How to become an instructor
Official title: Other instructors
Also called: Driving instructor, Sailing instructor, First aid instructor, Modelling instructor, Auto-driving instructor, Truck driving instructor, Driving school instructor, Motorcycle driving instructor, Beauty culture school instructor, Small-boat navigation instructor, Self-improvement course instructor, Sewing instructor - non-vocational
Other instructors teach courses, such as motor vehicle or motorcycle driving, sailing and navigation, sewing or other courses, which are outside of educational institutions. They are employed by driving schools, fabric retailers and other commercial establishments or they may be self-employed. This unit group also includes modelling and finishing school instructors, driver's licence examiners, who are employed by provincial governments and tutors who provide instruction in elementary or secondary school subjects.
Main tasks
- Driving instructors
- Instruct individuals on proper motor vehicle driving skills and traffic regulations
- Demonstrate and explain the handling and mechanical operation of motor vehicles
- Supervise individuals during practice driving
- Driver's licence examiners
- Conduct road test examinations
- Evaluate the driving ability of applicants for driver's licences
- Sewing instructors
How to become one
Enrollment in or completion of post-secondary school in a related discipline may be required for tutors, secondary and elementary school subjects. Expertise in the field of instruction must be demonstrated. Driving instructors must obtain special licensing as a driving instructor in the province of employment. Certification by the Canadian Yachting Association may be required for sailing and navigation instructors.
Ways in
- University: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 16 universities in Canada
- University: Arts & Humanities degrees, Offered by 18 universities in Canada
- Licence or registration: Driving instructors must obtain special licensing as a driving instructor in the province of employment.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $39,000 a year The middle half earn $32,175 to $48,750.
- About 31,900 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 36,900 are projected by 2033. (+15.7%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become an instructor?
Enrollment in or completion of post-secondary school in a related discipline may be required for tutors, secondary and elementary school subjects. Expertise in the field of instruction must be demonstrated. Driving instructors must obtain special licensing as a driving instructor in the province of employment. Certification by the Canadian Yachting Association may be required for sailing and navigation instructors.
How much does an instructor earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $39,000 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $32,175 to $48,750.
Is an instructor a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 16% by 2033, from about 31,900 to about 36,900 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become an instructor?
Not always. 47% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees; Arts & Humanities degrees.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03