40042 – Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces
Lead statement
Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces plan, organize, command, direct, control and evaluate, the operations of their organization in relation to established objectives. Senior commissioned officers formulate military and strategic policies which establish the direction to be taken by the Canadian Forces. All ranks of commissioned officers in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Navy are included in this unit group.
Main duties
- Allocate material, human and financial resources to implement military policies and programs, establish administrative controls, and approve overall personnel planning
- Plan, organize and command the activities of the Canadian Armed Forces combat units and military strategic units in the Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Royal Canadian Navy at home and when deployed overseas during operations in conflict territory
- Plan, organize and command units engaged in non-military disaster relief, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations at the national and international level
- Set objectives of the organization in accordance with legislation and government policy, formulate or approve and evaluate programs and procedures, alone or in collaboration with senior government committees
- Coordinate the work of various military strategic units employing appropriate levels of military force for specific tasks
- Develop and implement military procedures and policies that are geared to the capabilities and performance of each unit.
Employment requirements
- A university degree is usually required.
- Completion of military training is required.
- Experience as a non-commissioned member of the armed forces and demonstrated leadership ability may substitute for a university degree.
- Senior ranks, such as colonel, require several years of experience.
Example job titles
artillery officer · court martial judge · infantry officer · lieutenant general · major general · brigadier general · colonel · lieutenant colonel · major · captain - Canadian Army · captain - Royal Canadian Navy · captain - Royal Canadian Air Force · captain · lieutenant - Canadian Army · lieutenant - Royal Canadian Air Force · lieutenant · lieutenant - Royal Canadian Navy · second lieutenant · officer cadet · admiral · vice admiral · rear admiral · commodore · commander · lieutenant commander · sub-lieutenant · acting sub-lieutenant · naval cadet · search and rescue captain · general · air combat systems officer · armour officer
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $34.62 | $55.03 | $74.83 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $37.78 | $54.13 | $72.54 |
| Nova Scotia | $37.19 | $53.37 | $73.77 |
| New Brunswick | $34.87 | $50.27 | $69.66 |
| Quebec | $31.43 | $50.43 | $71.46 |
| Ontario | $35.51 | $55.12 | $77.90 |
| Manitoba | $35.26 | $52.50 | $73.09 |
| Saskatchewan | $32.86 | $52.07 | $74.99 |
| Alberta | $34.28 | $52.58 | $72.71 |
| British Columbia | $35.40 | $52.86 | $74.51 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.