Spanning over 1.3 million km2, the remote and rugged Northwest Territories are sparsely populated, with only around 45,000 residents. However, this territory contains rich natural resources, including oil, gas, diamonds, gold, and other minerals, which drive much of the economy and job market.
This extensive guide will analyze average salaries in Northwest Territories and examine how location, experience level, education, in-demand roles, and other key factors affect income potential.
What are the Average Wages in Northwest Territories?
Based on data from the, the average weekly wage in the Northwest Territories is approximately $1,753.40 as of October 2025, across all occupations. This represents a year-over-year increase of 0.8% compared to the previous year, making it one of the highest-earning areas in Canada.
Compared to the national average weekly salary of $1,312.16, wages in the Northwest Territories are higher. This is due to isolation, harsh weather, and high living costs, which means they need to offer better pay to attract workers. However, incomes vary substantially by job type, experience level, location, education, and other factors that we’ll analyze in detail throughout this guide.
This wide bracket suggests strong opportunities exist to maximize salaries well above the territorial average by developing in-demand expertise and pursuing high-paying careers in industries such as mining, healthcare, construction, engineering, and more that thrive in the Northwest Territories economy.
Average Salaries in Northwest Territories for Highest Paying Jobs
According to the latest wage data from the Government of Canada Job Bank for the Northwest Territories, the following occupations have some of the highest typical wages. The Job Bank provides hourly wage ranges (low, median, high) based on Statistics Canada surveys and other methods for smaller populations.
Here is the list of he top 10 highest-paying jobs in the Northwest Territories:
| Occupation (NOC) | Median wage in NWT | Wage range |
| Supervisors, mining and quarrying (82020) | $58.63/hour | $34.29 – $90.48/hour |
| Human resources managers (10011) | $68.57/hour | $51.43 – $87.68/hour |
| Facility operation and maintenance managers (70012) | $63.05/hour | $41.18 – $85.38/hour |
| Underground production and development miners (83100) | $44.32/hour | $26.17 – $82.28/hour |
| Construction managers (70010) | $63.46/hour | $44.37 – $80.74/hour |
| Electrical power line and cable workers (72203) | $66.32/hour | $39.38 – $78.51/hour |
| Heavy‑duty equipment mechanics (often used in mining) (72401) | $52.22/hour | $32.87 – $82.01/hour |
| Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (31301) | $58.00/hour | $45.00 – $69.23/hour |
| Heavy equipment operators (73400) | $43.73/hour | $26.80 – $64.01/hour |
| Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (72021) | $48.67/hour | $32.56 – $63.64/hour |
Source: Wages in Northwest Territories – Job Bank
How is the Economy in the Northwest Territories?
The economy of the Northwest Territories is changing. For the last thirty years, diamond mines have been the main source of economic activity. Now that these mines are nearing their closure, the economy is shrinking, leading to decreases in production, exports, and private investment.
In 2024, the Northwest Territories saw a 3.4% drop in jobs, losing 800 positions and reaching a total of 22,900 employed people. As of December 2025, the NWT had 22,200 workers and a 62.9% employment rate, down 1.9% from last year.
Even though the GDP in Northwest Territories declined in 2025, the economy is not entirely bleak. The labour force is resilient, and household spending should stay strong due to stable jobs, rising wages, and lower inflation. As of October 2025, the average weekly earnings are the second‑highest in Canada, and wages are expected to keep increasing.
The Government of Northwest Territories approved over $37 million in funding for health services in 2026-27. This includes designing a 34-bed long-term care facility in Hay River, the Tulita HSSC, the Yellowknife Wellness & Recovery Centre, and upgrading equipment. They also announced support for the diamond sector in late 2025 to help with industry issues.
Forecast for the Most In-Demand Jobs in Northwest Territories
Looking ahead, most job openings in the Northwest Territories will come from replacing workers who retire or leave, rather than from new jobs being created. It is expected that there will be 13,434 job openings by 2040, with about 69% of these requiring post-secondary education or significant work experience.
The highest demand for jobs will be in essential services like healthcare, education, public administration, and social services. Skilled trades will also be important for ongoing infrastructure projects and community maintenance.
The tables below show key in-demand jobs in various sectors, along with wage details from the Government of Canada’s Job Bank.
| NOC 2016 | NOC 2021 | Projected openings (2018-2027) | Typical wage in NWT |
| School teachers & educational counsellors (403) | Elementary school & kindergarten teachers (41221) | 785 | 41221: $61.06/hour (median); range $34.62-$74.36/hour |
| Administrative & regulatory occupations (122) | Administrative officers (13100) | 750 | 13100: $38.50/hour (median); range $30.00-$61.00/hour |
| Cleaners (673) | Light duty cleaners (65310) | 675 | 65310: $21.00/hour (median); range $16.95-$26.00/hour |
| Policy & program researchers, consultants & officers (416) | Social policy researchers/consultants/program officers (41403) | 635 | 41403: $56.25/hour (median); range $38.00-$72.00/hour |
| Paraprofessionals in legal, social, community & education (421) | Social & community service workers (42201) | 605 | 42201: $32.00/hour (median); range $16.95-$45.75/hour |
| Motor vehicle & transit drivers (751) | Transport truck drivers (73300); Bus/transit operators (73301) | 575 | 73300: $30.00/hour (median); range $25.00-$40.00/hour;73301: $28.20/hour (median); range $19.97-$34.59/hour |
| Home care providers & educational support (441) | Home support workers/caregivers (44101); Teacher assistants (43100) | 500 | 44101: $33.92/hour (median); range $23.00-$41.94/hour;43100: $36.00/hour (median); range $27.00-$43.75/hour |
| General office workers (141) | General office support workers (14100) | 490 | 14100: $29.81/hour (median); range $20.00-$42.00/hour |
| Legislators & Senior Management (001) | Senior government managers & officials (00011); Legislators (00010) | 430 | 00011: $78.22/hour (median); range $57.13-$143.08/hour;00010 (Legislators): $124,000/year (median) |
| Retail salespersons (642) | Retail salespersons & visual merchandisers (64100) | 405 | 64100: $20.00/hour (median); range $16.95-$25.00/hour |
Source: Occupational Demand Projections – NWT Bureau of Statistics
How Experience and Education Impact Average Salaries in the Northwest Territories
Territorial projections show that most job openings until 2027 will need post-secondary education or significant experience, especially for higher-paying roles. What this means for employees and employers is:
- University degrees and management positions tend to offer the highest wages.
- College and apprenticeship pathways also provide good earnings, especially in skilled trades and technical jobs.
- Within the same field, moving from support roles to regulated or supervisory positions usually leads to higher pay due to extra training and experience.
In addition, a 2025 study from Statistics Canada showed that in Yellowknife, Indigenous people with a bachelor’s degree or higher earned 8.4% more than non-Indigenous people. This important finding highlights that, even though pay gaps persist, obtaining advanced education is a valuable way for everyone in the territory to increase their earning potential in the local job market.
Overall, these official figures demonstrate that while gaining years of on-the-job experience is valuable, the pathway to maximizing your salary potential in the Northwest Territories is strongly linked to pursuing post-secondary education, whether through a trade, college, or university. These credentials provide the specialized expertise highly valued in the territory’s unique job market.
Cost of Living Considerations in Northwest Territories
When evaluating the earning power, it’s important to consider the high cost of living. In October 2025, Yellowknife’s CPI increased by 1.7% compared to the previous year. At the same time, the national Average Wage Earnings (AWE) rose by 2.2%, and the Northwest Territories’ AWE went up by 0.8%. This shows mixed trends in local real wages.
Generally, prices for basic necessities like housing, food, and transportation run well above national averages throughout the territory due to the remoteness of communities and the need to import many everyday goods by air or winter roads.
Housing represents one of the highest living costs. The Job Bank’s report highlights a “lack of affordable housing” as a continuing problem. This shortage increases the costs of renting and buying homes, causing many residents to spend a large part of their income on housing.
Salaries in the Northwest Territories might seem high compared to other areas in Canada, but the cost of living is also much higher, which limits purchasing power. People thinking about moving there should research and budget for these higher costs to understand their financial situation.
Job Satisfaction and Salary Perceptions in NWT
Despite the high cost of living, workers in the Northwest Territories tend to be relatively satisfied with their salary potential, though perceptions vary by occupation. According to the Government of Northwest Territories, the minimum wage in Northwest Territories is $16.95 per hour, effective September 1, 2025, lower than the Canadian average.
According to the GNWT, 68.8% of respondents felt they were satisfied with the opportunities and resources in the workplace. Employee behaviour is increasingly focused on achieving a work-life balance. Regardless, many low-wage workers feel that the annual increase in the minimum wage is too low and does not keep pace with the high cost of living. In contrast, employers think the increase is too high, showing a big difference in views between employees and businesses.
Job satisfaction among government employees in the NWT shows mixed results. According to the 2023 GNWT Employee Engagement and Satisfaction Survey, satisfaction scores have dropped in all areas since 2021. The lowest area was “Development,” which looks at career growth and recognition.
However, there are positive signs as well. The survey showed that 87.4% of GNWT employees believe their job aligns well with their skills and interests. This indicates that while issues like pay and recognition may lead to dissatisfaction, many employees still find their daily work engaging and a good fit for their abilities.
Overall, though, most residents feel their average salaries in the Northwest Territories are fair and in line with national averages, particularly those employed in high-demand sectors related to the territory’s resource extraction economy and public administration. But there is room for improvement.
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 Ontario
- Average Salaries in British Columbia
- Average Salaries in Prince Edward Island
- Average Salaries in Nova Scotia
- Average Salaries in Yukon
- Average Salaries in Quebec
- Average Salaries in Alberta
Key Takeaways and Summary
To summarize, NWT workers earn significantly more than their counterparts in the south. Here are 5 key takeaways for you to remember:
- Average weekly earnings in NWT reached $1,753.40.
- Jobs in management (especially in mining, human resources, and construction) and specialized trades (such as power line workers) offer the highest salaries.
- Gaining experience and education is essential for reaching higher pay, with post-secondary degrees providing a good return on investment.
- There is high demand for healthcare and social assistance roles, which pay well because of their importance.
- Despite higher incomes, the high cost of living, especially for housing and food, reduces real purchasing power.
As a result, to achieve financial success in the NWT, workers should focus on career paths in high-demand areas like public administration, healthcare, skilled trades, and resource extraction.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is based on reliable sources like the Northwest Territories Bureau of Statistics and Statistics Canada as of January 2026. However, we cannot guarantee that the information is always accurate or up-to-date, as economic data frequently changes. The content is not professional financial, career, tax, or legal advice. It’s important to consult a qualified professional before making any decisions based on this information.
FAQs related to average salaries in the Northwest Territories
Why do some cities and towns have higher average salaries?
Smaller, remote northern towns often offer higher salaries to attract and keep workers. Communities near major resource extraction projects, like mines, also tend to have more high-paying jobs, raising the local average. However, these higher wages usually come with a much higher cost of living, especially for housing, food, and transportation.
How can you maximize your salary potential in the territory?
To increase your salary, gain specialized skills and experience in high-demand fields. Currently, the best opportunities are in healthcare (like nursing), public administration (senior government roles), skilled trades (such as heavy equipment operators and powerline workers), and management in mining and construction.
