Best Jobs in British Columbia (Living Wage Focus 2026)

British Columbia is the most desirable place to live in Canada. It also has the highest cost of living.

This creates a dangerous trap for workers. The provincial Minimum Wage is around $17.40/hr, but the calculated "Living Wage" (the amount you actually need to pay rent and buy food) in Metro Vancouver is now $27.85 per hour.

If you move to BC for a job paying $20/hr, you will slowly go bankrupt. The rent will eat you alive.

To survive the West Coast, you need to target specific industries that acknowledge the high cost of living and pay accordingly. You need to look at the Ocean, the Mountains, and the Movies.

Here are the best jobs in BC for 2026 that pay a true Living Wage.

1. Longshoreman (The "King" of BC Jobs)

Employer: ILWU (International Longshore and Warehouse Union)

Location: Port of Vancouver, Deltaport, Prince Rupert.

The Job: Loading and unloading the massive container ships that bring goods from Asia.

The Pay:

• Base Rate: $45.00 – $55.00 per hour.
• Overtime: Double time ($90/hr) is common. Senior longshoremen can earn **$150,000+ per year**.The Barrier: It is notoriously hard to get in.
• The Process: You start as a "Casual." You show up to the dispatch hall every morning at 6:00 AM and hope there is work. You might get 2 shifts a week. You have to "hang on" for 2-5 years until you get "Registered" status.
• Why do it? Once you are in, you have the highest blue-collar wage in Canada and a pension that is unmatched.

2. BC Ferries (Marine Staff)

Employer: BC Ferries

Location: Tsawwassen, Horseshoe Bay, Swartz Bay, Nanaimo.

The Job: Deckhand, Terminal Attendant, or Catering (working in the cafeteria on the boat).

The Pay: $28.00 – $34.00 per hour.

Why it wins:

• The Lifestyle: You work on the water. The views are incredible.
• The Schedule: Many crews work a "Watch" schedule (e.g., 4 days on, 4 days off).
• The Benefits: As a quasi-government agency, the benefits package includes a defined benefit pension and Free Ferry Travel for you and your family (a huge perk if you live on Vancouver Island).
• Related: This offers a similar stability to the Jobs with Pension Plans we will cover later.

3. Film Industry Crew (Hollywood North)

Employer: IATSE Local 891 / ACFC West

Location: Burnaby, North Vancouver, Langley.

The Job: Grip (Lighting), Set Decorator, Carpenter, Transport Driver.

The Pay: $32.00 – $42.00 per hour (plus meal penalties and overtime).

The Context: Vancouver is the 3rd largest film production center in North America (after LA and NYC). Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon film almost everything here.

The Hustle:

• It is gig work. You work 14 hours a day for 3 months, then have 2 weeks off.
• The Food: Craft Services ("Crafty") provides free gourmet food on set, which saves you $500/month on groceries.

4. Transit Operator (Coast Mountain Bus Company)

Employer: TransLink / CMBC

Location: Metro Vancouver.

The Job: Driving the city buses or the SeaBus.

The Pay:

• Training Rate: ~$28.00/hr.
• Full Rate: $37.00 – $40.00 per hour (after 2-3 years).Why it wins:
• Union Power: Unifor Local 111 is strong. They fight for cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).
• Overtime: Vancouver is chronically short of drivers. If you want to work your day off, you get 1.5x or 2x pay. It is very easy to hit $100k if you like driving.

5. Mining (Teck Resources)

Location: The Elk Valley (Sparwood, Fernie, Elkford).

The Job: Coal Mining (Steel-making coal).

The Pay: $42.00 – $52.00 per hour.

The Lifestyle:

• This is not "Fly-in." These are residential mines. You live in Fernie (a world-class ski town) and drive to the mine.
• Cost of Living Hack: Fernie is expensive, but Sparwood is affordable. You can earn a massive wage while living in the Rockies.
• Related: This is the BC equivalent of the Alberta Oil Jobs we just discussed, but with mountains instead of prairies.

6. Forestry & Tree Planting (The Summer Cash)

Location: Prince George, Kamloops, Vancouver Island.

The Job: Reforestation (Planting trees) or Logging Truck Driver.

The Pay: Piece Rate (Paid by the tree).

• Rookie: $200/day.
• Highballer (Pro): $500 - $700 per day.The Season: May to August.Why it fits: It is the ultimate student job. You live in a bush camp (low expenses) and can save $15,000 in a summer.
• Internal Link: A perfect fit for our Summer Jobs for Students guide.

7. High-Rise Construction (Concrete & Glazing)

Location: Burnaby (Brentwood), Surrey, Vancouver (Oakridge).

The Job: Forming, Rebar, or Glazing (installing glass on skyscrapers).

The Pay: $30.00 – $45.00 per hour.

The Boom: BC's government is mandating massive housing density near SkyTrain stations. This means high-rise construction will be booming for the next 15 years.

• The Danger: Working 40 stories up in the rain requires grit.

Comparison Table: Wage vs. Housing Cost

The "BC Tax" varies by region.

Practical Questions Answered

"Why is the 'Living Wage' so high?"

Housing.

• The Math: In Vancouver, you spend 50% of your income on rent. In other cities, it's 30%. That is the difference. To survive here, you need a roommate. Even making $28/hr, living alone is a luxury.

"Does it rain every day?"

In winter, yes.

• The Job Impact: If you work in Construction or Film, you will be wet from November to April. You need to invest in Gore-Tex gear. Employers usually provide rain gear, but buy your own high-quality boots.

"What is 'Island Time'?"

A slower pace.

• The Culture: If you move to Vancouver Island (Victoria/Nanaimo), people are more relaxed than in Toronto. However, jobs are scarcer. Secure employment before you take the ferry over.

"Is Tech hiring in Vancouver?"

Yes, but it's competitive.

• The Players: Amazon, Microsoft, and Lululemon have massive HQs here. They pay "Seattle wages" (adjusted for Canada), which are significantly higher than local startups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Foreign Buyer Tax?

Yes.

If you are not a Permanent Resident or Citizen, you pay a 20% tax on buying property in major areas. This forces most newcomers to rent for years before buying.

Can I live in Squamish and commute?

It's risky.

The "Sea-to-Sky" highway is beautiful but can close due to accidents or snow. Plus, Squamish has become almost as expensive as Vancouver. It is no longer the "cheap" option.

What is the "BC Family Benefit"?

Free Money (if you qualify).

The BC government offers a tax-free monthly payment to families with children. Unlike federal benefits, this helps offset the high cost of childcare and groceries in the province.

About the author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian career researcher and digital entrepreneur. He tracks real-time labour market data, government hiring trends, and entry-level opportunities to help newcomers and students navigate the Canadian job market.

Sources

• Living Wage for Families BC (2025 Rates): https://www.livingwageforfamilies.ca/
• ILWU Local 500 (Longshore Recruitment): https://www.ilwu500.org/
• BC Ferries Careers: https://www.bcferries.com/careers

Note:

Job availability, wages, and hiring conditions can vary widely by province, employer, season, and experience level. All salary ranges and job examples in this guide are estimates based on current labour market data. Always confirm details directly with the employer before applying.