Average Salaries in Alberta

With a thriving economy and abundant high-paying jobs, Alberta offers some of the most competitive average salaries in Canada. This detailed guide provides an analysis of average salaries in Alberta approaching 2025 using the latest available data, showcasing the stability and growth of Alberta’s economy and job market.

We examine overall salary ranges, compensation by industry, salaries based on experience level, geographic differences, and pay for specific occupations.

What Are The Average Salaries in Alberta?

Overall, the average salary for jobs in Alberta is approximately $1,372 per week, translating into $71,344 per year and $34,30 per hour. (Source)

Based on the data from VanHack, entry-level positions start at $46,516, and experienced workers earn up to $156,003. This aggregated figure encompasses all occupations and industries across the province.

The following 5 intersecting factors shape compensation in Alberta:

• Location – Major urban centers and economically strong regions typically offer higher salaries than rural areas.
• Years of experience – More experience leads to higher salaries, as shown earlier.
• Education and certifications – Advanced degrees, training programs and certifications drive higher pay.
• Industry conditions – Sectors like healthcare, engineering and tech pay more for in-demand skills.
• Company size and revenue – Large global companies and wildly profitable startups pay above small businesses.

Average Salaries in Alberta by Cities and Towns

Salaries vary across different cities and regions within Alberta:

Source: Richest Cities in Alberta – justinhavre.com

Salaries in Calgary and Edmonton, major urban centers with diversified economies, exceed those in smaller rural towns. However, some towns enriched by oil, gas, and other resources also feature higher average salaries in Alberta.

Average Salaries in Alberta by Experience Level

Experience proves to be one of the most significant factors determining salary levels in Alberta. It’s a clear indicator of the potential for growth and advancement in the job market. Generally, the more years dedicated to a career, the higher the earning potential:

Source: Average Salary in Alberta – VanHack

Workers with 2-5 years of experience typically make around 63.9% more than entry-level or junior employees in the same field.

As workers move past the beginner stage, their earnings keep increasing because they can handle more advanced tasks and are seen as more reliable in their roles.

After about ten years, many people step into senior or management positions. At this stage, higher pay reflects their leadership and deeper knowledge.

For those with long careers of 15 years or more, salaries often match their status as experts or executives, since they bring strong experience and big-picture value to their workplaces.

Highest Paying Jobs in Alberta

Certain occupations command much higher salaries than others in Alberta due to factors like advanced expertise, long training periods, and high demand. Healthcare specialists dominate individual high-earning positions, with orthopedic surgeons earning $379,281 annually, while mining and oil & gas extraction lead industry sectors at $2,718 weekly earnings.

The province’s highest-paying jobs currently include:

Most top compensation goes to specialized physicians and surgeons, reflecting the extensive education, training, and in-demand skills these roles require.

One broader occupational title, “Highest,” encompasses resource extraction ($141,336), utilities ($106,236), management of companies ($105,196), professional/technical services ($101,920).

Salaries in these areas run well above Alberta’s average for the Highest positions, fueled by strong economic conditions and the concentration of major employers.

Here are the rates of 3 high-paying roles in Alberta:

• The average salary of business development professional is $98,311 per year
• The average salary of finance and insurance is $94,432 per year
• The average salary of software engineer is $93,454 per year

So, while the medical field garners top salaries, ample high-paying opportunities exist across sectors for experienced professionals.

Source: Average Salary in Alberta – Overview of Key Roles in Alberta’s Job Market – VanHack

Most In-Demand Jobs and Salaries in Alberta

Beyond the highest-paying roles, many in-demand occupations also offer salaries surpassing Alberta’s overall average:

Additional popular, well-paying occupations include:

• Nursing RNs – Average salary of $84,177 per year
• Physical Therapists – Average salary of $88,029 per year
• Software Engineers – Average salary of $119,702 per year

Healthcare, engineering, and energy jobs demonstrate high demand in Alberta, alongside competitive compensation. This enormous range shows the influence of job title, requirements, responsibilities and department on compensation.

Average Salaries in Canada vary widely between provinces and territories due to factors like cost of living, labour supply, and economic strength. To help you understand pay scales across Canada, we’ve compiled this series on average salaries by region:

• Average Salaries in British Columbia
• Average Salaries in Nunavut
• Average Salaries in Nova Scotia
• Average Salaries in Quebec
• Average Salaries in Ontario
• Average Salaries in Yukon
• Average Salaries in Manitoba
• Average Salaries in Saskatchewan

Workers can use industry-specific wage data, online calculators, and government statistics to estimate average salaries in Alberta. 

Key Takeaways on Average Salaries in Alberta

In summary, 6 key points on average salaries in Alberta include:

• The average salary is approximately $71,344
• Salaries range from $46,516 at the low end up to $156,003
• The highest-paying jobs belong to healthcare specialists, averaging over $300,000
• Many in-demand roles like nurses and engineers also exceed Alberta’s average salary
• Government and public sector pay tends to be lower than private companies
• Significant variability exists based on experience, location, sector, job type and other factors

Alberta’s economic and job growth is projected to remain strong. Competitive salaries and advancement opportunities will persist across the province’s thriving industries.

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