Best Weekend Jobs in Canada (High Pay & Flexible 2026)

In 2026, the "Side Hustle" is no longer just for students. It is a survival strategy for working professionals.

With the cost of rent and groceries skyrocketing across Canada, thousands of people who work Monday-to-Friday are looking for ways to monetize their Saturdays and Sundays.

The good news? The weekend is when the money moves.

While the corporate world sleeps, the "Experience Economy" (Events, Dining, Entertainment) wakes up. These industries are desperate for staff who are willing to work when everyone else is partying. Because of this desperation, you can often command higher wages, better tips, or "shift premiums" that you wouldn't get on a Tuesday morning.

If you are ready to trade your weekend Netflix binge for a second income stream, here are the best weekend jobs in Canada.

1. Banquet Server / Bartender (The "Wedding Season" Goldmine)

• The Job: Serving food and drinks at weddings, galas, and corporate holiday parties.
• Why it fits: Weddings happen on Saturdays. It is the perfect schedule for someone with a 9-5 office job.
• The Pay: $18 – $25 per hour + TIPS.
• The "Tip" Factor: At a high-end wedding or hotel banquet, the "auto-gratuity" is often split among staff. You can walk away with $100–$200 in cash tips for a single 6-hour shift.
• Where to apply: Don't apply to restaurants. Apply to Event Staffing Agencies (like The Butler Did It, Staffy, or Hotel Banquet Departments). They let you pick up shifts only when you want them.
• Related: If you need cash immediately, check our Fast Hiring Jobs Guide for app-based server roles.

2. Weekend Warehouse Associate (The "Weekend Warrior")

• The Job: Picking and packing orders for Amazon, Walmart, or Costco.
• The Schedule: Major logistics centers run 24/7. They often struggle to staff the "Friday Night to Sunday Night" window.
• The Premium: Many warehouses offer a "Weekend Shift Premium" (e.g., an extra $1.50 or $2.00 per hour) to convince people to work weekends.
• The Pay: $19 – $24 per hour.
• Why it’s great: It requires zero brainpower. You can listen to podcasts, get your workout in (walking 20k steps), and go home. No customers, no stress.
• Related: See our list of Best Warehouse Jobs (Correction: We will cover this in detail in upcoming Article #101).

3. Security Guard (Condo / Event)

• The Job: Sitting at a condo front desk or guarding a construction site.
• Why it fits: Security is a 24/7 industry. Full-time guards usually want weekends off, creating a massive opening for "Part-Time Weekenders."
• The Pay: $17 – $22 per hour.
• The "Study" Hack: If you get a "warm body" site (like an empty construction site or a quiet office lobby), you can often study, read, or work on your laptop while getting paid. It is the ultimate "Double Dip."
• Related: Learn how to get your license in our Ontario Jobs Guide.

4. Merchandiser (Resets)

• The Job: Going into grocery stores or pharmacies (Shoppers Drug Mart) to rearrange the shelves.
• Why Weekends? Stores often do big "Planogram Resets" (changing the layout) on Saturday nights or Sunday mornings when foot traffic is low.
• The Pay: $18 – $23 per hour.
• The Employer: You usually work for third-party companies like Advantage Solutions or SPAR Canada, not the store itself.
• Pros: Independent work. You check in via an app, do the work, take a photo, and leave.

5. Rideshare / Food Delivery (The Peak Hours)

• The Job: Uber, Lyft, DoorDash.
• The "Surge": Weekends are the only time you should drive if you want to make real money. Friday and Saturday nights (5 PM – 2 AM) have "Surge Pricing."
• The Math: Driving on a Tuesday afternoon might earn you $15/hr. Driving on a Saturday night can earn you **$30 – $40/hr** in a busy city.
• The Strategy: Focus on the "Bar Close" crowd (1 AM – 3 AM) or the "Sunday Hangover" crowd (Brunch delivery 10 AM – 2 PM).

6. Open House Host / Real Estate Assistant

• The Job: Sitting at an "Open House" on Saturday and Sunday afternoons to greet potential buyers.
• Why it fits: Real Estate Agents can't be everywhere at once. They hire assistants to open the door, turn on the lights, and collect names.
• The Pay: $20 – $25 per hour.
• Requirement: In some provinces, you can do this unlicensed (just greeting). In others, you need a license. Check local rules.
• Why it’s great: It is clean, safe, indoor work in beautiful houses.

7. Youth Sports Referee / Timekeeper

• The Job: Officiating kids' soccer or hockey games.
• The Schedule: Youth sports happen almost exclusively on weekends (Saturday Mornings / Sunday Afternoons).
• The Pay: $25 – $50 per game.
• Why it fits: It is cash-heavy and tax-light (in some cases). Plus, it keeps you active.
• Related: This is also the #1 job for teens, as detailed in our Teen Jobs Guide.

Comparison Table: Effort vs. Income

Financial Reality: The "Second Job" Tax Trap

Before you take a weekend job, you must understand how Canadian taxes work so you don't get a nasty surprise in April.

1. The "Basic Personal Amount"

• You can earn approx. $15,000 tax-free. Your first job likely uses this up.
• This means your second job is taxed from the very first dollar.

2. The TD1 Form Mistake

• When you start the weekend job, they will give you a TD1 Form.
• Crucial Step: On the second page, check the box that says "More than one employer at the same time."
• Why? If you don't, they won't deduct enough tax. You might owe the CRA thousands of dollars at the end of the year. It is better to have the tax taken off each paycheck (smaller deposits) than to owe a lump sum later.

Practical Questions Answered

"Will a weekend job burn me out?"

Yes, if you choose the wrong one.

• The Strategy: If your M-F job is mental (office), choose a physical weekend job (Warehouse/Merchandising). If your M-F job is physical (Construction), choose a sedentary weekend job (Security/Uber).
• Balance: Do not work 7 days a week forever. Use weekend work for a specific goal (e.g., "Pay off Visa debt in 6 months"), then quit.

"Can my main employer fire me?"

Check your contract.

• Conflict of Interest: You generally cannot work for a competitor (e.g., working at TD Bank M-F and RBC on weekends).
• Fatigue: As long as the second job doesn't affect your performance at the first job, it is usually legal. However, some employment contracts have "Exclusivity Clauses." Read yours.

"Are cash jobs worth it?"

Risky.

• The Benefit: No tax.
• The Risk: No WSIB (Worker's Comp). If you fall off a ladder doing a cash roofing job on Saturday, you have zero income protection if you can't go to your main job on Monday. We recommend sticking to legal, insured employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best weekend job for introverts?

Overnight Stocking or Cleaning.

You work when the store/office is closed. Zero customers. Just you and your headphones. Check our Jobs for Introverts (Wait, check List Item #25—we covered this concept).

Can I do remote work on weekends?

Yes.

Data Annotation (AI Training) and English Tutoring (Cambly) are popular because you can log in whenever you want. See our Remote Jobs Guide.

Do weekend jobs pay overtime?

Usually No.

Overtime in Canada is typically calculated after 44 hours per week (varies by province) with the same employer. Since this is a second employer, your hours start at 0. You earn regular time unless you work a statutory holiday.

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

• Canada Revenue Agency (Multiple Jobs): https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/pay-pension/pay-administration/access-update-pay-details/pay-changes-in-your-life/changing-your-employment/dual-employment.html
• Staffy (Event Shifts): https://www.staffy.com/
• Indeed (Weekend Job Trends): https://ca.indeed.com/q-weekend-jobs.html

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.