Registered nurses are vital healthcare professionals who provide skilled nursing care and services across diverse settings in Canada. With the country’s growing healthcare demands and aging population, registered nurses play an increasingly essential role in the Canadian workforce.
But how much do registered nurses earn in Canada? Is it higher or lower than the average salaries in Canada? What factors impact their salaries? And which provinces and employers offer the most lucrative opportunities?
This guide examines current average registered nurse salaries in Canada, regional variations, top influencers on nurse pay, and the job outlook for aspiring nurses.
What is the Average Salary for Registered Nurses in Canada?
Taking care of people’s health is not an easy task, and being a Registered Nurse is not easy, either.
In Canada, registered nurses work in diverse environments, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, private homes, public health agencies, and corporate settings. They may also specialize in areas like critical care, oncology, pediatrics, or community health.
The median hourly wage for registered nurses nationwide is $53.02, which results in an annual median salary of approximately $103.381 for a standard full-time work year.
While this salary is considered high, it still ranked behind the salaries of software developers, the salaries of engineers, and the salaries of lawyers.
However, this figure is just a midpoint. Actual earnings vary significantly based on factors such as geographical location, experience level, specialty, and employer.
- Entry-level positions can start around $70,000 to $80,000 per year.
- Experienced nurses with over ten years of service, particularly those in senior or specialized roles, can earn more than $100,000 annually.
This progression demonstrates a strong potential for financial growth over the course of a nursing career in Canada. (Source)
What are the Average Registered Nurse Salaries by Province and Territory?
Registered nurse wages demonstrate noticeable differences across Canada’s provinces and territories. According to Government of Canada Job Bank, here is an overview of the provincial median hourly wage rates:
| Province/Territory | Median Hourly Wage |
| Nunavut | $64.69 per hour |
| Northwest Territories | $56.00 per hour |
| Yukon Territory | $48.30 per hour |
| Alberta | $47.00 per hour |
| Saskatchewan | $46.82 per hour |
| British Columbia | $45.00 per hour |
| Manitoba | $44.00 per hour |
| New Brunswick | $43.00 per hour |
| Nova Scotia | $40.00 per hour |
| Prince Edward Island | $42.00 per hour |
| Ontario | $40.00 per hour |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $42.00 per hour |
| Quebec | $40.00 per hour |
The data shows that the northern territories consistently offer the highest wages to compensate for the higher cost of living and to attract nurses to remote communities. Provinces like Alberta and British Columbia also offer highly competitive salaries.
What are the Highest Paying Cities for Registered Nurses?
While provincial pay scales provide a general guideline, the average Registered Nurse salary can vary significantly between major metropolitan areas. This often reflects differences in local demand, the presence of large healthcare facilities, and the regional cost of living.
Based on 2025 data, here is a comparison of the average annual salaries for RNs across seven key Canadian cities:
| City | Average Annual Salary (in CAD) |
| Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island | $92,000 |
| Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | $89,804 |
| Winnipeg, Manitoba | $83,908 |
| Edmonton, Alberta | $82,922 |
| Toronto, Ontario | $82,841 |
| Montreal, Quebec | $70,573 |
| Calgary, Alberta | $69,710 |
The data reveals that some of the highest average salaries are not necessarily in Canada’s largest urban centers.
It is crucial for prospective nurses to look beyond the median salary and consider the complete financial picture. Factors such as the local cost of living and taxes can significantly impact one’s take-home pay and overall financial well-being.
Source: Nurse Salary in Canada in 2025: Salaries & Skills – getgis
What are the Factors that Affect the Registered Nurse Salaries in Canada?
So, have you ever wondered why there is a difference in salaries among registered nurses in Canada? Below are factors that can deeply affect the salary of a registered nurse.
Experience Level
Experience is a primary driver of salary growth in nursing. Collective agreements outline clear, incremental pay increases based on years of service.
- Entry-Level (0–4 years): New graduates usually begin with annual salaries between $60,000 and $75,000, as they focus on developing core skills and gaining hands-on clinical experience.
- Mid-Career (5–10 years): At this stage, salaries commonly rise to $70,000–$85,000 or higher. Many nurses also begin to explore specialized practice areas or move into supervisory positions.
- Senior-Level (10+ years): With more than a decade of experience, nurses are among the top earners, often making $90,000 to over $100,000 annually, especially when working in advanced practice, management, or highly specialized roles.
Source: The Nurse Salary in Canada – Complete Guide – INSCOL
Education and Specialization
Advanced education is directly linked to higher earning potential.
- A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a doctorate can qualify you for roles such as Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Nurse Educator.
- Specialty certifications in high-demand areas like critical care (ICU), operating room (OR), oncology, or anesthesia also command premium pay.
According to Talent.com, roles with equivalent responsibilities and advanced practices typically lead the pay scale.
| Specialty / Advanced Role | Average Annual Salary Range |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $70,239 – $104,706+ |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | $68,250 – $107,207+ |
| Nurse Educator | $70,239 – $104,706+ |
| Operating Room (OR) Nurse | $70,239 – $104,706+ |
| Critical Care (ICU) Nurse | $60,177 – $103,560+ |
Type of Employer
The employing organization significantly influences total compensation for registered nurses.
Hospitals often offer the highest base registered nurse salaries and the most complete benefits packages. Major hospitals paying on the higher end include:
- Mayo Clinic: $60,000 – $120,000 annually
- Cleveland Clinic: $55,000 – $110,000 annually
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: $70,000 – $140,000 annually
Clinics and private practices offer more varied salary ranges, which often depend on the size of the practice and its financial resources.
Public sector employers typically follow standardized pay scales and benefits set through union agreements.
Unions and Collective Bargaining Agreements
Belonging to a professional nursing union brings several potential advantages through collective bargaining:
- Standardized Raises and Wage Boosts: Unions negotiate scheduled pay increases rather than leaving wages to employers’ discretion.
- Improved Benefits: Union bargaining power leads to better benefits offerings such as increased paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and better health/dental plans.
- Enhanced Working Conditions: Collective agreements regulate policies for scheduling, shifts, overtime, etc., to improve nurses’ work-life balance.
- Continuing Education Support: Unions advocate for robust professional development opportunities and training support.
Therefore, unionized nurses may experience earnings, benefits, and working conditions advantages through collective representation and bargaining leverage.
Shift Differentials and Overtime Pay
Registered nurses who take on extra shifts often enjoy higher pay rates:
- Shift Differentials: Nurses earn an additional $2 to $5 per hour for working evenings, nights, weekends and other undesirable shifts.
- Overtime: Most nurses receive 1.5 to 2 times their base salary when working overtime hours.
- Holiday Pay: Registered nurses earn premium compensation for working major holidays.
So, registered nurses can supplement their base salaries significantly by taking on extra shifts and working holidays. A nurse working 20 hours of overtime per month at 1.5 times pay could earn approximately $5,000 more annually.
What are the Trends that Impact Registered Nurse Salaries and Demand in Canada?
In recent years, important trends have been shaping the growing demand for registered nurses:
- Shortage of Nurses: The imminent talent gap from retiring nurses and unmet demand is spurring aggressive recruitment efforts across healthcare.
- Aging Population: Canada’s aging demographics require expanded community care, long-term care, and home care nurses.
- Increasing Healthcare Spending: With increased investments in programs and services, healthcare now accounts for over 11% of Canada’s GDP.
- Advancements in Technology: Nurses must stay current with emerging technologies, such as telehealth platforms, wearable devices, electronic health records (EHRs), and more.
These pressing trends signal strong job security and salary growth for registered nurses across Canada. Ambitious nurses can look forward to rewarding, recession-proof careers.
What can Nursing Graduates Expect to Get?
For students considering nursing, Canada offers encouraging opportunities to obtain secure employment with lucrative upside potential. Nursing graduates benefit from:
- Competitive Starting Pay: Recent BScN graduates typically begin their careers earning between $70,000 and $80,000 annually, well above the average entry-level salary in many other fields.
- Job Security: Healthcare needs remain steady regardless of economic shifts, making nursing one of the most recession-resistant careers.
- Room for Advancement: With experience, nurses can move into specialized areas, leadership positions, advanced practice roles, or other career paths within healthcare.
- Flexibility and Balance: Many employers offer part-time options, flexible scheduling, and union-backed agreements that help nurses maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- Mobility Across Canada: Nursing credentials are transferable between provinces and territories, giving graduates the freedom to relocate and explore opportunities nationwide.
Overall, nursing graduates in Canada enjoy positive job prospects, competitive starting compensation, and career growth potential – making nursing an appealing choice amid economic uncertainty.
The Bottom Line
Thanks to growing healthcare demands and an aging population, Canada offers registered nurses competitive salaries and strong career prospects.
Overall, Canada is projected to face a major nursing shortage between 2022 and 2031. This translates to excellent job prospects and incentives to attract talent. Aspiring nurses can look forward to launching recession-resilient careers with tremendous upside potential through experience and specialization.
FAQs related to the topic of Average Registered Nurse Salaries in Canada
Here are FAQs related to the topic of Average Registered Nurse Salaries in Canada:
How much does a registered nurse make per hour in Canada?
The average hourly wage for registered nurses in Canada is $40.28. Rates range from $25 per hour in Quebec to $83.04 per hour in Nunavut, depending on location and experience.
Where are the highest-paying provinces for registered nurses?
Nunavut offers the highest nursing salaries at $134,555 annually, followed by the Northwest Territories at $103,467-$116,480. Among provinces, Alberta leads with average salaries of $94,322-$97,760.
What factors increase a registered nurse's salary in Canada?
The key factors that can increase a registered nurse's salary in Canada include years of experience, specializations or advanced certifications, employment at major hospitals versus clinics, belonging to a nursing union, working overtime and night shifts, and geographic regions facing nursing shortages where higher wages are offered.
How does working in rural areas affect nurse salaries?
Rural and remote locations often provide additional incentives and grants to attract nurses. Northern territories offer the highest base salaries plus location allowances, though living costs must be considered.
