Canada and the United States remain attractive destinations for experienced international professionals seeking higher salaries, career development and long-term immigration opportunities.
Across technology, healthcare, engineering, finance, construction, energy and professional services, some roles can pay more than CAD $90,000 annually in Canada or USD $90,000 annually in the United States.
However, applicants should understand that a high salary does not automatically mean an employer will provide immigration support. Visa sponsorship depends on the employer, occupation, qualifications, labour-market requirements and immigration category available to the applicant.
This guide explains the types of jobs that may pay above $90,000, the sponsorship routes commonly used in both countries and how foreign workers can prepare competitive applications.
Important: The two countries use different currencies. Salary figures for Canadian jobs are stated in Canadian dollars, while figures for American jobs are stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Why Canada and the USA Recruit International Workers
Employers in both countries recruit internationally when they cannot find enough qualified local candidates or when applicants possess specialised skills that are difficult to source domestically.
Demand is often strongest in:
- Software development and cloud computing
- Cybersecurity
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- Artificial intelligence and data science
- Skilled technical management
- Construction project management
- Finance and risk management
- Scientific research
- Advanced manufacturing
Canada generally uses employer-specific work permits, Labour Market Impact Assessments and LMIA-exempt programmes to bring in foreign workers. Most Canadian employers need an LMIA before hiring a temporary foreign worker unless an exemption applies or the worker already holds an open work permit.
In the United States, one of the best-known routes is the H-1B programme for specialty occupations. USCIS describes H-1B roles as positions requiring specialised knowledge, commonly in fields such as engineering, mathematics, architecture, science, medicine and technology.
High-Paying Jobs in Canada and the USA
The salary ranges below are broad estimates. Actual earnings depend on experience, location, qualifications, employer and seniority.
1. Software Developer
Software development remains one of the strongest career options for international professionals.
Common areas of specialisation include:
- Full-stack development
- Mobile application development
- Cloud-native applications
- Enterprise software
- DevOps
- Embedded systems
- Artificial intelligence
- Financial technology
- Cybersecurity engineering
In Canada, Job Bank reports that computer software engineers generally earn between approximately CAD $35 and CAD $91.35 per hour, depending on region and experience. Current job postings can also exceed CAD $100,000, with some specialised roles offering substantially more.
In the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a mean annual wage of approximately USD $138,110 for software developers in its May 2023 occupational estimates.
Typical qualifications
Employers may request:
- A degree in computer science, software engineering or a related field
- Strong programming skills
- Experience with cloud platforms
- Knowledge of databases and system design
- A portfolio or GitHub profile
- Experience working on production systems
- Strong communication and problem-solving abilities
A degree may be particularly important when the employer intends to sponsor an H-1B petition because the position must qualify as a specialty occupation.
2. Cybersecurity Specialist
Organisations in banking, healthcare, government, insurance, retail and technology need specialists who can protect systems and sensitive information.
High-paying roles include:
- Security engineer
- Cloud-security architect
- Penetration tester
- Security operations manager
- Incident-response specialist
- Governance and compliance manager
- Identity and access management engineer
- Information-security consultant
Senior cybersecurity professionals can exceed $90,000 in both countries, especially when they hold recognised certifications and practical experience.
Useful credentials may include:
- CISSP
- CISM
- OSCP
- CCSP
- CompTIA Security+
- GIAC certifications
- Microsoft or AWS security credentials
Certifications help, but employers normally place greater value on proven experience managing real security risks.
3. Registered Nurse and Advanced Healthcare Professional
Healthcare is another area where qualified international professionals may find employer-supported opportunities.
In the United States, registered nurses had an annual mean wage of USD $101,420 in May 2025, although pay varied considerably by state. The BLS reported averages of roughly $77,000 in some states and more than $150,000 in California.
High-paying healthcare positions may include:
- Registered nurse
- Nurse practitioner
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Nurse manager
- Physician assistant
- Pharmacist
- Physical therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Medical laboratory manager
- Healthcare administrator
In Canada, senior nurses, nurse practitioners, healthcare managers and some specialised allied-health professionals may earn more than CAD $90,000, depending on province, overtime, union agreements and seniority.
Foreign-trained healthcare workers normally need professional licensing before practising independently.
Common requirements
These may include:
- Credential assessment
- Provincial or state licensing
- Professional examinations
- English-language testing
- Criminal-record checks
- Clinical experience
- Employer references
- Health and vaccination records
Applicants should verify licensing requirements before spending money on relocation or immigration services.
4. Data Scientist and Artificial Intelligence Engineer
Companies use artificial intelligence and advanced analytics for financial modelling, marketing, healthcare, manufacturing, cybersecurity and automation.
High-paying positions include:
- Data scientist
- Machine-learning engineer
- AI engineer
- Data engineer
- MLOps engineer
- Business-intelligence architect
- Quantitative analyst
- Natural-language-processing engineer
- Computer-vision specialist
Employers may look for experience with:
- Python
- SQL
- TensorFlow
- PyTorch
- Cloud data platforms
- Statistical modelling
- Large-language-model development
- Data pipelines
- Model deployment
- Business analytics
Advanced technical experience can produce salaries well above $90,000, especially in major technology centres.
5. Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers are employed in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive production, energy, mining, building systems and industrial maintenance.
Potential high-paying roles include:
- Senior mechanical engineer
- Reliability engineer
- Manufacturing engineer
- Maintenance manager
- Aerospace engineer
- Mechanical design lead
- Plant engineer
- Project engineer
- Robotics engineer
Employers may prefer candidates with:
- A recognised engineering degree
- Professional engineering registration or eligibility
- CAD and simulation experience
- Knowledge of safety standards
- Project-management experience
- Manufacturing or plant experience
- Strong technical documentation skills
Engineering licences are regulated separately by Canadian provinces and U.S. states. Not every engineering job requires a professional licence, but positions involving public sign-off usually do.
6. Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers may work in power systems, automation, renewable energy, electronics, telecommunications, construction and semiconductor manufacturing.
Specialised roles that may exceed $90,000 include:
- Electrical project manager
- Power-systems engineer
- Controls engineer
- Automation engineer
- Embedded-systems engineer
- Semiconductor engineer
- Renewable-energy engineer
- Protection and controls specialist
- Electrical engineering manager
International applicants with experience in advanced manufacturing, energy infrastructure or industrial automation may be particularly competitive.
7. Civil Engineer and Construction Project Manager
Canada and the United States continue to invest in residential construction, commercial development, roads, transit, utilities and major infrastructure.
High-paying roles may include:
- Senior civil engineer
- Construction project manager
- Structural engineer
- Infrastructure project manager
- Cost estimator
- Quantity surveyor
- Site superintendent
- Transportation engineer
- Contracts manager
A Canadian Job Bank wage report for one region showed civil-engineering wages reaching more than CAD $66 per hour at the high end, demonstrating that experienced engineers can surpass CAD $90,000 annually.
Employers commonly request:
- A civil-engineering or construction qualification
- Experience managing budgets and schedules
- Familiarity with building codes
- Contract-administration experience
- Health-and-safety knowledge
- Project-management software skills
- Strong leadership ability
8. Financial Manager
Financial managers oversee budgets, reporting, investments, financial risk, audits and corporate strategy.
High-paying positions include:
- Financial controller
- Finance manager
- Risk manager
- Treasury manager
- Internal-audit manager
- Tax manager
- Compliance manager
- Investment analyst
- Corporate-finance manager
Canadian wage data for financial managers can reach well above CAD $90,000, with some regional hourly rates exceeding CAD $90 at the high end.
Professional credentials may include:
- CPA
- CFA
- ACCA
- FRM
- MBA
- Internal-audit certifications
Foreign qualifications may need assessment, and regulated accounting work may require local certification.
9. Product Manager
Product managers guide the strategy, development and commercial success of products and services.
They commonly work in:
- Technology
- Financial services
- Healthcare
- Telecommunications
- E-commerce
- Software
- Manufacturing
- Insurance
Senior product managers frequently earn above $90,000 when they have experience launching products, managing teams and generating measurable revenue growth.
Applicants should highlight results such as:
- Increased customer retention
- Successful product launches
- Revenue growth
- Improved user engagement
- Market expansion
- Reduced operating costs
- Cross-functional leadership
10. Engineering and Technology Project Manager
Senior project managers can earn more than $90,000 in both Canada and the United States.
Typical sectors include:
- Information technology
- Construction
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- Energy
- Telecommunications
- Manufacturing
- Government contracting
Useful certifications include:
- PMP
- PRINCE2
- Scrum Master
- Agile certifications
- Lean Six Sigma
- Construction-management credentials
Employers will expect evidence that the applicant can control scope, budget, quality, risk and timelines.
11. Cloud Architect
Cloud architects design and manage large-scale cloud infrastructure.
Skills commonly requested include:
- AWS
- Microsoft Azure
- Google Cloud
- Kubernetes
- Docker
- Terraform
- Identity management
- Cloud security
- High-availability architecture
- Disaster recovery
- DevOps practices
Senior cloud architects can earn far above $90,000 because of the level of responsibility and scarcity of expertise.
12. Sales Engineer and Enterprise Account Executive
Experienced technical sales professionals may earn high base salaries plus commissions.
Common sectors include:
- Software
- Cybersecurity
- Medical devices
- Industrial equipment
- Telecommunications
- Cloud services
- Financial technology
Compensation may exceed $90,000 when commissions and performance bonuses are included.
Applicants need:
- Strong communication skills
- Industry knowledge
- Client-management experience
- Technical understanding
- Negotiation skills
- Evidence of sales performance
Visa Sponsorship in Canada
In Canada, an employer-specific work permit restricts the worker to the conditions listed on the permit, including the named employer, occupation and sometimes work location.
Labour Market Impact Assessment
Many employers must obtain a positive LMIA before hiring a foreign worker.
A positive LMIA indicates that hiring the foreign worker is expected to have a positive or neutral effect on Canada’s labour market.
The employer normally needs to:
- Advertise the position
- Demonstrate recruitment efforts
- Offer appropriate wages
- Meet programme requirements
- Submit the LMIA application
- Pay the applicable employer fees
The worker then uses the job offer and LMIA information to apply for an employer-specific work permit.
LMIA-exempt work permits
Some positions may be exempt from the LMIA requirement under the International Mobility Program.
Exemptions can apply to certain:
- Intra-company transferees
- International agreements
- Francophone workers outside Quebec
- Significant-benefit applicants
- Researchers
- Reciprocal-employment situations
- Spouses and open-work-permit holders
Most employers still have compliance obligations, even when no LMIA is required.
Global Talent Stream
The Global Talent Stream may help eligible employers hire highly skilled technology and specialised workers more quickly.
It does not mean that every technology applicant automatically qualifies. The employer and position must meet programme requirements.
Permanent residence pathways
A sponsored Canadian job may later support permanent residence through:
- Express Entry
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Provincial Nominee Programs
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- Rural or community-based programmes
- Quebec immigration pathways
A job offer does not guarantee permanent residence, but Canadian work experience can strengthen some applications.
Visa Sponsorship in the United States
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
The H-1B programme allows U.S. employers to petition for foreign professionals in specialty occupations.
The role normally requires at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent specialised education in a directly related field.
H-1B occupations may include:
- Software development
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Mathematics
- Physical sciences
- Medicine
- Business specialties
- Education
- Research
Many private employers are subject to the annual H-1B cap and selection process. USCIS reported receiving hundreds of thousands of eligible registrations for fiscal year 2026, illustrating the competitiveness of the process.
Cap-exempt employers may include certain universities, affiliated nonprofit organisations and research institutions.
L-1 Intra-Company Transfer
The L-1 visa may allow an international company to transfer an executive, manager or employee with specialised knowledge to a related U.S. office.
Candidates generally need to have worked for the foreign organisation for the required period before the transfer.
O-1 Visa
The O-1 visa is available to individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in fields such as science, business, education, athletics or the arts.
It requires strong evidence of national or international recognition.
TN Status
Eligible Canadian and Mexican citizens may work in certain listed professional occupations under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
TN status is limited to specific professions and does not apply to applicants from other countries.
Employment-Based Permanent Residence
Some employers sponsor workers for permanent residence through categories such as:
- EB-1
- EB-2
- EB-2 National Interest Waiver
- EB-3
The appropriate route depends on the applicant’s education, experience, achievements and job offer.
Requirements for $90,000+ Sponsored Jobs
Candidates usually need several of the following:
- A relevant university degree or professional qualification
- Three or more years of specialised experience
- Technical or professional certifications
- Strong English communication
- Evidence of measurable achievements
- Professional licensing for regulated roles
- Leadership or project-management experience
- A clean, targeted résumé
- Strong references
- Willingness to relocate
Entry-level applicants can secure sponsored employment, but positions paying above $90,000 are more commonly offered to experienced candidates.
How to Prepare Your Résumé
Use a clear, achievement-focused résumé.
Include:
- Professional summary
- Core skills
- Employment history
- Education
- Certifications
- Technical tools
- Major projects
- Language abilities
- Location and relocation availability
Avoid generic descriptions.
Instead of writing:
Responsible for network security.
Write:
Implemented endpoint-security controls across 500 devices and reduced high-risk vulnerabilities by 40%.
Numbers help employers understand the value you can deliver.
How to Find Genuine Sponsorship Jobs
Search terms may include:
- “visa sponsorship jobs Canada”
- “LMIA jobs Canada”
- “foreign worker jobs Canada”
- “H-1B sponsorship software engineer”
- “USA jobs with visa sponsorship”
- “international nurse sponsorship USA”
- “engineering jobs with relocation assistance”
- “cloud architect visa sponsorship”
- “employer-sponsored healthcare jobs Canada”
- “cap-exempt H-1B jobs”
Use:
- Official employer career pages
- Canada’s Job Bank
- Provincial employment portals
- U.S. company career websites
- University and hospital career pages
- Reputable recruitment platforms
- Professional associations
- Government job portals
How to Identify a Genuine Employer
A credible employer should provide:
- A verifiable company website
- A formal job description
- A professional interview process
- Written employment terms
- A clear salary structure
- Official company contact details
- Transparent immigration assistance
- A legitimate employment contract
Be cautious when someone:
- Guarantees a visa
- Requests payment for a job offer
- Demands access to your bank account
- Uses only an unofficial messaging account
- Sends a contract without interviewing you
- Promises an unrealistic salary for an unskilled role
- Asks you to send money through cryptocurrency
- Refuses to identify the company
Legitimate immigration and employment processes involve documentation, eligibility checks and government review.
Benefits Employers May Offer
Depending on the role and employer, a relocation package may include:
- Visa-processing support
- Immigration-lawyer assistance
- Relocation allowance
- Temporary accommodation
- Airfare reimbursement
- Health insurance
- Retirement contributions
- Paid vacation
- Performance bonuses
- Professional-development funding
- Family-relocation support
- Licensing assistance
These benefits are not guaranteed. Applicants should obtain all promises in writing before accepting an offer.
Canada Versus the USA: Which Is Better?
Canada may appeal to workers who want:
- More direct pathways from temporary work to permanent residence
- Provincial immigration opportunities
- Public healthcare after meeting provincial eligibility requirements
- A structured skilled-immigration system
- Family-oriented settlement options
The United States may appeal to workers who want:
- Higher potential salaries in major industries
- Access to large technology and financial markets
- More specialised career opportunities
- Equity compensation
- Major research institutions
- Larger corporate employers
The best option depends on the profession, immigration eligibility, salary, family circumstances and long-term goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there really jobs paying more than $90,000 with visa sponsorship?
Yes. Experienced professionals in technology, healthcare, engineering, finance, management and scientific research may earn above $90,000. However, salary and sponsorship are not guaranteed.
Is $90,000 the same in Canada and the USA?
No. A Canadian salary is normally stated in Canadian dollars, while a U.S. salary is stated in U.S. dollars. The currencies have different values.
Can an employer guarantee my visa?
No. An employer can submit required documents or sponsor a petition, but the government makes the final decision.
Can I apply without a degree?
Possibly. Some Canadian work-permit routes support workers with recognised vocational qualifications and experience. Many U.S. H-1B positions normally require a related degree or equivalent specialised education.
Can nurses receive sponsorship?
Yes. Hospitals, long-term-care facilities and healthcare organisations sometimes recruit internationally, but candidates must complete licensing and immigration requirements.
Do Canadian employers always need an LMIA?
No. Many employers require one, but LMIA exemptions exist, and employers do not need an LMIA when hiring someone who already holds an eligible open work permit.
Does every H-1B applicant go through the lottery?
No. Some employers are cap-exempt. Cap-subject applicants normally participate in the registration and selection process when registrations exceed available visa numbers.
Can a sponsored job lead to permanent residence?
Potentially. Canadian work experience may support permanent-residence programmes, while U.S. employers can sponsor eligible workers through employment-based green-card categories. Neither process is automatic.
Final Thoughts
Jobs paying more than $90,000 are available in both Canada and the United States, particularly for experienced professionals in technology, engineering, healthcare, finance, construction management and specialised corporate roles.
The strongest applicants typically bring a combination of education, practical experience, professional certifications, measurable achievements and strong communication skills.
Visa sponsorship should be treated as a formal immigration process rather than an informal promise. In Canada, employers may need an LMIA or use an LMIA-exempt pathway. In the United States, employers may rely on H-1B, L-1, O-1 or employment-based permanent-residence categories.
Applicants should target positions that genuinely match their experience, verify employers carefully and use official government sources when reviewing immigration requirements.
With a focused résumé, relevant qualifications and a legitimate employer willing to complete the necessary process, a high-paying career in Canada or the United States may be achievable.
