Average Salary in Canada in 2024
According to the Institute of Statistics, the average salary in Canada in 2023 was $64,850 yearly, with a monthly average wage of $5,404.
Canada is among the first 20 countries with the highest salaries in the world, according to Paylab.
As wages vary greatly depending on different factors, in this article, you’ll get a full picture of how the salary in Canada varies by activity sector, region, age, or gender.
Please note:
- All data in this article are based on official statistics and reports. All sources are linked at the end of the article.
- All salaries in this article are salary figures (gross average salaries). That is the wage in Canada before tax deductions.
Key salary statistics for Canada
- Average annual salary: $64,850
- Average monthly salary: $5,404
- Minimum hourly wage: $17.30 per hour at a federal level with provincial baselines.
Average salary in Canada
The average salaries in Canada in 2023 were $64,850 per year with the equivalent of a monthly average salary of $5,404.
The Normandin Beaudry’s pulse report shows that Canadians can expect average wages to be higher by 2.9% in 2024, based on surveying 430 organizations across Canada.
Source: Normandin Beaudry’s Salary Increase Pulse Survey
Minimum wage
According to the Government of Canada, the federal minimum wage was increased to $17.30 per hour from $16.65 on April 1, 2024. Canada introduced a federal minimum salary in 1965, which was $1.25/hour. The federal minimum wage is adjusted annually based on the average Consumer Price Index.
However, Canada has provincial minimum wages, too, with particular employment regulations and standards listed on the website of Canada’s Government. Here are the minimum wages per province:
| Jurisdiction | Wage rate | Effective date |
| Alberta | $15 | October 1, 2018 (v) |
| British Columbia (i) | $16.75 | June 1, 2023 |
| Manitoba (ii) | $15.30 | October 1, 2023 |
| New Brunswick | $15.30 | April 1, 2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $15.60 | April 1, 2024 |
| Northwest Territories | $16.05 | September 1, 2023 |
| Nova Scotia | $15.20 | April 1, 2024 |
| Nunavut | $16 | April 1, 2020 |
| Ontario | $16.55 | October 1, 2023 |
| Prince Edward Island (iii) | $15.40 | April 1, 2024 |
| Quebec | $15.25 | May 1, 2023 |
| Saskatchewan (iv) | $14 | October 1, 2023 |
| Yukon | $17.59 | April 1, 2024 |
| Federal | $17.30 | April 1, 2024 |
Except for setting minimum salaries based on provinces, Canada sets regulations for minimum wage rates according to age and specific Canadian job sectors. The rules can be found on the Government of Canada website.
Source: Forbes Advisor, Government of Canada
Average salary by region
Salaries in Canada, like in most countries, have a territory average salary depending on the specific region’s expenses, taxes, and other factors.
Between the years 2021 and 2022, there were notable differences between the northern territories of Nunavut, Yukon, and Northwest Territories, as well as the Maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. The average income in the aforementioned provinces is considerably higher than the average earnings from the latter. Check the data on the economic landscape and potential annual earnings across Canada:
| Provinces | Average Annual Salary 2021 | Average Annual Salary 2022 |
| Nunavut | $87,355 | $82,875 |
| Yukon | $61,812 | $67,207 |
| Northwest Territories | $65,017 | $64,056 |
| Alberta | $61,865 | $60,000 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $55,508 | $57,900 |
| Manitoba | $$49,661 | $59,426 |
| Saskatchewan | $54,371 | $51,300 |
| Ontario | $55,524 | $52,600 |
| British Columbia | $53,416 | $50,749 |
| Quebec | $51,735 | $53,300 |
| Nova Scotia | $48,470 | $45,900 |
| Prince Edward Island | $45,912 | $47,515 |
| New Brunswick | $49,511 | $43,400 |
Average salary by age
According to Statistics Canada, the average salary varies significantly from one age group to another.
Young adults aged 16-24, often entering the workforce working part-time, earn an average annual wage of $17,300. As workers progress in their careers, their earnings increase substantially, with those aged 25-34 averaging $46,900 annually and those aged 35-44 earning $63,700 annually.
The highest earning group is adults aged 45-54, with an average annual wage of $66,700, reflecting their experience and leadership roles. As employees approach retirement, average salaries decrease to $54,600 for those aged 55-64 and $22,600 for those 65 and older.
The national average wage for all working adults is $49,300 per year.
Average salary by education
Education plays a pivotal role in determining a worker’s earning potential in Canada.
As seen below, there’s a clear progressive increase in average wages as individuals attain higher levels of education.
Education Level Average Salary Increase Compared to Previous Level Certificate or Diploma 17% higher than High School Diploma Bachelor’s Degree 24% higher than Certificate or Diploma Master’s Degree 29% higher than Bachelor’s Degree PhD 23% higher than Master’s Degree
| Education Level | Average Salary Increase Compared to Previous Level |
| Certificate or Diploma | 17% higher than High School Diploma |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 24% higher than Certificate or Diploma |
| Master’s Degree | 29% higher than Bachelor’s Degree |
| PhD | 23% higher than Master’s Degree |
Average salary by industry
According to Statistics Canada, in 2023, the weekly salaries across Canadian industries in 2023, revealing significant variations.
Utilities ($1,896.49), Forestry, Fishing, Mining, Quarrying, Oil and Gas ($2,138.41), and Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services ($1,695.37) top the list, with high-paying jobs. However, Accommodation and Food Services have the lowest weekly average pay ($574.58).
The Goods-producing sector ($1,431.51) outperforms the national average ($1,232.22).
| Industry | Monthly salary (Canadian dollar) | Yearly salary (Canadian dollar) |
| Total employees, all industries | 1,232.22 | 64,075.44 |
| Goods-producing sector | 1,431.51 | 74,438.52 |
| Agriculture | 910.49 | 47,345.48 |
| Forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas | 2,138.41 | 111,197.32 |
| Utilities | 1,896.49 | 98,617.48 |
| Construction | 1,435.21 | 74,630.92 |
| Manufacturing | 1,305.47 | 67,884.44 |
| Services-producing sector | 1,181.97 | 61,462.44 |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 911.26 | 47,385.52 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 1,258.56 | 65,445.12 |
| Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing | 1,543.12 | 80,242.24 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 1,695.37 | 88,159.24 |
| Business, building and other support services | 949.74 | 49,386.48 |
| Educational services | 1,283.80 | 66,757.60 |
| Health care and social assistance | 1,105.61 | 57,491.72 |
| Information, culture and recreation | 1,079.07 | 56,111.64 |
| Accommodation and food services | 574.58 | 29,878.16 |
| Other services (except public administration) | 1,037.93 | 53,972.36 |
| Public administration | 1,584.78 | ;82,408.56 |
Gender pay gap
According to Statistics Canada, in 2024, women earned 89 cents for every dollar earned by men. Canada faces high provincial disparities in pay between genders, regardless of whether they are from the same or different Canadian job sectors. Prince Edward Island and Alberta have the highest gender pay disparities.
The Labour Market Information Council reveals that in 2023, based on the Equal Pay Day marked in the calendar, a woman from Canada should have worked until April 9, 2024, to earn the same median income as a man.
Hallmarks of the labor market in Canada
- Highly educated workers: Canadian workers’ education level is a key strength of its labor market, with a significant proportion of workers holding post-secondary degrees or diplomas (In 2020, 59.6% of Canadians aged 25-64 had completed post-secondary education, one of the highest rates among OECD countries (OECD, 2021).
- This emphasis on education has contributed to the development of a skilled and adaptable workforce that is well-equipped to meet the demands of a dynamic and evolving economy. In 2020, 46% of Canadian workers participated in job-related training or education, compared to the OECD average of 40% (OECD, 2021)
- Aging workforce: Canada’s population is rapidly aging, with the median age projected to reach 42.4 years by 2030, while the population aged 65 and older is expected to rise from 17.2% in 2018 to 22.7% by 2030 (Statistics Canada, 2019)
- Robust employment insurance: Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) program provides temporary income support to workers who lose their jobs due to no fault (of their own), such as layoffs or seasonal unemployment. In 2019-2020, the EI program provided $21.8 billion in benefits to 2.1 million Canadians (Employment and Social Development Canada, 2020).
Comparison with other countries
When comparing salaries, Canada’s average annual wage of $64,850 CAD (approximately $48,638 USD) is lower than that of the United States at $62,406 USD but higher than most European countries, such as France (€39,800, ~$43,780 USD), Germany (€50,250, ~$55,275 USD), and Italy (€42,356, ~$46,592 USD).
However, Switzerland stands out with a significantly higher average annual salary of CHF 81,456 (~$89,602 USD). Canada’s federal minimum hourly wage of $17.30 CAD (~$12.98 USD) is lower than Germany’s €12.41 (~$13.65 USD) and the UK’s £11.44 (~$14.30 USD).
FAQ
What is a good salary in Canada?
Based on the fact that the average salary in Canada is currently $64,850, a good salary should fluctuate around this figure. Note that earnings below the Canadian average would still equate to a good salary.
Is $75,000 dollars a good salary in Canada?
Yes, $75,000 is $10,150 more than the national average salary of $64,850 in Canada; therefore, it amounts to a good salary. However, note that in Nunavut, the average salary is $87,355, and in Yukon, it is $82,875. So it’s better to make a reasonable decision based on your location.
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Sources:
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/240105/dq240105a-eng.htm
https://www.datawrapper.de/_/SJfEU
https://minwage-salairemin.service.canada.ca/en/youngworkers.html
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1410006301