Canada’s aviation sector employs thousands across core airports, regional fields, airlines and service providers. Toronto Pearson International Airport alone employs a sizeable workforce across passenger services, logistics, ground handling, cargo and security functions — and its operator, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, regularly posts job openings for frontline and specialist roles. Airport employment is diverse, with roles ranging from frontline ramp operations to technical aviation engineering, as well as customer services, retail support and leadership positions.
Many jobs are available with varying skill requirements — from physical roles that require minimal prior experience and training to highly skilled aviation maintenance positions that require certifications and licensing. Canada’s immigration pathways (e.g., Temporary Foreign Worker Program or Provincial Nominee Programs) may support international applicants if they secure a job offer and meet visa conditions for work eligibility.
Major Airport Job Roles & Responsibilities
Below are the primary functional clusters employers recruit for at Canadian airports:
Ramp & Ground Handling Roles
- Ramp Agent / Baggage Handler: Load/unload luggage, marshal aircraft, fuel support coordination and equipment handling.
- Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Operator: Drive tugs, belt loaders, pushback tractors and support logistics.
- Cargo Service Representative: Coordinate cargo movement, documentation, tracking and warehouse coordination.
Passenger Services
- Customer Service / Check-In Agent: Handle check-ins, boarding passes, passenger queries and irregular operations support.
- Ticketing Officer & Boarding Agent: Issue tickets, manage boarding announcements and assist with flight changes.
- VIP Lounge Staff / Concierge: Provide premium passenger support and services.
Security & Safety Roles
- Security Screener / Officer: Screen passengers and baggage for prohibited items, monitor access and enforce safety protocol.
- Public Safety Officer: Ensure security compliance and response coordination at major hubs like Toronto Pearson.
Technical & Maintenance Roles
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer / AME: Maintain aircraft systems, inspect structural components and issue safety certifications.
- Airport Operations Specialist: Manage runway conditions, technical compliance and field coordination.
- Ground Handling Quality Assurance Auditor: Evaluate ground operations and compliance.
Administrative, Retail & Support Roles
- Inventory Control & Logistics Associate: Manage stock for spare parts, equipment and supplies.
- Airport Retail & Food Service Staff: Work in restaurants, boutiques and duty-free shops inside terminals.
- Administrative Support (Clerical/HR/Finance): Back-office roles handling documentation, payroll and schedules.
Eligibility, Visa/Work Permits & Skills You’ll Need
Canadian airport employers typically ask for a high school diploma or equivalent for entry roles, though some technical positions require vocational training, aviation diplomas, or certification by Transport Canada (e.g., AME license). Basic English (or French, especially in Quebec) is often mandatory for customer-facing roles. Many roles require background security checks, and for technical and operations roles, shift flexibility (nights/weekends) is a must.
Foreign workers often apply under Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or provincial nominee streams if they have a valid Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an employer-supported work permit. Employers in major hubs post opportunities regularly on their career sites and national boards like Job Bank Canada or Indeed Canada, which list visa sponsorship considerations where applicable.
Salary Table — Airport Jobs In Canada (Monthly / Annual CAD)
The salary ranges below are industry averages drawn from Canadian job boards, national statistics and aviation employer postings. Salaries vary by experience, airline/authority and airport size. Many airport roles are paid hourly but can be converted to monthly figures for planning.
| Role | Average Annual Salary (CAD) | Typical Hourly Equivalent (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramp Agent / Baggage Handler | 36,000 | 18–20 | Shift work & overtime possible |
| Customer Service Agent | 40,000 | 18–22 | Front office & boarding duties |
| Security Screener | 44,000 | 20–25 | Safety screenings & checks |
| Ground Support Equipment Operator | 42,000 | 20–26 | GSE driving & logistics |
| Airport Cleaner / Janitorial | 40,000 | 16–20 | Terminal hygiene & upkeep |
| Inventory Control Associate | 50,000 | 22–26 | Parts & supplies management |
| Aircraft Maintenance Engineer | 75,000 | 36–42 | Technical aviation specialist |
| Operations Specialist / Controller | 70,000 | 34–40 | Field operations coordination |
| Security Manager / Supervisor | 85,000+ | 40+ | Leadership & compliance |
| Manager / Senior Administrator | 100,000+ | 45+ | Strategic & leadership roles |
ASCII Salary Chart — Quick Visual (Annual CAD)
Manager / Senior Administrator | ███████████████████████ 100,000+ Security Manager / Supervisor | ██████████████████ 85,000+ Aircraft Maintenance Engineer | ███████████████ 75,000 Operations Specialist / Controller| ██████████████ 70,000 Inventory Control Associate | ██████████ 50,000 Customer Service Agent | █████████ 40,000 Airport Cleaner / Janitorial | ████████ 40,000 Ground Support Equipment Operator| █████████ 42,000 Ramp Agent / Baggage Handler | ████████ 36,000 Security Screener | ████████ 44,000
Major Employers, Airlines & Official Career Links
Below are primary organizations and employers that list airport jobs and aviation careers across Canada. These official portals post verified job openings, hiring events and walk-in schedules. Always apply through these links rather than unofficial ads to avoid scams.
- Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) — Careers: https://jobs.torontopearson.com/en. (Largest airport employer at Toronto Pearson with multi-category roles.)
- Air Canada — Careers: https://careers.aircanada.com. (National carrier hiring ground agents, ramp staff, maintenance engineers and customer service.)
- WestJet Careers: https://careers.westjet.com. (Major airline with roles at key Canadian airports.)
- Swissport — Ground Handling: https://www.swissport.com/careers. (Ramp, cargo and GSE jobs at multiple Canadian airports.)
- Menzies Aviation — Airport Services: https://menziesaviation.com/careers. (Ground handling & cargo services.)
- dnata — Careers & Ground Support: https://www.dnata.com/en/careers. (Cargo and handling services at certain airports.)
- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — Government Jobs: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. (Security & customs officer roles.)
- Nav Canada — Air Navigation Services: https://www.navcanada.ca/en/careers.aspx. (Air traffic control and operations roles.)
- Airport Authorities (YYC, YVR, YUL etc.) — Careers: Career pages on official airport websites that list operations, admin and technical roles.
Top Canadian Airport Hiring Hotspots
Jobs are concentrated in the busiest hubs but opportunities exist across regional airports as well — each city has unique demand drivers:
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
One of Canada’s busiest aviation hubs with continuous hiring for ramp, ground handling, security, cargo and management roles. GTAA lists hundreds of openings across categories.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Major Pacific gateway with strong demand for operations staff, ground handlers and technical roles as well as cargo and logistics.
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Growing logistics and business travel hub with demand for customer service, ground handling and technical maintenance.
Montréal-Trudeau (YUL)
Key bilingual airport requiring English/French skills for customer service and operations roles.
Ottawa, Edmonton & Winnipeg Airports
Smaller markets with steady roles in ground services, customer support and logistics.
How To Apply For Airport Jobs In Canada — Steps & Advice
- Prepare A Strong CV: Tailor to aviation roles — highlight relevant experience, safety training, customer service skills and certifications.
- Check Official Career Portals: Use the official employer links above — airlines, airport authorities and cargo handlers post verified openings regularly.
- Visit National Job Boards: Indeed Canada, Job Bank Canada, Glassdoor Canada and LinkedIn frequently list new airport roles.
- Prepare For Security Clearances: Most airport roles require background checks and security screening — have your ID and records ready.
- Attend Walk-Ins & Hiring Events: Major hubs occasionally host airport-wide recruitment fairs — check local airport authority announcements.
- Discuss Benefits Clearly: Confirm pay, shift allowances, overtime and benefits like health insurance before accepting offers.
Career Growth, Training & Certifications
Airport careers often have clear ladders — start in entry roles and progress into supervisory and managerial positions. Technical staff benefit from certifications like aircraft maintenance licenses, GSE operation permits, security screening qualifications and airside driving permits. Employers often sponsor training for employees in demand skills.
Interview, Onboarding & Safety Tips
- Show Safety Mindset: Airports prioritize safety — highlight relevant safety or first-aid certifications; physical readiness matters for ground roles.
- Be Flexible: Shift work includes evenings, nights and weekends — emphasize availability.
- Enhance Language Skills: English and/or French (in Quebec) improves selection for customer service roles.
- Bring Certifications To Interviews: Tech and operations roles often require copies of licenses or trade certificates.
