Canada has become an increasingly favoured destination for immigrants due to its reputation for high salaries, political stability, robust employment, and high quality of life. But what do “average salaries in Canada” really signify? Defining this provides an economic baseline. It helps benchmark salaries, inform career choices, guide financial planning, and reveal inequalities.
Still, averages don’t tell the whole story. To honestly assess, we must analyze income data by location, job, age, gender, and other factors. Segmenting averages reveals a richer narrative. This guide analyzes current income stats in Canada.
What is the Average Salary in Canada?
The average weekly earnings (including overtime) for all payroll employees in Canada are $1,312.16 weekly as of October 2025. These figures represent a 2.2% increase compared to the previous year, indicating rising wages across the country.
Part-time workers earn less on average than full-time employees. Over time, tips, bonuses, and commissions also enhance earnings above base salary levels.
Source: Payroll employment, earnings and hours, and job vacancies, October 2025 – Statistics Canada
Average Salaries in Canada By Province and Territory
Average annual salaries vary by province and territory due to different economic conditions. Before exploring each region, let’s check the average wage ranking across Canada in the table below:
| Rank | Province/Territory | Average salary per week (as of October 2025) |
| – | Canada | $1,312.16 |
| 1 | Nunavut | $1,774.16 |
| 2 | Northwest Territories | $1,753.40 |
| 3 | Yukon | $1,514.94 |
| 4 | Ontario | $1,357.26 |
| 5 | Alberta | $1,353.54 |
| 6 | British Columbia | $1,310.62 |
| 7 | Newfoundland and Labrador | $1,293.43 |
| 8 | Saskatchewan | $1,277.40 |
| 9 | Quebec | $1,259.63 |
| 10 | New Brunswick | $1,193.47 |
| 11 | Nova Scotia | $1,179.42 |
| 12 | Manitoba | $1,177.18 |
| 13 | PEI | $1,141.86 |
British Columbia
- BC Average Salary (weekly): $1,310.62
- Job Sectors: Forestry, mining, oil and gas, technology, tourism
- Income Growth: 1.7% from 2024 to 2025
With its thriving technology hub in Vancouver and wealth of natural resources, British Columbia offers among the highest average salaries in Canada. However, housing affordability in Vancouver somewhat lowers real wages.
Alberta
- Alberta Average Salary (weekly): $1,353.54
- Job Sectors: Oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, agriculture
- Income Growth: 0.5% from 2024 to 2025
Alberta boasts the highest average wages in Canada outside the territories, buoyed by its robust oil and gas sector alongside manufacturing, agriculture, and construction. However, amidst recent economic challenges, the province saw slower income growth at just 0.5%.
Saskatchewan
- SK Average Salary (weekly): $1,277.40
- Job Sectors: Agriculture, mining, energy, manufacturing
- Income Growth: 3.3% from 2024 to 2025
Saskatchewan’s agriculture, mining, energy, and manufacturing sectors support average weekly earnings of $1,277.40. Incomes grew 3.3% from 2024 to 2025, indicating solid wage growth premised on the province’s commodities-based economy.
Manitoba
- Manitoba Average Salary (weekly): $1,177.18
- Job Sectors: Agriculture, manufacturing, mining, hydroelectricity
- Income Growth: 1.8% from 2024 to 2025
Manitoba’s average salary of $1,177.18 is lower than that of its western neighbours but is still supported by manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and hydropower. A 1.8% spike in income growth in 2024 points to a strengthening provincial economy.
Ontario
- Ontario Average Salary (weekly): $1,357.26
- Job Sectors: Manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, engineering
- Income Growth: 2.9% from 2024 to 2025
As Canada’s economic engine, Ontario workers earn an average of $1,357.26 every week. They are concentrated in lucrative sectors like manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and technology, primarily centred in the Greater Toronto Area.
Quebec
- Quebec Average Salary (weekly): $1,259.63
- Job Sectors: Manufacturing, engineering, banking/finance, IT
- Income Growth: 2.0% from 2024 to 2025
Quebec’s average annual salary of $1,259.63 is supported by strong manufacturing, engineering, finance, and tech sectors. Montreal serves as the economic hub. Moderate income growth of 2.0% in 2025 reflects Quebec’s recent economic resurgence.
New Brunswick
- New Brunswick Average Salary (weekly): $1,193.47
- Job Sectors: Manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, forestry
- Income Growth: 2.1% from 2024 to 2025
New Brunswick reported a substantial 2.1% increase in average incomes, now averaging $1,193.47 weekly. Rural economic decline has severely hampered wages in manufacturing, fisheries, farming and forestry sectors.
Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia Average Salary (weekly): $1,179.42
- Job Sectors: Fishing, agriculture, manufacturing, forestry
- Income Growth: 3.5% from 2024 to 2025
With average earnings of $1,179.42, Nova Scotia was also impacted by economic headwinds, with wages growing 3.5% in 2025. Agriculture, fishing, manufacturing and forestry are the leading provincial employers.
Prince Edward Island
- PEI Average Salary (weekly): $1,141.86
- Job Sectors: Agriculture, fishing, tourism
- Income Growth: 4.3% from 2024 to 2025
P.E.I. saw a strong 4.3% salary growth in 2025, averaging $1,141.86 weekly. As Canada’s smallest province, agriculture, fishing, and tourism dominate the seasonal, service-oriented economy.
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Newfoundland and Labrador Average Salary (weekly): $1,293.43
- Job Sectors: Fishing, mining, oil and gas
- Income Growth: 4.0% from 2024 to 2025
Major resource industries like mining, oil, fishing, and mineral extraction support Newfoundland and Labrador’s average salary of $1,293.43. A 4.0% income increase in 2025 indicates a strengthening provincial market.
Yukon
- Yukon Average Salary (weekly): $1,514.94
- Job Sectors: Mining, oil and gas extraction, forestry, tourism
- Income Growth: 3.2% from 2024 to 2025
The remote Yukon reported a strong 3.2% salary growth in 2025, averaging $1,514.94 per week. Mining and oil/gas drive higher wages in the north but require acceptance of remote camp work.
Northwest Territories
- Northwest Territories Average Salary (weekly): $1,753.40
- Job Sectors: Mining, oil and gas, government services
- Income Growth: 0.8% from 2024 to 2025
The Northwest Territories’ small but lucrative economy produces an average salary of $1,753.40. Mining and oil/gas operations pay high wages in the north but require fly-in/fly-out camp work, while government services offer stable public-sector employment. A 0.8% income increase was reported in 2025.
Nunavut
- Nunavut Average Salary (weekly): $1,774.16
- Job Sectors: Mining, public administration
- Income Growth: 0.8% from 2024 to 2025
Nunavut has Canada’s highest average salary, at $1,774.16, supported primarily by lucrative mining jobs and public-sector roles serving its small population. Besides, a 0.8% wage boost was reported in 2025, indicating potential improvements in labour market conditions.
Note: This is the average weekly pay for employees, including overtime. It does not include self-employed workers and differs from annual salary.
Average Salaries in Canada by Industry
Canada’s diverse industrial landscape leads to major differences in average pay across sectors. Based on Statistics Canada data, here are the key industries with the highest and lowest earning potential as of October 2025:
Highest-Paying Industries
| Industry | Average Weekly Salary |
| Mining, quarrying, oil and gas | $2,539.57 |
| Utilities | $2,293.39 |
| Information and cultural industries | $1,884.84 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | $1,879.64 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | $1,861.71 |
| Public administration | $1,696.40 |
Lowest-Paying Industries
| Industry | Average Weekly Salary |
| Accommodation and food services | $522.95 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | $732.19 |
| Trade | $957.43 |
| Other services (except public administration) | $1,096.89 |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | $1,114.57 |
| Health care and social assistance | $1,165.87 |
The highest-paying sector of mining, oil and gas extraction, relies heavily on remote camp work and attracts premium wages. Professional services also pay well due to the high demand for niche expertise like law, accounting, and consulting.
Public administration offers attractive salaries with benefits due to its concentration on government and public service roles. Low-paying industries are characterized by high part-time and entry-level work with minimal requirements.
Average Salaries in Canada by Major Occupations
Beyond location and industry, specific occupations greatly influence earning potential in Canada. Those working in lucrative fields such as medicine, law, engineering, management, or finance enjoy far higher lifetime earnings than the average salary.
Here are the average annual salaries for some of Canada’s top high-paying professional roles:
- Cardiologist: $600,000 to $800,000
- Respirologist: $400,000 to $600,000
- Family physician: $400,000
- Anesthetist: $350,000 to $400,000
- Security service manager: $285,000 to $375,000
- Emergency physician: $300,000 to $350,000
- Computer science professor – university: $130,147 to $174,403
- Cloud engineer: $134,000
- Manufacturing manager: $108,800 to $150,000
Conversely, many everyday jobs in retail, food service, care work, trades, and clerical roles pay far below national averages. Here are typical hourly incomes for some of Canada’s lowest-earning occupations:
- Production supervisor: food and beverage processing: $58,240 to $64,064
- Instrumental music teacher: private, conservatory or studio lessons: $57,600
- Early childhood educator (ECE): $57,600
- Marketing specialist: $57,600
- Food services manager: $57,595.20
- Restaurant assistant manager: $57,096
- Restaurant manager: $51,000
- Assistant manager, restaurant: $41,000
Source: Job Bank
Average Salaries in Canada by Age Group
Age is another crucial determinant of earnings in Canada. Incomes rise steadily as Canadians gain skills, experience, and seniority in the workforce before declining again in retirement.
Here are the annual income averages by age segment:
- 16 to 24 years old: $17,300
- 25 to 34 years old: $46,900
- 35 to 44 years old: $63,700
- 45 to 54 years old: $66,700
- 55 to 64 years old: $54,600
- 65 years and older: $22,600
Source: What Is the Average Canadian Salary By Age Group? – ca.indeed.com
Incomes peak for Canadians aged 45 to 54, in their prime earning years. Workers start gaining career traction in their 30s before hitting high points in their 40s and 50s. Retirees over 65 see the most significant income drop-off.
However, generational differences also come into play. For example, pre-retirement workers often see a drop in income before retirement, while those 65 and older earn about $22,600 a year. These declines are due to shorter work hours, moving to part-time jobs, and retiring from the workforce.
Average Salaries in Canada by Gender
Men in Canada still earn more than women, but the pay gap has been decreasing over the last 20 years. The gender pay gap continues to be a significant issue in Canada.
As of 2024, women earn about 86 cents for every dollar a man makes, which is a 13.9% wage gap. The gap is larger for Black, Indigenous, and other racialized women. Although education helps reduce the gap, it doesn’t completely close it; even educated women earn less than men. This gap is smaller for younger workers and larger for older workers, and it varies across industries and groups.
This difference stems from systemic biases, gender imbalances in high-paying fields, more women in part-time low-paying roles, a lack of flexible work arrangements, a lack of childcare support, and other inequality factors.
The gender gap is slightly narrower for younger Canadians, at 5.9%. However, it increases significantly for middle-aged workers, peaking at 18.3% for those with postsecondary education below a bachelor’s degree.
Source: Average earnings, 2024 – www150.statcan.gc.ca
Canada has made some progress in reducing gender pay inequity over the decades, but still lags behind leading countries, especially in higher-earning occupations.
Comparing Salaries and Cost of Living in Canada
While average salaries provide helpful benchmarks, weighing earnings against the relative cost of living is crucial to assess Canadians’ real purchasing power and standard of living. For better salary-to-cost ratios, workers should consider provinces with lower living costs compared to wages.
Some insights on incomes adjusted for living costs include:
- While Canada’s average annual salary is approximately $67,600, Canadians enjoy universal healthcare coverage, boosting real disposable income.
- Canadian salaries go significantly further when factoring in free public K-12 education and affordable post-secondary tuition compared to the US.
- After converting currencies and accounting for taxes, childcare, transportation, and housing costs, the average Canadian salary affords a comfortable, middle-class lifestyle.
- However, major cities like Toronto and Vancouver, with hot real estate markets and steep housing costs, have lower real wages, highlighting income disparities.
Internationally, Canada boasts higher average earnings adjusted for living costs than economically comparable nations like the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. Salaries are on par with countries like Germany, but still trail top-tier destinations like Switzerland and the United States in nominal terms. However, Canada’s progressive social programs help partially offset this gap for the average worker.
Factors Affecting Salaries in Canada
Understanding these important factors gives us a clearer picture of what influences salary differences.
Education and Skills
Higher levels of education and specialized skills correlate strongly with higher earnings. Workers with university and college degrees or diplomas in high-demand fields generally earn more than those with only a high school education. Specific expertise also commands greater compensation.
Years of Experience
Salaries increase with each year of accumulated experience and tenure in a particular role or industry. Seasoned employees develop more in-demand abilities and organizational knowledge. Some jobs also have structured pay bumps tied to the length of employment.
Industry
Given major differences in profitability, value generation, risk, and skill requirements, salaries diverge enormously between industries. Finance, technology, healthcare, and engineering sectors provide above-average compensation, while retail, food service, and recreation offer lower pay.
Geographic Location
Where workers live significantly impacts their earnings potential. Major urban centers with high living costs also offer more high-paying jobs to compensate. Economically vibrant provinces like Alberta and Ontario boast higher provincial wage averages.
Union Membership
Unionized employees typically negotiate higher base pay and benefits through collective bargaining agreements than non-unionized staff in similar roles. Unionized employees earned $37.26/hour, while non-union employees earned $34.30/hour, which is about a 9% premium for unionized workers.
Public vs. Private Sector
The private sector generally offers higher pay potential, particularly at senior levels. Profit-driven firms can provide higher compensation to attract and retain talent. In 2024, public-sector employees earned an average of $40.83 per hour, while private-sector workers earned $33.35 per hour. This difference is due to higher educational attainment and public-sector job types.
Company Size
In general, larger companies have greater resources for higher salaries and more generous benefits than small businesses. Multinational corporations headquartered in Canada offer very lucrative compensation packages.
Management vs. Non-Management
Managerial and professional positions earn substantial pay premiums relative to administrative or frontline service roles. The highest salaries are concentrated at senior executive levels responsible for overall strategy and operations.
Supply and Demand Conditions
When demand is high, but supply is low for specific skill sets or roles, salaries escalate accordingly. Similarly, economic boom periods tighten labour markets and place upward pressure on wages.
Real Wages vs Nominal Wages
This guide looks at average salaries, but it’s essential to also think about how inflation affects your real earnings or purchasing power. If inflation is high, even if your salary goes up (like a 2.2% increase), it might not mean you can buy more if prices are rising faster.
Canadians should pay attention to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from Statistics Canada to see how their real wages change over time, helping them understand if their standard of living is actually improving.
Disclaimer: This page provides information using Statistics Canada’s SEPH AWE as a guide for average salary. Actual pay can differ based on hours worked, job type, contract type, and benefits, and numbers may be updated by StatCan.
The bottom line
While nationwide statistics provide a baseline, detailed breakdowns tell a fuller story. Your job, location, experience level, education, demographics, and household size mainly define your income and purchasing power. Benchmarking against incomes across Canada can help put your earnings and standard of living into perspective.
FAQs on average salaries in Canada
How much do engineers make in Canada?
The average salary for engineers in Canada is around $93,634 per year. However, it can range from $72,500 for entry level engineers to $122,518 for senior engineering roles.
Which province has the highest average salary in Canada?
Nunavut has the highest average annual salary in Canada at $87,355 as of 2021, followed by Northwest Territories at $77,670. These northern territories have lucrative natural resource jobs that pull up average wages.
Which jobs pay the most in Canada?
The highest paying jobs in Canada are generally concentrated in medicine, engineering, technology, finance and senior management. Examples include specialist physicians, dentists, petroleum engineers, IT managers and senior finance managers.
What factors affect salary levels in Canada?
Education, skills, experience, industry, location, union membership, company size, occupation type, negotiation skills and labor supply/demand dynamics all influence individual salary levels across Canada.
How does cost of living impact salaries in Canada?
Major metro regions with high costs of living like Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary generally have higher average salaries to compensate. However, this also reduces real wage purchasing power in these cities. Smaller cities offer reduced living expenses while maintaining reasonable access to amenities, creating favourable salary-to-cost ratios for flexible workers.
Which professionals have the highest salaries in Canada?
Healthcare, pharmaceutical and social services, engineering, banking, finance and insurance are among the very highest paid professionals in Canada, generally earning over $100,000 annually.
How does minimum wage impact average salaries?
Minimum wage increases raise earnings for lower income Canadians but also put upward pressure on overall average salaries as businesses must maintain pay scales above rising wage floors.
Are public or private sector salaries higher?
In 2024, public-sector employees earned an average of $40.83 per hour, compared to $33.35 per hour in the private sector. This difference is attributed to higher education levels and job types in the public sector. (Source from Statistics Canada, ‘Average earnings, 2024,’ released Aug 18, 2025)
