British Columbia is a beautiful place to live and work, with a strong job market. However, average salaries in the province are slightly lower than the national average earnings in Canada.
These provincial wage averages can mask significant inequalities across different occupations, regions, and income brackets within B.C. Meanwhile, the rising cost of living is making it increasingly difficult for many residents to afford everyday expenses.
What Are The Average Salaries in British Columbia?
As of October 2025, the average weekly salary in British Columbia is $1,310.62, which is a 1.7% increase from the previous year. This puts B.C. among the top 3rd among provinces for average weekly earnings behind Ontario ($1,357.26) and Alberta ($1,353.54).
This figure shows how wage rates, hours worked, job types, and base‑year effects affect earnings. For long-term growth, though, there needs to be greater development of well-paying private-sector jobs.
Note: SEPH's weekly earnings include overtime and are based on an average of about 33.3 hours, so they should not be compared to a standard 40-hour hourly rate.
Jobs Receive Highest Average Salaries in British Columbia
Unsurprisingly, the top salaries in B.C. are earned primarily by medical specialists. Orthopedic surgeons top the list with a median annual salary of $441,788. They are followed closely by judges, who earn a median of $369,360 per year. Their advanced medical training enables these professionals to command Canada’s highest pay scales.
| Occupation (NOC 2021) | Median pay | Low-High |
| Orthopedic surgeons (31101, Specialists in surgery) | $441,788/year | $146,214 – $819,593 |
| Judges (41100, e.g., B.C. Supreme Court) | $369,360/year | $369,360 – $414,900 |
| General practitioners and family physicians (31102) | $160,960/year | $56,864 – $348,082 |
| Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services (00012; e.g., CFO) | $101.92/hour | $61.54 – $150.00 |
| Engineering managers (20010) | $67.31/hour | $44.00 – $110.58 |
| Lawyers and Quebec notaries (41101) | $65.00/hour | $37.98 – $107.69 |
| Computer and information systems managers (20012) | $63.16/hour | $40.87 – $100.96 |
| Software engineers and designers (21231) | $62.50/hour | $35.00 – $99.04 |
| Nurse practitioners (31302) | $59.53/hour | $42.49 – $74.59 |
| Airline pilots, flight engineers and instructors (72600) | $57.69/hour | $30.00 – $96.15 |
Source: Wages in British Columbia – Government of Canada, Job Bank
Beyond that, technology roles have also had high income in recent years. As noted in the table, Computer and information systems managers earn a median hourly wage of $63.16, with an hourly range typically between $40.87 and $100.96. To reach that level, they need both technical expertise and leadership skills.
Additionally, airline pilots, flight engineers, and instructors command between $30.00 and $96.15 per hour. These positions require a Transport Canada licence (such as CPL or ATPL), specific aircraft/type ratings, and a valid Category 1 aviation medical.
The Average Salary and Living Wage Gap in British Columbia
A living wage allows people to cover basic needs such as housing, food, transportation, and childcare, but it does not cover luxuries. In British Columbia, high wages do not always mean that life is affordable. Three factors impact the living wage and tighten the gap between average salaries:
Inflationary Pressures on Households
In November 2025, Canada’s CPI increased by 2.2% year-over-year, while British Columbia’s CPI rose by 2.0%. Grocery prices rose by 4.7%, and shelter costs increased by 2.3% across the country.
The Housing Crunch
Furthermore, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), vacancy rent rates are expected to rise to 3.7% in Vancouver and 3.3% in Victoria, while the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Vancouver is $2,363, up 2.2% year over year.
Minimum Wage vs Costs of Living
As of June 1, 2025, the minimum wage in British Columbia is $17.85 per hour. While this is indexed to inflation, there remains a gap between the minimum wage and the cost of maintaining a basic standard of living in urban centers like Vancouver and Victoria.
In Mainland/Southwest, the cost of living is exceptionally high, and many households need two incomes to get by, including in the Greater Vancouver area. Still, other areas also have living wages well above the minimum wage, making it challenging for families to manage their budgets.
In North and Interior, these areas have been affected by inflation, but the cost of living is still lower than on the coast. For instance, industrial workers in places like the Northeast or the Cariboo often earn more than service workers in Vancouver.
To understand the context of these wages, look at an example. A full-time worker in Vancouver earning the minimum wage of $17.85 per hour makes about $2,856 a month. With the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment at $2,363, this highlights the significant gap between income and living costs, which is why many families need two incomes to cover their basic expenses.
Source: 2025 Rental Market Report – CMHC
The Forecast of Average Wages in British Columbia
From 2025 to 2035, British Columbia will face a shortage of workers due to an aging population. To support future economic growth and maintain tax revenue, it’s essential to involve underrepresented groups in the workforce and make the most of newcomers’ skills.
The Youth Generation
WorkBC’s 2025 Labour Market Outlook predicts around 1 to 1.052 million job openings in British Columbia from 2025 to 2035. A significant portion of these openings, 687,000 (65%), will be to replace retiring workers. Key sectors include health care and social assistance (approximately 199,200 openings) and professional, scientific, and technical services (approximately 162,200 openings).
Infrastructure projects will require 87,300 new workers, such as carpenters and electricians. According to the report, the most in-demand trades will include carpenters (10,420 openings), construction trades helpers (10,030 openings), and electricians (3,930 openings). As the pool of older workers shrinks, regions like the Okanagan and the Island may need to raise wages to attract younger workers who struggle with high housing costs.
Indigenous Workforce Participation
The Indigenous population in B.C. is young and growing quickly. The Labour Market Outlook highlights the need to boost economic participation among Indigenous communities, especially in remote areas. This inclusion is crucial for reconciliation and to address workforce needs in the future.
To make it happen, we need to focus on 3 initiatives:
Indigenous Relations Behavioural Competencies (IRBCs): The B.C. Public Service uses these competencies in hiring and promotions to create a safe workplace and keep Indigenous staff.
Internships: The Indigenous Youth Internship Program helps young Indigenous people gain experience in government and partner organizations, developing future leaders.
Resource Partnerships: Projects such as LNG Canada and mine expansions include agreements that require local First Nations to receive training and job opportunities, ensuring that local communities benefit from resource development.
Care and Green Economy Transition
The report also highlights growth in the Care Economy (health services) and Green Economy (clean technology). The Care Economy is growing due to an aging population, leading to increased demand for jobs like nurses, care aides, and social workers. At the same time, the Green Economy focuses on clean technology, creating jobs for environmental engineers, solar panel technicians, and sustainability policy advisors. This change indicates a shift in wage growth from resource jobs in the North to service and tech jobs in the South.
Impact of Average Salaries in British Columbia on Workers
British Columbia has a retention problem, and it’s rooted in pay. Inter-provincial and international income disparities have detrimental impacts on B.C. workers from a competitiveness and talent retention perspective.
With lower wages on offer, B.C. cities will struggle to attract qualified professionals, especially in high-demand fields like technology.
Vancouver’s tech talent is already being poached by firms south of the border that can pay substantially higher salaries.
Younger workers, in particular, show a willingness to relocate for higher incomes and greater affordability. They are moving to places where their income goes further and their financial future feels more secure. If B.C. is to avoid a long-term brain drain, we must make it financially viable for our best and brightest to build their lives here.
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 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
- Average Salaries in Alberta
Key takeaways
The strong growth of average salaries in British Columbia seems promising on the surface. However, looking closer shows ongoing problems, like inequality, geographic disparities, inflation erosion, and living wage gaps that hinder inclusivity. Understanding these patterns through reliable government and industry sources helps workers to make good career decisions in BC.
Disclaimer: Salary estimates can change and vary by role and hours. For decisions affecting your finances (like moving or changing jobs), consult official sources and professionals.
FAQs about average salaries in British Columbia
How does location impact salary in BC?
Location has a major impact on salaries in BC. Major urban centers like Vancouver and Victoria generally have the highest average wages, while smaller towns and rural areas lag behind. Cost of living and job concentration impact pay.
What sectors offer the best salary growth potential in British Columbia?
Sectors like technology, engineering, finance, healthcare, and skilled trades tend to see above-average salary growth in BC due to high demand. Public administration salaries also rose with recent hiring. Resource-based industries can be cyclical.
What benefits and perks commonly come with higher-paying jobs in BC?
Higher salaries in BC often come with additional benefits such as generous vacation and time-off, professional development stipends, health/dental coverage, retirement matching, car allowances, and flexibility.
What is the salary distribution like between urban and rural areas of BC?
Salaries tend to be higher in major metros, while smaller communities have lower nominal wages. However, real purchasing power may be higher in less populated areas with lower costs of living.
How much does specific experience impact expected salaries in BC?
More specialized experience/seniority can significantly boost salaries - potentially $20K-$40K+ between entry-level and expert roles in fields like tech, business, healthcare, etc.
Outside of occupation, what other factors influence earning potential in British Columbia?
Education level, employer size/type, specific skills, years of experience, certifications, networking, negotiation skills, and location all impact potential salary ranges.
