Overview of Airport Jobs in Canada
Canada’s aviation sector is expanding through 2025 as travel demand rebounds, cargo volumes grow, and airports modernize terminals and airside infrastructure. This surge is creating thousands of openings for ground handling, baggage operations, security screening, ramp services, aircraft cleaning, customer service, cargo, and airline operations. The largest hubs — Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montréal–Trudeau (YUL), and Calgary (YYC) — recruit year-round, while mid-size airports like Edmonton (YEG), Ottawa (YOW), Winnipeg (YWG), and Halifax (YHZ) offer steady intake for entry-level and skilled roles.
Employers typically provide competitive hourly wages with shift premiums, paid training, uniform, extended health benefits, union coverage in many roles, and flight privileges at participating airlines. Hiring is strong for airport security officers, baggage/ramp agents, passenger service agents, and cargo warehouse staff. Candidates with clean background checks, good physical fitness, reliable availability for rotating shifts, and basic IT/customer skills have the best selection-rate.
Top Airport Roles Hiring in 2025
- Passenger Service Agent (Check-in/Gate): Boarding, rebooking, special assistance, documentation checks.
- Baggage & Ramp Agent: Loading/unloading, pushback assist, marshalling, aircraft cleaning, de-icing support (seasonal).
- Security Screening Officer: Passenger and baggage screening at CATSA-operated checkpoints; strong compliance focus.
- Cargo Warehouse Agent: Build/break ULDs, forklift/pallet jack operation, cold-chain handling for pharma/seafood.
- Customer Experience Agent: Wayfinding, queue management, baggage tracing, lounge desk support.
- Airline Cabin Cleaner / Grooming: Fast-turn cleaning, galley/washroom reset, supplies restock.
- Aircraft Fueling / Ground Support Tech: Refuelling, GPU/ASU operations (training provided; safety-sensitive).
- Airport Operations / Terminal Duty: Apron safety patrol, stand allocation support, irregular ops coordination (experienced).
- Maintenance & Facilities (FM/MEP): HVAC, electrical, plumbing, moving walkways, baggage belts (licensed trades earn more).
- Airline Call-Centre / Reservations (Hybrid): Reaccommodation, schedule change assistance; remote/hub-based models.
Requirements & Eligibility
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | High School minimum; college/aviation diploma preferred for ops roles |
| Experience | 0–3 years for entry roles; 3–6+ years for lead/specialist/supervisor |
| Language | English; French an asset (especially Quebec); multilingual a plus |
| Security | Clean background; ability to obtain RAIC/Restricted Area Pass |
| Fitness | Lift 23–32 kg, work in cold/heat, stand/walk for long periods |
| Shifts | 24/7 operations; early mornings, nights, weekends, holidays |
| Licensing | Valid driver’s licence for airside GSE/forklift/fuel ops (role-dependent) |
Salary Table — Airport Jobs in Canada (2025)
Pay varies by airport, union agreement, employer, and schedule premiums. Below ranges reflect typical 2025 bands across major hubs:
| Role | Hourly Wage (CAD) | Approx. Monthly (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baggage/Ramp Agent | 18 – 26 | 3,120 – 4,500 | Overtime & winter premium common |
| Security Screening Officer (CATSA) | 22 – 32 | 3,800 – 5,500 | Unionized; pay steps by tenure |
| Passenger Service Agent | 19 – 27 | 3,300 – 4,700 | Flight benefits in some airlines |
| Cargo Warehouse Agent | 20 – 28 | 3,450 – 4,900 | Night shift differential |
| Aircraft Groomer / Cabin Cleaner | 18 – 24 | 3,120 – 4,150 | Turnaround targets; PPE provided |
| GSE Tech / Fueling | 24 – 34 | 4,150 – 5,900 | Safety-sensitive; training paid |
| Ops Coordinator / Duty | 28 – 40 | 4,850 – 6,900 | Experience required; on-call |
| Licensed Trades (Electrician/HVAC) | 30 – 45 | 5,200 – 7,750 | Red Seal premiums possible |
CAD 18 ─────────────── Entry Ground / Cabin Clean CAD 24 ─────────────── Security / Cargo / Skilled Ramp CAD 32 ─────────────── GSE / Fueling / Lead Agent CAD 40+ ────────────── Ops / Licensed Trades / Duty
City-Wise Airport Hiring (Major Hubs)
Toronto, Ontario — Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
Canada’s busiest hub with constant hiring for security, ramp, and customer service. Check: Air Canada Careers, WestJet Careers (partners at YYZ), Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) Jobs, Swissport, Menzies Aviation, SkyCafe (catering), and CATSA (screening).
Vancouver, British Columbia — Vancouver International (YVR)
Known for cargo and Asia-Pacific connectivity, with strong hiring in cargo, security, and guest services. See: Vancouver Airport Authority Careers, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Yamato/other cargo providers (via terminal operators), plus handlers Swissport and Menzies.
Montréal, Québec — Montréal–Trudeau (YUL)
Bilingual advantage (FR/EN). Roles in security, check-in, lounge, cargo, and aircraft grooming. Explore: ADM Aéroports de Montréal Careers, Air Canada, Air Transat, local hiring boards, CATSA.
Calgary, Alberta — Calgary International (YYC)
Strong WestJet presence and diversified cargo. Hiring for ramp, guest services, de-icing, and GSE. See: Calgary Airport Authority Jobs, WestJet Careers, Swissport, Menzies.
Edmonton (YEG), Ottawa (YOW), Winnipeg (YWG), Halifax (YHZ)
Consistent intake for screeners, ramp, and passenger service with stable schedules. Visit: Edmonton International Careers, Ottawa Airport Authority Careers, Winnipeg Airports Authority Careers, Halifax Stanfield Careers.
Key Employers & Official Career Links
| Employer | Focus Area | Careers Link |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | Airline — Customer, Ramp, Cargo, Tech Ops | jobs.aircanada.com |
| WestJet | Airline — Guest, Ramp (via partners), Contact Centre | westjet.com/careers |
| CATSA | Security Screening (nationwide) | catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/careers |
| NAV CANADA | ANSP — ATC/Tech/Support (nationwide) | navcanada.ca/en/careers |
| Swissport | Global Ground Handling | swissport.com/careers |
| Menzies Aviation | Ground Handling & Cargo | menziesaviation.com/careers |
| GTAA (Toronto Pearson) | Airport Authority (YYZ) | torontopearson.com/careers |
| Vancouver Airport Authority | Airport Authority (YVR) | careers.yvr.ca |
| ADM (Montréal–Trudeau) | Airport Authority (YUL) | admtl.com/en/careers |
| Calgary Airport Authority | Airport Authority (YYC) | yyc.com/en-us/careers |
Where to Apply — Verified Portals
- LinkedIn — Airport Jobs Canada
- Indeed Canada — Airport Vacancies
- Glassdoor — Airport Jobs
- Workopolis — Airport Jobs
- Eluta — Employer Job Search (Airport)
Career Growth & Upskilling
Typical progressions include: Ramp → Lead → Supervisor → Duty Manager, Check-in/Gate → Lead CSA → Station Supervisor, Screening Officer → Lead → Training/Quality, Cargo Agent → ULD Lead → Warehouse Supervisor. Upskilling ideas: DG (Dangerous Goods) Cat 5/6, Airside Driving Permit (ADP), WHMIS, First Aid, winter ops and de-icing certifications, and bilingual proficiency for Quebec postings. Experienced candidates can pivot into Operations Control, Resource Planning, Safety & Compliance, and Facilities/MEP.
High-EPC Tips to Get Hired Faster
- Apply directly on airport authority and airline/handler websites (ATS is the primary filter).
- Tailor your resume with Canadian terminology: “RAIC,” “airside,” “GSE,” “CSA,” “screening officer.”
- Highlight shift flexibility and reliable attendance (top screening criteria).
- Keep government ID & police check ready; expect multi-stage background screening.
- Mention cold-weather experience and PPE compliance for ramp/cargo roles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) What Is the Average Salary for Airport Jobs in Canada?
Entry-level hourly wages typically range from CAD 18–24, while experienced or licensed roles (GSE, fueling, trades, ops) can earn CAD 28–45+ per hour depending on the airport and employer.
2) Do Airports Provide Benefits and Uniforms?
Yes. Most employers include paid training, medical/dental benefits, uniforms/PPE, and shift premiums. Airlines may offer flight benefits subject to policy.
3) Can Newcomers or Students Apply?
Yes. Many agents and ramp roles are entry-level. Students and newcomers with legal work authorization can apply; co-op postings appear seasonally.
4) Which Cities Have the Most Hiring?
Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montréal (YUL), and Calgary (YYC) lead nationwide, followed by Edmonton (YEG), Ottawa (YOW), Winnipeg (YWG), and Halifax (YHZ).
5) Do I Need a RAIC/Restricted Pass Before Applying?
No. The employer sponsors and coordinates the RAIC process after you receive a conditional offer and clear background checks.