If you’re looking to move to (or within) Canada, one of your primary financial considerations will be “how much can I earn?” “What is the Average salary in Canada?” This post provides comparison data for provincial earnings and general minimum wage levels by province.
- Table 1 – Average hourly & weekly earnings by province (across all sectors).
- Tables 2 & 3 – Average hourly earnings for a selection of job types by province.
- Table 4 – Federal and provincial minimum wages in January 2022.
Average Salary In Canada And Hourly Wages Rates
The average hourly wage rate across Canada was $31.87.
Alberta has the highest wage rates in Canada. The average wage there was $34.65/hour, around 9% higher than the Canadian average. This can mainly be attributed to the oil industry, where average wages in the “Maintenance and Equipment Operation” trades are some 21% higher than the national average.
Alberta’s earnings are above the Average Salary in Canada in almost all job categories outside the oil industry. For example, hourly rates in the retail trade are 7% higher than the national average, and in the service sector, they are 4% higher.
Wages in the Atlantic Provinces (except for Newfoundland & Labrador) and Manitoba are all lower than in the rest of Canada. However, lower costs of living help to offset these wage levels. For example, The Canadian Real Estate Association data shows that average house prices in these provinces are significantly lower than the national average.
| Ave Weekly Wage | Ave Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $1,249 | $32 |
| British Columbia (BC) | $1,282 | $32 |
| Alberta (AB) | $1,397 | $35 |
| Saskatchewan (SK) | $1,244 | $31 |
| Manitoba (MB) | $1,117 | $28 |
| Ontario (ON) | $1,284 | $33 |
| Quebec (QC) | $1,160 | $30 |
| New Brunswick (NB) | $1,049 | $26 |
| Nova Scotia (NS) | $1,089 | $28 |
| Prince Edward Island (PI) | $1,048 | $26 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador (NL) | $1,206 | $30 |
Hourly Wages Rates By Job & Province
Ave Median Hourly Wage Rates For Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario & Manitoba
| AB | BC | ON | QC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accountant | $42 | $30 | $36 | $35 |
| Admin Clerk | $25 | $23 | $21 | $20 |
| Bank Manager | $51 | $44 | $50 | $41 |
| Bank Teller | $19 | $20 | $19 | $20 |
| Electrician | $36 | $28 | $29 | $38 |
| Firefighter | $46 | $46 | $45 | $36 |
| Health Aid Worker | $21 | $23 | $21 | $21 |
| Nurse (Reg.) | $44 | $41 | $39 | $36 |
| Plumber | $34 | $28 | $31 | $37 |
| Police Officer | $46 | $42 | $48 | $45 |
| Retail Sales Ass. | $16 | $15 | $15 | $14 |
| Server | $17 | $16 | $15 | $16 |
| Teacher (High Sch.) | $43 | $38 | $47 | $40 |
| Trucker | $27 | $27 | $23 | $21 |
Ave Median Hourly Wage Rates For Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia & Newfoundland & Labrador
| MB | SK | NS | NL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accountant | $31 | $39 | $33 | $38 |
| Admin Clerk | $20 | $22 | $20 | $22 |
| Bank Manager | $48 | $46 | $35 | $41 |
| Bank Teller | $17 | $19 | $18 | $17 |
| Electrician | $33 | $34 | $26 | $28 |
| Firefighter | $41 | $40 | $31 | $38 |
| Health Aid Worker | $19 | $22 | $18 | $18 |
| Nurse (Reg.) | $42 | $44 | $39 | $40 |
| Plumber | $31 | $31 | $25 | $28 |
| Police Officer | $45 | $43 | $42 | $42 |
| Retail Sales Ass. | $13 | $15 | $13 | $13 |
| Server | $13 | $14 | $14 | $14 |
| Teacher (High Sch.) | $40 | $41 | $40 | $43 |
| Trucker | $22 | $25 | $20 | $20 |
What Is The Government Of Canada’s “Job Bank” Online Tool?
If you would like more specific information for a particular job, the online “Job Bank” is an incredible resource.
The “Trends Analysis” section allows you to search for a job type in any location. It will then provide information including:
- Average wages levels
- Marketplace trends
- Qualification requirements
- Geographic comparisons
- Currently available jobs
Are You Planning A New Career in Canada?
Are you wondering how much you can earn? Or if your job is in Demand?
Let us help!
We cover 100s of occupations from registered nurses to every type of firefighter.
Learn about wages rates, prospects, transferring qualifications and much more!
Does Canada Have A Minimum Wage?
Canada has federal minimum wage requirements for jobs that are in federally regulated job sectors. The 2022 general federal minimum wage is $15.00/hour. The provincial minimum wage requirements govern other private-sector jobs. The minimum wage is well below the average salary in Canada.
The provincial minimum wage requirements as of January 2022 are as follows:
| Province | Minimum Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Alberta | $15.00 |
| British Columbia | $15.20 |
| Manitoba | $11.95 |
| New Brunswick | $11.75 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $12.75 |
| Northwest Territories | $15.20 |
| Nova Scotia | $12.95 |
| Nunavut | $16.00 |
| Ontario | $15.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $13.00 |
| Quebec | $13.50 |
| Saskatchewan | $11.81 |
| Yukon | $15.20 |
Sources – this information has been compiled from a number of sources, including data from Statistics Canada and the Labour Force Survey.
Where Can I Find More Information?
We are continually updating career information for Canada on this website. You can access up-to-date information for Firefighters, Teachers and Nurses via the links.
FAQ – What Is The Average Salary In Canada 2023
Are You Planning A Move To Canada?
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