Average Salary in Canada: What You Should Know This Year

Introduction

Understanding average salaries in Canada provides a useful benchmark for both employers and employees. For employers, knowing typical salary ranges assists in determining compensation packages that attract talent at a competitive rate. Employees can leverage earnings data during salary negotiations and when evaluating new job opportunities.

This guide will explore key facets of the average salary in Canada, including:

• Average wages nationally and provincially
• Factors influencing salary variances
• The gender pay gap
• Highest paying occupations
• Salary growth trends
• International comparisons

Arm yourself with the latest salary insights to make informed employment decisions.

What is the Average Salary in Canada?

According to the most recent 2024 data from Statistics Canada, the average weekly wage for all Canadian employees in November 2024 is $1,301.36 CAD, compared to $1,254.66 CAD in November 2023. This average wage applies to employees aged 15 and over, encompassing both sexes and full-time as well as part-time workers.

Averages can be skewed by very high or low earners. The median salary provides the true middle ground. The median weekly wage for all Canadian employees in November 2024 is $1,153.80 CAD, compared to $1,100.00 CAD in November 2023.

To better understand earnings over the course of 2024 so far, the table below shows the average and median weekly wages for each month from January to November:

The total sum of the average weekly wages from January to November is $14,158.48. Dividing this sum by 11 months gives us the average weekly wage for the year so far, which is $1,287.13. In summary, the calculated average weekly wage for the first 11 months of 2024 based on the data available is $1,287.13 per week, or $66,930.76 per year. This provides an estimate of the average earnings per week for employees across Canada in 2024, excluding the month of December which does not yet have data available.

Canadian employees have seen steady wage growth so far in 2024, according to recent data. Analyzing the average weekly wages from January through November shows that workers took home approximately $1,287 per week on average. This represents a promising trend of rising incomes for employees across the country. With inflation weighing on household budgets, this uptick in weekly earnings provides a boost in purchasing power for many Canadians.

One notable data point is the median weekly wage, which has remained flat at $1,120 per week for the majority of the year, suggesting the average is being pulled up by gains at the top end. However, the overall picture shows paychecks grew moderately during 2024 to help consumers keep pace with the rising cost of living. Experts will be watching closely when December data becomes available to see if this wage growth trajectory continues through the end of the year.

When looking specifically at full-time employees, the average weekly wage in November 2024 is $1,487.69. For part-time employees, the average weekly wage is $419.32.

The monthly wage data further demonstrates the difference in earnings between full-time and part-time workers. It’s implied from the table that full-time employees earned an average of $6,446.66 in November, while part-time employees earned $1,817.05, only around 28% of their full-time counterparts.

The gap between these two groups illustrates the disparity between professional, well-compensated roles, which tend to be full-time, and more precarious service sector and hourly jobs, which make up a greater portion of part-time work. This variance highlights ongoing debates about the economic security of part-time workers and the need for policies that support equitable pay and benefits. Overall, the data reveals a sizeable advantage in both weekly and monthly earnings for full-time employees compared to part-time. Understanding national earnings averages provides helpful guidance when evaluating compensation.

What is the Average Salary in Canada by Province?

There is significant variation in average wages across Canada’s provinces and territories. Geography, population size, major industries, and cost of living all influence earning power.

The territories tend to have the highest provincial average salaries in Canada, largely due to concentrations of high-paying natural resource jobs. Provinces with large urban metropolises and diverse economies also report stronger provincial average wages in Canada. Rural regions that are more dependent on agriculture or fishing usually fall below the national average provincial salary in Canada.

Here’s an overview of the most recent data from Statistics Canada on average provincial wages in Canada, providing insights into the regional earning discrepancies:

Alberta

In November 2024, Alberta’s average weekly wage is $1,393.51, which amounts to an approximate monthly salary of $6,038.54.With its oil and gas sector, Alberta consistently reports some of the highest average wages among the provinces.

Full review: Average Salary in Alberta

Ontario

Ontario reports an average weekly wage of $1,365.63 in November 2024, which results in an average monthly salary of roughly $5,917.73. As Canada’s most populous province with a diverse, strong economy, Ontario boasts some of the highest average wages nationwide.

Full review: Average Salary in Ontario

British Columbia

In B.C., the average weekly wage in November 2024 is $1,317.49, equivalent to $5,709.12 on a monthly basis. With a strong economy driven by forestry, natural gas, and service industries, B.C. offers wages above the national average.

Read more: Average Salary in British Columbia

Newfoundland and Labrador

In November 2024, the average weekly wage in Newfoundland and Labrador is $1,270.37. This translates to a monthly average salary of approximately $5,504.94. Newfoundland has historically had lower wages, but the growth of oil and gas extraction has helped boost incomes.

Read more: Average Salary in Newfoundland and Labrador

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has an average weekly wage of $1,214.38 in November 2024. This translates to around $5,262.31 monthly. Agriculture and natural resources drive the economy, resulting in wages higher than in some provinces but below the national average.

Read more: What Is The Average Salary in Saskatchewan?

Quebec

In Quebec, the average weekly wage in November 2024 is $1,206.85. On a monthly basis, this equals an average salary of around $5,229.68. As a larger, more urban province focused on sectors like manufacturing, Quebec fares better wages but still remains below the national average.

Full review:: Average Salary in Quebec

New Brunswick

New Brunswick has an average weekly wage of $1,136.81 in November 2024, translating to a monthly average salary of approximately $4,926.18. As a smaller Maritime province, New Brunswick’s wages are depressed by challenges in industries like forestry and fishing.

Full review:: Average Salary in New Brunswick

Manitoba

In Manitoba, the average weekly wage is $1,140.40 in November 2024, equaling an average monthly salary of around $4,941.73. With a focus on agriculture, manufacturing and hydroelectric power, Manitoba falls in the middle of the pack on wages.

Full review:: Average Salary in Manitoba

Nova Scotia

In Nova Scotia, the average weekly wage is $1,141.63 in November 2024. This equals an average monthly salary of around $4,947.06. As a Maritime province focused on industries like fishing, forestry and agriculture, wages in Nova Scotia tend to fall below the national average.

Read more: Average Salary in Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island has an average weekly wage of $1,110.89 in November 2024. On a monthly basis, this equals around $4,813.86 on average. As a largely rural province focused on industries like agriculture, wages in PEI tend to be on the lower side.

Read more: Average Salary In Prince Edward Island (PEI)

What are the Average Salaries By Industry In Canada?

There are significant differences in average earnings across industries in Canada. High-paying sectors like mining and finance vastly outpace low-paying ones like retail and food services.

Here are the most recent updates on average salaries by industry in Canada for this November 2024:

• Agriculture: ~ $1,023.76/week or $4,436.29/month
• Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas: ~ $2,321.94/week or $10,061.74/month
• Utilities: ~ $2,108.38/week or $9,136.31/month
• Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing: ~ $1,606.93/week or $6,963.36/month
• Professional, scientific and technical services: ~ $1,850.16/week or $8,017.36/month
• Public administration: ~ $1,670.16/week or $7,237.36/month
• Transportation and warehousing: ~ $1,330.30/week or $5,764.63/month
• Educational services: ~ $1,325.67/week or $5,744.57/month
• Health care and social assistance: ~ $1,182.27/week or $5,123.17/month
• Construction: ~ $1,494.02/week or $6,474.09/month
• Manufacturing: ~ $1,366.54/week or $5,921.67/month
• Information, culture and recreation: ~ $1,118.16/week or $4,845.36/month
• Wholesale and retail trade: ~ $940.84/week or $4,076.97/month
• Accommodation and food services: ~ $598.97/week or $2,595.54/month

The highest-paying sector of mining, oil and gas extraction has a monthly salary almost four times as high as the lowest-paying sector of accommodation and food services. This massive discrepancy highlights the impact of industry on earning power in Canada.

Seven key factors drive the wide variances in average salaries across industries in Canada:

• Education and skill requirements – Knowledge-based industries like finance and professional services can offer higher pay to attract qualified talent.
• Value added – Manufacturing and utilities contribute substantial economic value, enabling higher compensation than lower-margin industries like food services.
• Labour union presence – Unionized sectors like construction generally have the higher collective bargaining power to negotiate better wages.
• Public vs private sector – Public administration roles tend to provide greater job security and benefits compared to many private roles.
• Location – Urban industries have elevated salaries due to higher living costs.
• Occupational hazards – Sectors with dangerous working conditions like mining compensate with higher pay.
• Supply and demand – Industries with high demand but limited qualified labour will raise wages to attract talent.

What are the Average Salaries by Occupation in Canada?

In addition to differences across industries, average wages in Canada also vary significantly by occupation. Some occupations requiring extensive training and education command much higher salaries than entry-level roles.

According to recent Statistics Canada data from 2023, here are the average salaries for broad occupational categories in Canada:

• Management occupations: : ~ $2,267.39/week or $9,825.36/month
• Business, finance and administration occupations: : ~ $1,194.90/week or $5,177.90/month
• Natural and applied sciences occupations: : ~ $1,717.99/week or $7,444.62/month
• Health occupations: : ~ $1,212.51/week or $5,254.21/month
• Occupations in education, law, and social services: : ~ $1,334.85/week or $5,784.35/month
• Occupations in art, culture, and recreation: : ~ $972.07/week or $4,212.30/month
• Sales and service occupations: : ~ $705.25/week or $3,056.08/month
• Trades, transport and equipment operator occupations: : ~ $1,257.03/week or $5,447.13/month
• Natural resources and agriculture occupations: : ~ $1,263.92/week or $5,476.99/month
• Manufacturing and utilities occupations: : ~ $1,093.33/week or $4,737.76/month

The highest paid management occupations earn over 3 times more than the lowest paid sales and service occupations on a monthly basis. This reflects large gaps in required qualifications and skills.

When looking at specific roles within the major categories, the discrepancies are even larger. For example, Corporate executives and specialist physicians can earn well over $200,000 annually, outpacing cashiers, labourers, and kitchen helpers by factors of 3 or even more.

What Factors Influence Salaries in Canada?

Many complex variables impact compensation levels and contribute to salary discrepancies between occupations in Canada.

Qualifications and Expertise

Completing an undergraduate university degree can boost earnings by 15% compared to only having a high school diploma. Master’s and professional degrees lead to even larger compensation premiums. IT certifications, trade accreditations, and specialized training also equip workers with valuable human capital that commands higher wages. Higher levels of qualifications and expertise drive increased salaries.

Experience

Each additional year of relevant work experience in a field results in increased pay ranging from 2-5%, depending on the role. This experience premium reflects the accumulation of specific job-related human capital. The maximum earnings potential is often achieved after approximately ten or more years in a career. Long-tenured, experienced employees earn substantially more than entry-level hires.

Industry and Occupation

There are innate differences in earning power across industries and occupations. Knowledge-based sectors like finance, technology, law, and healthcare compensate more highly than manual labor roles and industries like hospitality, retail, and food services. Supply and demand imbalances, profit margins, and skill necessities inherently vary.

Public vs. Private Sector

Government and public sector jobs typically offer greater job security, benefits, and work-life balance compared to the private sector. However, base cash compensation may be lower, especially at senior levels. Profitability and bonuses tend to be higher in the private sector.

Location

Geographic differences lead to major salary variances. Industries concentrated in high-cost-of-living urban areas like Toronto or Vancouver pay more due to elevated housing costs. Remote rural jobs lag behind. Local economic conditions also impact regional salaries within provinces.

Demographics

Personal demographics influence compensation discrepancies. Aspects like gender, age, ethnicity, disability status, and family obligations intersect with pay. While equal pay legislation exists, gaps persist.

Negotiation Ability

An individual’s negotiation skills, confidence, and persuasiveness impact starting offers and raises. Two people being hired for the exact same role may end up with different salaries based on their personal negotiating differences.

In summary, a wide range of complex education, experience, industry, geographic, demographic, and interpersonal factors contribute to the salary variances across occupations in Canada. Understanding these drivers provides helpful context.

Is there a Gender Wage Gap in Canada?

Latest data in November 2024 shows that Canadian women continue to earn significantly less on average than men across industries. For both full-time and part-time employees aged 15 and over, the average weekly wage for males is $1,453.14 compared to just $1,143.36 for females. This results in a wage gap of approximately 27%. The ratio of male to female wages is 1.27:1, meaning males earn 27% more than females on average in this case.

This substantial and persistent earnings inequality stems from a variety of factors, including gender discrimination and bias, undervaluation of female-dominated roles, lack of pay transparency, unequal family care duties, lower female representation in high-paying fields, and differences in career breaks and negotiation tactics.

Closing the gender wage gap remains an important challenge in achieving pay equity and workplace equality in Canada. Ongoing advocacy, legislation, diversity initiatives, pay transparency, and family-friendly policies all have a role to play in narrowing the discrepancies in male and female earnings over time.

What are the Canadian Salary Growth Trends?

Analyzing average wage data over the past two decades provides insights into the growth trajectory of Canadian salaries. From 2002 to 2023, the average weekly wage for all employees climbed 80.8% from $650.12 to $1,174.82.

This represents an average annual salary increase of approximately 3.0% per year over the 20-year period. However, growth has not followed a perfectly linear path.

The most rapid salary growth occurred between 2006 and 2008 when average weekly earnings rose 7.8% from $743.85 to $803.03. This was fueled by a strong resource and commodities boom.

Conversely, the slowest wage growth happened between 2009 and 2010 during the global financial crisis, increasing just 1.9% from $825.58 to $841.56 weekly.

Wage growth trends closely mirror wider macroeconomic conditions. Salary stagnation during recessions gives way to faster pay increases when labour markets tighten in periods of strong expansion and low unemployment.

Understanding historical context helps set appropriate expectations for future Canadian salary growth trajectories.

What are the Average Annual Salaries by Country?

Comparing average annual salaries across countries provides an international perspective on compensation levels. According to the most recent 2023 data from OECD, here are the average annual wages for the top 10 highest-earning countries:

The data shows the top salary globally is Luxembourg at $85,526 USD annually. Iceland  ranks second at $81,378 USD. The figures reflect the average annual wages in select economically advanced nations.

Canada ranks 11th, falling just outside the 10 countries profiled, with an average salary of $63,398 USD. This puts us ahead of major European economies like Germany and France, but well behind productivity leaders like the U.S. and Switzerland.

Summary

• Average salaries provide helpful benchmarks, but median salaries better represent the true middle ground.
• Many complex factors influence salaries, including education, experience, industry, location, company size and economic conditions.
• A stubborn gender wage gap persists despite improvement. Further action is needed to promote true pay equity.
• The highest incomes are achieved in high-skill fields like specialized medicine, law, management and engineering.
• Monitoring wage growth reveals how compensation is evolving across industries.
• While not at the very top, Canadian salaries remain competitive globally when factoring in quality of life-considerations.

Understanding what drives salaries, typical earning rates, and growth trends will help both employers and employees make astute compensation decisions.

FAQs related to average salaries in Canada

How is the average salary calculated in Canada?

Average salary is calculated by taking the total wage earnings in Canada and dividing by the total number of employed people. Individual responses are aggregated to determine the overall national average.

What was the average salary in Canada in 2022?

The average salary across all occupations in Canada in 2022 was approximately $61,090 annually or $1,174 weekly, according to Statistics Canada data.

Where are the highest paying jobs in Canada located?

The provinces with the highest average salaries are Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Major metropolitan areas like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton also have high wages.

Why do salaries vary across industries?

Factors like required education, profit margins, value-added, unionization rates, public vs private sector, supply and demand, and geographic location cause wage variances between industries.

When do salaries typically peak in Canada?

Salary peaks typically occur around age 40-50. After this point, wage growth slows and earnings flatten out or decline as employees approach retirement.

Do all provinces have similar average wages?

No, there are large discrepancies between provinces. Alberta and Ontario have the highest average wages, while the Maritime provinces have the lowest.

Can education level impact average salary?

Yes, higher levels of education lead to significantly increased earning potential. University graduates earn approximately 15% more than high school graduates.

Is the gender wage gap decreasing in Canada?

Yes, but slowly. The gap has declined from around 35% in the 1980s to 15% today. More progress is still needed for pay equity.

Do salaried employees make more than hourly workers?

On average, yes. Salaried employees tend to earn approximately 15-20% higher pay compared to hourly wage earners.

How frequently are salaries adjusted in Canada?

Most employees receive salary adjustments on an annual basis, typically aligned with performance reviews. Cost of living raises also occurs periodically.

What Canadian city has the highest average salary?

Calgary has the highest average salary of major Canadian cities, followed by Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa.

Do salaries increase each year in Canada?

On average, salaries rise approximately 2-3% per year. However, increases vary significantly by industry, province, occupation, and economic conditions.

How is salary influenced by company size?

Generally, larger companies pay higher average salaries compared to small businesses, except at senior executive levels.

Why does the cost of living impact salaries?

Salaries tend to be higher in areas with elevated housing, goods, and services costs so workers can afford local living expenses.

Do salaries increase with inflation?

Ideally, salaries keep pace with inflation to avoid decreases in real purchasing power. This isn’t always the case though.