search for Jobs

Online Job Boards

• Indeed.ca – largest
• LinkedIn – networking + jobs
• Workopolis
• Glassdoor – with reviews salary
• Job Bank Canada – federal
• Monster
• SimplyHired

Polish-Focused Resources

• Facebook Polish groups: "Polacy w Toronto", "Polonia Toronto", "Praca dla Polaków w Toronto"
• Polski Express newspaper – classifieds
• polonia.ca
• kraj.pl – Polish-Canadian portal
• Polski Kościół Roncesvalles – community board
• Polish employment agencies: Edge Personnel, Pomoc Polska, Aspire Personnel

Networking

• Polish American Congress events
• Polish business associations
• Polish community churches
• Polish Saturday schools (parents)
• LinkedIn with Polish community network

Recruitment Agencies

• Robert Half (finance, IT)
• Hays
• Randstad
• Aerotek (industrial, construction)
• Polish-focused agencies in the GTA

Credentials – Polish Qualifications in Canada

Sectors Requiring Credentialing

• Medical doctors – Medical Council of Canada exams (3-5 years re-credentialing)
• Nurses – National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) + College of Nurses Ontario
• Engineers – Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO)
• Lawyers – Law Society of Ontario (NCA exams)
• Accountants (CPA) – CPA Ontario
• Architects – Ontario Association of Architects
• Pharmacists – College of Pharmacists
• Teachers – Ontario College of Teachers

Sectors Without Credentialing

• Trades (large but some need certification)
• IT
• Finance (non-CPA roles)
• Marketing, sales
• Hospitality
• Cleaning, services

WES – World Education Services

Evaluates Polish credentials in Canada:

• WES Equivalency report
• Shows what Polish degree corresponds to in Canada
• Required for many jobs, immigration, education
• Cost: $220 CAD typically

Work Permits for Polish Citizens

Permanent Resident (PR)

Best option – full access to the job market. Path through:

• Express Entry
• Provincial Nominee Program
• Family sponsorship

Work Permit (Temporary)

• Closed work permit – specific employer
• Open work permit – any employer (spouses, IEC, etc.)

International Experience Canada (IEC)

Polish citizens aged 18-35 eligible:

• Working Holiday – 12 months open work permit
• Young Professionals – 12-24 months closed work permit
• International Co-op – 12 months for students

Polish Students

With a study permit, you can work 20 hours/week during the semester, full-time during holidays.

Tax Basics for Employees

Federal + Provincial Tax

• Federal rates: 15% (up to $57k), 20.5% ($57-114k), 26% ($114-178k), 29% ($178-253k), 33% above
• Ontario provincial: 5.05% (up to $52k), 9.15%, 11.16%, 12.16%, 13.16%
• Combined top: ~53.5%
• Personal Basic Amount $15,705 (2024) – tax-free

CPP + EI

• CPP (Canada Pension Plan): 5.95% to $68,500 (2024)
• EI (Employment Insurance): 1.66% to $63,200

Polish Businesses / District

Roncesvalles Avenue

Historic Polish district in downtown Toronto. Polish shops, restaurants, church, bars.

Mississauga / Brampton

Modern Polish hub. Polish businesses spread out. Polish church in Mississauga.

Etobicoke

Polish community, church. Close to downtown.

Practical Tips

• SIN first step within 30 days
• WES evaluation for Polish degrees
• Indeed + LinkedIn primarily
• Polish Facebook groups for niche jobs
• Roncesvalles, Mississauga for Polish community
• Polish churches – networking
• Construction, trucking – strong Polish niche
• Healthcare – re-credentialing needed
• IT – open to skilled Polish workers
• Express Entry for immigration if not yet PR
• IEC Working Holiday for ages 18-35
• Tax: ~30% all-in for average earners
• CPP + EI contributions mandatory