Average Salaries in Ontario: What Factors Influence Wages?

With over 16 million residents as of July 1, 2025, Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and a significant engine of the country’s economy. Understanding average salaries in Canada and how they vary across provinces provides valuable insights for both job seekers and employers in diverse job markets

This in-depth guide examines average salaries in Ontario from multiple angles, using the latest available data on differences in pay by occupation, region, sector, experience, education, and other factors.

What Are The Average Salaries in Ontario?

According to the Government of Ontario’s official Labour Market Report, the average hourly salary for all occupations in Ontario is $38.68 as of October 2025. This figure translates to an annual average wage of $80,454.40 (=$38.68 x 40 hours x 52 weeks).

It places Ontario above the national average hourly earnings of $37.06 for the same month. The wage also surpasses that of many other Canadian provinces, positioning Ontario as a high-wage area.

However, as we will explore, these Ontario-wide figures only tell part of the story, as salaries vary significantly by region, occupation, experience, and other factors.

Note: This is an average hourly wage from the Labour Force Survey. When it's converted to annual income, it assumes a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week for 52 weeks. It’s meant to serve as a general benchmark rather than reflecting what every worker makes.

What Factors Influence Average Salaries in Ontario?

When researching and comparing salaries for different occupations in Ontario, keep in mind that 6 intersecting factors influence pay:

Experience Level

As a general rule, more experience translates to higher pay in Ontario. While an accounting associate may start at $45,000, an experienced controller can earn up to $90,000 with 5+ years under their belt. The impact of experience varies by field.

Location

Salaries vary widely across Ontario. Major cities like those in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and tech hubs like Kitchener-Waterloo tend to offer higher pay to match their higher living costs.

For instance, imagine a single person needs over $98,000 to live comfortably in Toronto. Meanwhile, cities in Northern and Western Ontario generally have lower salaries but also lower living costs, which can be financially beneficial in a different way.

Occupation and Specialization

Field of work and specialization are the primary drivers of pay differences in Ontario. Examine options tailored to your interests and strengths both within and across occupations.

Education and Credentials

Advanced degrees, designations, certifications, and specialized training open doors to higher-paying occupations and leadership roles.

Company Size and Industry

Bigger firms and corporations typically offer above-average compensation, especially in sectors like finance and tech. Public sector jobs also boast strong benefits.

Labour Supply and Demand

When demand exceeds supply for certain skill sets, pay scales upward. Currently, shortages of nurses and trades workers are benefiting salaries.

Consider all these dynamics when researching salaries and setting expectations in Ontario.

For example, a software developer with 5 years of experience at a big tech company in the Kitchener-Waterloo area can earn over $130,000 due to high demand and the cost of living. In contrast, a developer with the same experience working for a small non-profit in a place like Thunder Bay might make around $85,000. 

What Are the Highest-Paying Occupations and Fields in Ontario?

Beyond location, the occupation or industry type is one of Ontario’s strongest determinants of salary levels.

Some of the province’s highest-paying professions and specializations are:

Note: Physicians and judges are excluded because their wages are reported annually rather than hourly.

Medical specializations dominate the highest-paying roles, with average annual salaries ranging from $76,960 ($37 x 40 hours x 52 weeks) to over $156,000 ($75 x 40 hours x 52 weeks).

Some senior management roles command strong annual rates exceeding $325,000 ($156.25 x 40 hours x 52 weeks). For IT and engineering managers, the highest annual salaries range from about $ 213,324.80 ($102.56 x 40 hours x 52 weeks) to $223,995.20 ($107.69 x 40 hours x 52 weeks).

Lawyers in Ontario earn different salaries based on experience, specialization, and firm size. Mid-career lawyers usually make around $129,896 ($62.45 x 40 hours x 52 weeks), while top earners in big firms can make up to $220,688 ($106.10 x 40 hours x 52 weeks). To practice law in Ontario, you need a JD or equivalent, pass the licensing exams, and complete an articling position or the Law Practice Program.

Additionally, elevator mechanics can earn up to $141,440 annually at top rates. Power system electricians and railway engineers also command premium wages exceeding $100,000 for experienced workers.

In almost all cases, the highest-paying Ontario occupations require extensive education, training, skills, and experience. Specialized technical expertise and professional designations elevate pay substantially above the average salary.

At the other end of the spectrum, Ontario’s minimum wage sets the lower boundary for compensation. The general minimum wage in Ontario is $17.60 per hour from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, one of the highest rates among all Canadian provinces. 

Source: Wages in Ontario – Job Bank

Which Occupations Are Most In Demand in Ontario?

In addition to the top-paying roles covered above, it’s also helpful to understand salaries for Ontario’s most in-demand occupations. Even if they pay less than fields like medicine and law, these jobs are actively hiring and offer strong employment opportunities across the province.

In addition to high-paying jobs, it’s helpful to know which occupations are in demand. The Government of Ontario regularly highlights careers with strong job prospects. Key in-demand fields include:

Note: The figures show the low, median, and high hourly wages for Ontario according to Job Bank. Actual pay can vary based on location, experience, employer, and collective agreements.

Still, healthcare roles such as Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) remain in high demand and continue to be pillars of the healthcare system. And, the growing technology sector needs Software Developers and Programmers, who earn some of the highest salaries. 

Furthermore, Personal Support Workers (PSWs) are crucial in community and long-term care, especially as the population ages. Interestingly, General Practitioners and Family Physicians are also highly sought after, but their pay is typically listed as an annual salary due to payment methods (e.g., fee-for-service).

While not matching the peak salaries of specialized occupations, these in-demand jobs offer abundant openings and career growth and can serve as entry points into the job market.

Example: A mid-career Registered Nurse in Toronto moving from a hospital to a public health unit can expect a base salary of around $45.00 per hour. This public health position often includes a pension plan and good health benefits, which can increase total compensation by 20-30%. In comparison, a job at a private agency might pay $50-$55 per hour but typically offers fewer benefits, highlighting the trade-off between higher pay and long-term financial security.

Source: Wages in Ontario – Job Bank

Average Salaries in Ontario by Experience Level

Beyond specific occupations, experience level strongly influences average salaries in Ontario. Here is the experience progression in this province:

• Entry-level: Near minimum sectoral wages
• 5-10 years: Approach median occupation wages
• 15+ years: Access high wage brackets
• Specialized expertise commands premium rates

However, Ontario does not have one official salary table for all jobs. Instead, it’s better to look at wage percentiles (low, median, high) for each job and then categorize them into early-, mid-, and late-career ranges. Job Bank provides wage percentiles for many NOC groups for 2023-2024.

Average Salaries in Ontario by Industry Sector

Ontario’s diverse economy spans key sectors from services to manufacturing, resources, technology, finance, construction and more. Average pay can vary significantly across industries. According to VanHack, the variations between goods-producing and services-producing sectors are:

Source: Average Hourly Wage Rate in Ontario – VanHack

High demand for specialized skills and union presence lifts pay in capital-intensive sectors like utilities, mining and professional services.

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 Alberta
• Average Salaries in Saskatchewan
• Average Salaries in Manitoba
• Average Salaries in Nunavut
• Average Salaries in Northwest Territories
• Average Salaries in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Average Salaries in Nova Scotia

Key Takeaways on Average Salaries in Ontario

The Ontario job market’s average pay levels can swing significantly depending on occupational specialization, geography, experience, education, company size and industry dynamics. 7 key trends include:

• The overall average hourly salary across the province is approximately $38.68.
• Major urban centers, especially in Southwestern Ontario and the GTA, offer the highest average wages.
• The highest-paying occupations are concentrated in the fields of medicine, law, management, and technology.
• Experience, credentials, specialization, and seniority lead to higher pay for specific roles.
• Sectors like utilities and finance tend to compensate above the overall averages.
• University education and professional designations lift earning potential substantially.
• Larger companies have greater resources to offer higher salaries for top talent.

And in the future, the growing economy and changing population in Ontario promise that skilled workers are well-paid, especially if they can move to different locations for jobs.

Disclaimer: The salary figures in this article are from late 2025 and are for informational purposes only. Actual salaries can vary greatly depending on individual qualifications, location, employer, and market conditions. For the most up-to-date information, please check official sources like Statistics Canada and the Government of Ontario.

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