Working in Canada vs the USA Advantages and Disadvantages
Canada and the US are both great options for finding better work opportunities. Although both are recognized for job prospects, economic development, and quality of life, you won’t know unless you visit.
But what if we told you, we could help you make a decision without having to spend time and thousands on tourist visits to both countries?
So, let’s begin!
Is It Easier to Get a Work Permit in Canada or the USA?
Table of Contents
Both nations provide lots of options to get a work visa, but Canada offers over 80 immigration programs, with most pathways created for qualified foreign workers to easily enter the country.
It won’t be difficult for you to acquire the requirements needed to pass Canada’s work application either, such as an LMIA or job offer, as Canada has over a million job vacancies to date!
Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in the USA
For most people who wish to further their career and improve their future, the first country that comes to mind is the USA. Why? Because it holds a multitude of benefits for immigrant workers worldwide! To give you a better understanding of what you can expect when it comes to working in the USA, we’ve listed some notable pros and cons!
Advantages
- High salaries
- Good company healthcare benefits
- Low tax rates
- Generous equity grants
- High-paying pension plans
Disadvantages
- Non-paid travel expenses and experiences
- Frequent over-time working hours
- Filing a tax return is difficult and a pain
Advantages and Disadvantages of Working in the Canada
Canada is a popular destination for foreign workers looking for a better life, not only because of its high wages but because of the good quality of life it offers for immigrants! Interested in learning more about the positives and negatives of the country? Here are some reasons:
Advantages
- Multi-cultural and immigrant-friendly work environments
- Generous employee benefits, such as: free Healthcare insurance, gym-memberships, and long vacation leaves
- Implementation of a 4-day work week (not for all companies, but for some.)
- Paid travel expenses and experiences
- Paid maternal and paternal-leave benefits
Disadvantages
- Working in a rural province may be difficult for immigrants who don’t have their own car.
- Winters may be harsh on workers who commute
Want to know the advantages and disadvantages of immigrating to Canada vs the USA? Click to read our Immigration to Canada vs the USA guide.
Salary Differences: Canada vs USA
Both Canada and the USA provide high-salaries and great benefits for immigrant workers! But which out of the two has the highest average salary of all? Check this easy chart we’ve made for you below to spot the difference! 😉
Top 5 In-demand Jobs in Canada and USA & Their Average Salaries
- Accounting Manager – $78,000 – $170,000 CAD per year
- IT Worker – $50,000 – $98,000 CAD per year
- Marketing Manager – $55,048 – $103,482 CAD per year
- Registered Nurse – $70,717 – $90,216 CAD per year
- Driver – $49,766 – $60,000 CAD per year
- Software Developer – $51,000 – $110,000 USD per year
- Information Security Analyst – $60,000 – $140,000 USD per year
- Welder – $40,000 – $70,000 USD per year
- Translator – $30,000 – 62,000 USD per year
- Registered Nurse – $52,000 – $82,000 USD per year
Why Do Immigrants Choose to Work in Canada over the USA?
While the country’s open immigration policy and welcoming workplace environment are important factors in attracting foreign workers, another important reason why immigrants choose to work in Canada vs the USA is due to the country’s 13 provinces and territories experiencing significant shortages in high-demand occupations, making it easier than ever for qualified workers to immigrate and fill these positions.
5 Easy Steps to Applying for a Canadian Work Permit
If and when you’ve made up your mind to work in Canada, here are some fast and easy to follow steps on how to apply for a work permit:
💻 Step 1: Apply for a job through Canada's Job Bank, in-person, or online job search sites.
👔 Step 2: Get hired by a Canadian employer and receive an LMIA/job offer.
📝 Step 3: Apply for a work permit through any of Canada's immigration programs.
📩 Step 4: Submit your application along with your job offer and LMIA (if needed).
🍁 Step 5: Receive your work permit and book your one-way ticket to the great white north.
Would you like to know more about this? Click to read our full guide to Canadian work visas and permits.
Having learned more about the distinctions between working in Canada vs the USA, the time has come for you to make a decision! If you do choose to work in Canada, we’ll be more than happy to assist you from start to finish throughout your working in Canada process this year. Wishing you the best of luck!
