Average Salary In New Brunswick

New Brunswick, one of Canada’s Maritime provinces located on the east coast, plays an important role in the national economy through its natural resources, manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, tourism, and service-based industries. While the average salary in Canada offers a useful national benchmark, understanding the average salary in New Brunswick provides valuable insight into career opportunities and earning potential within the province.

This article will examine average salaries in New Brunswick across industries, occupations, and specific in-demand roles. We’ll look at how salaries have grown over the past two decades and factors that impact earnings.

What is The Average Salary in New Brunswick?

According to Statistics Canada Table 14-10-0417-01, the average weekly wage for all employees in New Brunswick is $1,128.91 as of 2024. This translates to approximately $56,054 annually. The median weekly wage in New Brunswick is $1,000.00, equalizing approximately $50,003 annually.

New Brunswick’s average weekly wage is below the national average ($1,290.30), ranking 8th among the provinces, only above N.S. and PEI.

Five factors that contribute to New Brunswick’s lower average salary compared to other provinces:

There is a smaller proportion of high-paying jobs in sectors like technology, finance, and oil/gas compared to provinces like Ontario, Alberta, and B.C.
Older population demographic results in lower labour force participation
A high portion of seasonal industries like agriculture, fishing and forestry
Public sector wages tend to be lower than those in the private sector, especially in healthcare and education.
Fewer head offices and large corporations located in the province

While salaries may be lower on average, New Brunswick remains an attractive place to build a career and life due to its low cost of living, natural beauty and friendly communities. The province offers a balanced lifestyle for those who value affordability and quality of life.

What are the Trends in Salary Growth in New Brunswick?

Analyzing how average salaries in New Brunswick have risen over the past 20 years provides helpful context. The chart below compares average weekly wages for all employees in New Brunswick from 2002 to 2023:

Trends in Salary Growth in New Brunswick, Statistics Canada Table 14-10-0064-01

Four key observations:

Gradual growth over time, with some acceleration in recent years
Around 96% cumulative median weekly salary in New Brunswick 2023, average weekly salary in New Brunswick 2023, growth from 2002 ($548.06) to 2023 ($1077.96)
The largest increase was seen in 2006 (at 5.4%) and recently in 2022 at 8.2%
More modest 1-3% annual growth through much of the 2000s and 2010s

This illustrates the incremental but steady rise in salaries in the province over the past two decades.

What are the Average Salaries By Industry in New Brunswick?

Looking at average salaries by industry in New Brunswick provides a helpful snapshot of its economic makeup. Here are the average weekly wages for broad sectors in 2024 according to Statistics Canada Table 14-10-0064-01:

Goods-Producing Sector

Goods-producing industries involve tangible outputs like natural resources, construction materials, and manufactured products. Key goods-producing sectors and average weekly salaries in New Brunswick include:

Agriculture – $1,049.71 per week
- Includes crop and livestock farming, fishing and aquaculture
Forestry, Fishing, Mining, Oil and Gas – $1,774.84 per week
- Encompasses logging, mineral extraction, oil/gas extraction and support activities
Utilities – $1,784.06 per week
- Includes electric power, natural gas, water and waste management
Construction – $1,205.67 per week
- Incorporates general contractors, heavy/civil engineering, specialty trades like carpentry, plumbing and masonry
Manufacturing – $1,285.01 per week
- Consists of manufacturing outputs like food, beverages, refined petroleum, chemicals, metals, machinery, electronics and more

Average weekly wage across goods-producing industries – $1,321.82

This sector accounts for higher salaries on average, illustrating the prevalence of natural resources, utilities, and manufacturing in New Brunswick’s economy.

Services-Producing Sector

Services-producing industries provide intangible outputs like retail, education, professional services and healthcare. Key service sectors and average salaries are:

Wholesale and Retail Trade – $822.53 per week
- Includes automotive, food, clothing, pharmacy, and general merchandise sales
Transportation and Warehousing – $1,168.00 per week
- Encompasses air, rail, water, truck, transit and scenic transportation providers
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate – $1,176.75 per week
- Incorporates banks, investment firms, insurance providers, and real estate brokers
Educational Services – $1,234.38 per week
- Covers primary, secondary, post-secondary, vocational/trades, and continuing education
Healthcare and Social Assistance – $1,060.86 per week
- Includes hospitals, nursing/retirement homes, child care, community services
Accommodation and Food Services – $534.58 per week
- Hotels, restaurants, bars, caterers and other food service entities
Public Administration – $1,502.06 per week
- Government agencies at the federal, provincial, regional, municipal and Indigenous levels

Average weekly wage across the services sector is $1,081.01. There is a significant variance in pay between high-paying professional services and lower-wage retail, tourism and food services. Public sector wages also tend to be below those of the private sector for similar roles.

Source: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0064-01 Employee wages by industry, annual

What are Average Salaries in New Brunswick by Occupational Categories?

Occupational Categories and Salaries in New Brunswick — Occupation and Salaries in New Brunswick

life buzz quote in canada new 8 1 — Occupation and Salaries in New Brunswick

Looking at broad occupational categories provides perspective on earning potential across different fields in New Brunswick in 2024.

Management Occupations

Average weekly wage – $1,988.23

This broad grouping includes senior officials, specialized middle managers, and frontline managers in various industries. Higher pay reflects leadership responsibilities in management roles.

Business, Finance and Administration Occupations

Average weekly wage – $1,110.89

Spanning financial analysts, administrative positions, and supply chain logistics roles that support business operations. Wages are polarized between high-paid and lower-paid positions.

Natural and Applied Sciences Occupations

Average weekly wage – $1,586.77

Includes professional fields like engineering, sciences, and technical support roles. New Brunswick’s tech sector drives demand.

Health Occupations

Average weekly wage – $1,217.68

Ranging from regulated professionals like doctors, nurses and therapists to support workers and assistants. Reflects the public healthcare system.

Average weekly wage – $1,271.80

Covers a wide range, including teachers, community service workers, frontline public protection (police, firefighters, armed forces), and support staff. Public sector wages tend to be lower.

Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport Occupations

Average weekly wage – $787.88

Represents creatives roles in media, design, performing arts, heritage, and sports organizations. Typically lower wages than other fields.

Sales and Service Occupations

Average weekly wage – $657.36

Encompasses retail, food service, tourism, customer service and other frontline service jobs. Lower wages reflect a high proportion of part-time roles.

Trades, Transport and Equipment Operators Occupations

Average weekly wage – $1,167.28

Includes construction trades workers, heavy equipment and crane operators trades helpers, and transport truck drivers. Hands-on roles earn higher pay.

Average weekly wage – $1,066.29

Highlight New Brunswick’s fishing, farming, forestry and natural resources sectors. Supervisory and technical roles earn more.

Manufacturing and Utilities Occupations

Average weekly wage – $1,124.93

Operators, assemblers, supervisors, and labourers support manufacturing and utility operations, which are vital to the province’s exports.

Source: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0417-01 Employee wages by occupation, annual

Four key elements influence earning potential and account for salary differences across occupations in New Brunswick:

Education and Experience: Jobs requiring higher levels of education and experience tend to earn more (e.g. managers, professionals).
Industry/Sector: Some industries, like natural resources and utilities, compensate better than sectors like arts and retail.
Location: Salaries in major urban centers like Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton tend to exceed those in rural areas.
Gender: Persistent gender wage gaps see men earn around 21% more on average than women in similar roles.

Accounting for these factors provides a helpful context in assessing typical earning potential.

What are the Most In-Demand Occupations and Salaries in New Brunswick?

Understanding which occupations are most in demand provides helpful insight for job seekers and career builders. Here is a breakdown of twenty-four top in-demand roles, key responsibilities, average salaries, and projected job openings in New Brunswick:

Healthcare Occupations

With New Brunswick’s aging population, healthcare workers are in high demand:

Registered Nurses
- Provide direct patient care, health education, and case management
- Average Salary: $74,114 per year
- Projected Job Openings (2022-2026): 1,931
Licensed Practical Nurses
- Care for patients under the supervision of RNs and doctors
- Average Salary: $44,683 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 602
Personal Support Workers
- Assist patients with activities of daily living and personal care
- Average Salary: $29,699 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 2,519
Paramedics
- Respond to medical emergencies and provide pre-hospital treatment
- Average Salary: $60,186 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 151

Education Occupations

Teaching roles are crucial to developing New Brunswick’s future workforce:

Elementary School Teachers
- Instruct students in subjects like math, science, languages, social studies
- Average Salary: $66,878 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 468
Secondary School Teachers
- Prepare and teach academic subjects to high school students
- Average Salary: $70,726 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 547
Educational Assistants
- Provide classroom support to students under teacher supervision
- Average Salary: $30,684 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 491
Educational Counsellors
- Advise students on academics, career planning and personal growth
- Average Salary: $61,939 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 63

Information Technology Occupations

I.T. is a growth sector with employers looking to hire:

Computer Programmers
- Write, modify and debug software code for applications
- Average Salary: $68,456 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 147
Graphic Designers
- Create visual designs for advertisements, publications, packaging, websites
- Average Salary: $40,642 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 94
Computer Network Technicians
- Install, configure and maintain computer networks and servers
- Average Salary: $55,072 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 180
User Support Technicians
- Provide technical help and troubleshooting to computer users
- Average Salary: $48,767 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 181

Forestry Occupations

Forestry remains a core New Brunswick industry seeking workers:

Logging Machinery Operators
- Operate heavy logging equipment like feller bunchers, skidders, harvesters
- Average Salary: $50,502 per year
- Projected Job Openings (2022-2026): 27
Sawmill Machine Operators
- Operate automated equipment to cut and trim logs into lumber
- Average Salary: $47,494 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 87
Pulp and Paper Control Operators
- Monitor and operate equipment for making pulp, paper and paperboard
- Average Salary: $50,189 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 50
Labourers in Wood, Pulp and Paper Processing
- Perform manual tasks supporting wood product manufacturing
- Average Salary: $43,967 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 122

Food Production Occupations

Agriculture and seafood processing provide key exports and jobs:

General Farm Workers
- Grow crops, raise livestock and perform other farm duties
- Average Salary: $32,142 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 204
Fish and Seafood Processing Workers
- Clean, gut, peel, debone and otherwise process fish and seafood
- Average Salary: $29,185 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 551
Food and Beverage Processing Workers
- Operate equipment and perform production line duties
- Average Salary: $34,816 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 290
Aquaculture and Marine Harvest Labourers
- Farm aquatic plants/animals and gather wild marine products
- Average Salary: $42,813 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 42

Skilled Trades Occupations

Motivated candidates are needed to fill open apprenticeships:

Electricians
- Install, maintain and repair electrical infrastructure and systems
- Average Salary: $55,866 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 327
Carpenters
- Construct, install and repair buildings, furniture, fixtures
- Average Salary: $39,681 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 712
Construction Millwrights
- Install, maintain and repair industrial machinery and equipment
- Average Salary: $70,113 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 286
Heavy Equipment Operators
- Operate bulldozers, cranes, backhoes and other heavy vehicles/equipment
- Average Salary: $55,459 per year
- Projected Job Openings: 409

For job seekers, targeting growing fields like these with consistent demand improves prospects.

Source: Careers in Demand, NBjobs

To expand your understanding of earnings potential across the country, see our in-depth guides on average salary in all provinces:

Summary

There are diverse career options and earning potential across New Brunswick’s industries and occupations. While salaries are rising steadily over time, they remain below national averages. However, the low cost of living helps offset this. Job seekers should focus on growing sectors while considering factors like education, experience and location that impact salary ranges. With sound decisions, you can find a rewarding career and lifestyle in New Brunswick.

Q: How much is the average salary in New Brunswick?

A: The average salary in New Brunswick is approximately $56,054 per year or $1,077.96 per week across all occupations (2023).

Q: What is the median salary in New Brunswick?

A: The median salary in New Brunswick is $961.60 per week, meaning half of employees earn more and half earn less.

Q: Where are the highest paying jobs in New Brunswick?

A: The highest salaries are typically in skilled trades, healthcare, engineering, management, and professional services like finance, accounting and law.

Q: Why are salaries lower in New Brunswick than other provinces?

A: Lower salaries reflect an older population, fewer high-paying sectors, seasonal industries, and a relative lack of large corporations compared to other provinces.

Q: When do salaries in New Brunswick increase the most?

A: Salaries have seen the highest growth in recent years, with weekly wages rising 8.2 % from 2021 to 2022, faster than historical trends.

Q: Do different industries pay very differently in New Brunswick?

A: Yes, average weekly pay ranges from over $1,740 in forestry/mining to just $520 in accommodation/food services, reflecting significant industry variance.

Q: Can location affect salary in New Brunswick?

A: Yes, salaries in major urban centres like Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton tend to exceed more rural parts of the province.

Q: Is healthcare a good career choice for pay in New Brunswick?

A: Yes, registered nurses ($73k), paramedics ($29k) and other healthcare roles are in-demand with competitive salaries.

Q: What jobs are in high demand in New Brunswick?

A: Healthcare, education, IT, skilled trades, forestry, farming/fishing, construction, transportation and hospitality roles are all in demand currently.

Q: Where can I find the latest salary data for New Brunswick?

A: Statistics Canada provides the most authoritative and up-to-date data on average weekly wages by occupation and industry.

Q: How can I maximize my salary negotiations in New Brunswick?

A: Research typical pay for your role, highlight achievements, have a target number, and use competing offers for the best leverage.

Q: Are technology salaries rising quickly in New Brunswick?

A: Yes, IT occupations like programming and technical support are seeing healthy demand and salary growth above inflation.

Q: Can I earn a good living in New Brunswick on an average salary?

A: Yes, the low cost of living and affordable housing means the average salary goes further in terms of purchasing power.

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