Real Estate Developer
Finance, design, and build commercial or residential properties.
About the Career
Heavily reliant on the macro economy, but Canada's housing shortage ensures viability.
Salary in Canada
- Entry level: $70,000
- Senior level: $200,000+
Incredibly variable. Successful developers (owners) have limitless earning potential.
Job Outlook
Stable demand. Heavily reliant on the macro economy, but Canada's housing shortage ensures viability.
How to Get There
- 4-yr BComm (Real Estate focus), Urban Planning, or Engineering
- Time to career: 4-6 years post-Grade 12
Key Skills
- Feasibility & Financial Analysis
- Project Management
- Zoning & Land Use Knowledge
- Negotiation & Financing
- Stakeholder Management
Typical Employers
- Real estate development firms
- Construction companies
- Pension funds & REITs
- Municipal planning departments
- Consulting firms
High School Roadmap
- Follow business logic, play strategy games, understand basic economics.
- Take Business and Geography.
- Research UBC's Sauder School of Business (Real Estate specialization) or Guelph's Real Estate program.
- Apply to commerce or planning. Start understanding finance and mortgages.
Top Universities for This Path
- University of British Columbia – Vancouver, BC
- Toronto Metropolitan University – Toronto, ON
- University of Guelph – Guelph, ON
- Western University – London, ON
- McGill University – Montreal, QC
Insider Tips
- It requires bridging finance, urban planning, construction, and law.
- UBC Sauder and University of Guelph have highly specific Real Estate degree programs.
- Most developers start in banking, construction, planning, or sales before running their own projects.