Know your worth as an English teacher in Canada
- English teacher salaries in Canada are stable and competitive, especially in public schools where wages increase predictably with experience and qualifications.
- Earnings vary by role and setting, with public school teachers earning annual salaries, while language school instructors, online teachers, and private English tutors are typically paid hourly.
- Experience, education, and location significantly affect salary, with higher wages in provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.
- Benefits and long-term compensation matter, as pensions and health coverage substantially increase the overall value of a Canadian English teacher’s compensation.
Teaching English in Canada can be an exciting occupation considering the country's unique position in the areas of education, immigration, and global communication. English teachers support students across elementary school, secondary, and adult education settings, helping learners build literacy, academic language, and communication skills essential for success in school, work, and society.
Within Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, English teachers fall under recognized occupational classifications related to elementary and secondary education, as well as second language instruction. This formal classification affects employment, wages, credential recognition, and immigration pathways, making English teaching a clearly defined and respected profession.
Demand is growing for online lessons, private tutoring, and international English teaching jobs. And yet, both Canadian and internationally trained educators wonder, how much can I earn teaching English in Canada? What factors impact salary? What are the differences in wages and job conditions of public schools, private schools, and independent teaching?
This article explains how wages, job conditions, and career growth differ across the profession, offering clear guidance grounded in Canada’s education and occupational frameworks.
English is one of Canada's official languages, so it should be no surprise that the country needs qualified and expert English teachers to support its multilingual population.
Average Salary of English Teachers in Canada
Across Canada, English teachers earn wages that reflect their education level, experience, and occupational classification. According to federal labour data aligned with the NOC (National Occupational Classification), English teachers working in public schools earn an average annual wage between:
- $65,000 and $105,000+ per year
- Entry-level teachers: $50,000–$60,000
Teachers working outside the public system in language schools, colleges, or second language programs are typically paid hourly:
- $25–$45 per hour in language schools
- $30–$80 per hour as a private English tutor
- $20–$60 per hour in online teaching jobs
Occupation: English teacher (education sector)
Classification: National Occupational Classification (NOC)
Employment outlook: Stable to strong
Wage growth: Increases annually in public systems
Factors Influencing English Teacher Wages in Canada
Experience Level
Experience plays a central role in wage growth for English teachers: the longer you have been teaching, the more money you will make. In public elementary school and secondary school systems, salaries increase each year according to provincial pay grids.
- New teachers begin at lower, entry level wages
- Annual increments are standard and typically negotiated by unions
- Long-term employment leads to predictable salary growth
Keep in mind that your years of experienced will be calculated based on the years you have spent working in a given school board, and your years of teaching in other settings may not be counted. In private and second language teaching, experience allows teachers to command higher hourly wages and access more specialized roles.
One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.
Malala Yousafzai
The qualification of teachers is another very important factor that can determine the salary expectation of an English teacher in Canada.
Educational Qualifications
The education level you bring into your role is directly tied to earning potential. Most English teachers in Canada hold a bachelor’s degree, a Bachelor of Education, and additional training in English, literacy, or second language instruction.
Teachers with graduate degrees and additional professional learning credentials often earn higher wages and qualify for leadership or specialized positions. Check with the school boards you are considering working in to find more information.
Geographic Location
Wages vary by province due to funding structures, labour demand, and cost of living. Where the demand for teachers is higher, such as remote areas like the Yukon, you may find that the salary is higher, particularly in the context of living costs.
In general, Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta offer the highest average wages but also the highest cost of living. Smaller provinces may offer lower wages but better affordability. Urban regions historically provide more job opportunities, but this trend shifts depending on population patterns.
Online teaching reduces geographic wage differences, allowing teachers to work remotely, but these positions are increasingly less available in public school boards.
Type of Institution
English teachers can work across multiple education settings, each with different wage structures. Let's compare the differences.
Public School Boards
- Unionized employment
- Defined salary grids
- Strong benefits and pensions
Language Schools
- Hourly employment
- Short-term contracts
- Limited benefits
Private Tutoring
- Flexible work
- Variable income
- Higher hourly potential for experienced teachers
Salary Expectations by Province and Territory
Salary expectations for English teachers in Canada are shaped by provincial education funding models, collective bargaining agreements, and regional cost-of-living factors. Because education falls under provincial jurisdiction, wages are negotiated separately in each province and territory, resulting in noticeable differences across the country.
The following table outlines average wages for English teachers based on provincial agreements and NOC-aligned labour data.:
| Teaching Role | Typical Work Setting | Wage Range | Annual Salary (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (English / Language Arts) | Public elementary schools | $30–$55/hour | $55,000–$95,000 |
| Secondary School English Teacher | Public secondary schools | $32–$58/hour | $60,000–$105,000+ |
| ESL / Second Language Teacher | Language schools, adult programs | $25–$45/hour | $45,000–$80,000 |
| College or Adult Education English Instructor | Colleges, continuing education | $35–$65/hour | $60,000–$100,000 |
| Private English Tutor | Private / self-employed | $30–$80/hour | Varies by workload |
| Online English Teacher | Online platforms / remote | $20–$60/hour | Varies by demand |
It is also important to note that teachers working online or in non-school settings may experience less regional wage variation. Online English teaching and private tutoring allow educators to work across provincial boundaries, reducing the impact of local salary scales. As a result, salary expectations should always be considered alongside employment type, lifestyle preferences, and long-term career goals—not wages alone.
Additional Benefits and Perks
When you are considering how much English teachers in Canada actually earn, it is essential to look beyond base wage or salary figures. Teaching is a regulated occupation within the Canadian education system, and compensation is intentionally designed to include both monetary and non-monetary benefits that support long-term career sustainability.
These benefits are particularly significant in public elementary and secondary school employment, where collective agreements govern working conditions.
For example, health and dental insurance, pension contributions, and paid leave substantially increase the real value of a teacher’s compensation package. Pension plans, common for public school teachers, offer long-term financial security that is rarely available in private sector jobs. Over the course of a teaching career, pension benefits alone can represent hundreds of thousands of dollars in deferred compensation.
See the right skills needed to become an English teacher quickly.
Professional development is another key, though often overlooked, benefit. Many Canadian school boards fund additional qualifications, graduate coursework, and professional learning days, allowing English teachers to continuously learn and refine their practice without bearing the full cost themselves. This ongoing investment supports both teacher effectiveness and wage progression over time.
There are other, non-monetary benefits that also play a major role in job satisfaction. These include:
Knowing exactly when your day starts and ends at work is a huge bonus for work-life balance. You will find that it is much easier to plan for famly responsibilities, hobbies, and a social life.
As. teacher, you will get the same holidays as students! This often includies 2 weeks holiday in winter, March Break, and incredibly long summer holidays.
As an educator, you will start to know exactly what your responsibilities are since they are defined by collective agreements and the pre-defined workflow of a teacher. If you teach the same grade or courses over multiple years or sessions, you can use the same plans and content.
Career Advancement Opportunities
English teaching in Canada is not a static career - it offers multiple pathways for advancement, specialization, and employment growth across the education sector. As you gain experience and additional credentials, you can move into roles that carry greater responsibility and higher wages, while still remaining connected to classroom practice.
Within elementary and secondary schools, experienced English teachers may advance into leadership positions such as department heads, literacy leads or coaches, or central positions. These roles recognize instructional expertise and often include additional allowances or salary adjustments.
Teachers who demonstrate strong assessment practices, curriculum knowledge, and mentorship skills are especially well-positioned for these opportunities.
Some teachers transition into administrative roles, including vice-principal, principal, or board-level consultant positions. These roles involve broader oversight of curriculum, staffing, and school improvement initiatives and are typically associated with higher salary ranges within the education system.
Employment growth also exists outside traditional schools. Teachers with expertise in second language education, adult learning, or teacher training may find opportunities in colleges, settlement agencies, or professional education programs. Others expand into online course development, instructional coaching, or educational consulting, allowing them to leverage their teaching background in new and flexible ways. These varied pathways ensure that English teaching remains a dynamic occupation with long-term growth potential.
Additional Benefits of Teaching English in Canada
Adaptability
English is spoken by 1.35 billion people worldwide, which is about 17% of the world's population, so for most countries in the world, there is a high chance of finding an English speaker there.
However, despite the high percentage of people speaking English worldwide, the people who cannot speak the language and those who wish to learn are still much, so the need for English teachers cannot be overemphasized.
Hence, one of the major benefits of being an English teacher is that the language is recognized worldwide; you can teach English anywhere and use your English teaching experience to work anywhere.
Valuable Work Experience
Teaching English as a native or foreign language may not be related to your degree program. Still, the experience gained will be valuable for any career you choose.
Teaching English as a foreign language shows your ability to learn, adapt and appreciate others, while teaching itself will help you build leadership, and communication skills. So you see that teaching English at any level will prepare you to work in different fields and specialties.
Work From Home Options
As an English teacher, you have the option of teaching English from home to native or non-native English speakers, and you will not even have to relocate.
You can boost your income by teaching English online through Superprof. Teaching and promoting your services through Superprof allows you to connect directly with students seeking personalized learning support. The platform makes it easy for you to showcase your experience, set your own rates, and offer lessons online or in person.
For English teachers in Canada, Superprof is a flexible way to build visibility, attract motivated learners, and supplement school-based income while maintaining control over scheduling, lesson design, and professional focus.
See how long it may take to become an English teacher.
References
- Government of Canada. National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021: Elementary and Secondary School Teachers. Statistics Canada, www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p3VD.pl?CLV=4&CPV=4122&CST=01052021&CVD=1322706. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.
- Government of Canada. Wages: English as a Second Language Teachers. Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.
- Government of Canada. Wages: Secondary School Teachers. Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada. Accessed 29 Dec. 2025.
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