Geography: Canada
Age Group: All
Income Type: Individual
How this income percentile calculator works
There are a few options to compare your income percentile with this calculator. The first step is inputting your total income which will be used to compare against others. By default your income percentile is calculated against all age groups and provinces in Canada. This helps you understand where you compare when taking into consideration everyone in Canada.
Since age and location play a large role in your earning potential, this calculator lets you compare to others within your age group or your province instead of all of Canada. If you select both a province and an age group, the age group comparison is used, since Statistics Canada does not publish a combined age-by-province breakdown for this data. All comparisons are for individual income; a household/family income version is not yet available.
When the calculator says you fall in the 90th income percentile, this means that 90% of the population for the selected group have less income than the salary you input. Alternatively, if you wanted to know what it would take to be a part of the top 1% of income earners in Canada, this would be the income it takes to be in the 99th income percentile.
These income distributions are calculated from Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census (income year 2020), which publishes the population count within fixed income brackets (e.g. $35,000-$40,000) by geography, and separately by age group. This calculator interpolates a specific dollar threshold for each percentile from those official bracket counts, then adjusts every threshold for inflation using the Consumer Price Index so the comparison reflects today’s dollars, not 2020 dollars. StatCan tops out its published brackets at “$150,000 and over,” so above roughly the 99th percentile the calculator can only say your income is at or above that level, not give you a precise higher percentile.
How many people make $100K or more in Canada?
As of 2022 there were 4,021,030 persons with income of $100K or more and total persons with income of 29,769,800. This means that 13.51% of the population makes $100K or more. Use our income tax calculator to see your after-tax take-home pay, or find out how much home you can afford on your income.
Canadian income percentile table
The table below shows individual total income thresholds for selected percentiles in Canada, sourced from Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census income brackets and adjusted for inflation to today’s dollars.
| Percentile | Individual Income (Inflation-Adjusted) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $9,600 | 90% of Canadians earn more than this |
| 20th | $22,000 | Includes many part-time and seasonal workers |
| 25th | $26,300 | Lower quartile |
| 30th | $30,000 | |
| 40th | $39,000 | |
| 50th (Median) | $49,000 | Half of Canadians earn more, half earn less |
| 60th | $60,400 | |
| 70th | $74,100 | |
| 75th | $83,100 | Upper quartile |
| 80th | $93,800 | |
| 90th | $127,800 | Top 10% of income earners |
| 95th | $172,600 | Top 5% |
| 99th | $186,100+ | Top 1% of income earners |
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, Table 98-10-0064. Figures are for individuals aged 15+ with income, inflation-adjusted using the Consumer Price Index. StatCan’s published brackets top out at “$150,000 and over,” so the 99th percentile is reported as a floor rather than a precise value.
Median vs average income in Canada
The median income and average (mean) income in Canada are quite different, and understanding why matters for interpreting income data:
- Median individual income: ~$49,000/year — This is the middle value. Half of Canadians earn more and half earn less. The median is not skewed by extremely high or low incomes.
- Average individual income: ~$60,000–$65,000/year — This is the total income divided by the number of people. A small number of very high earners pull the average significantly above the median.
The gap between the median and average reflects income inequality. When a few individuals earn millions per year, the average rises without representing the typical Canadian’s experience. For this reason, the median is generally a better measure of what a “typical” Canadian earns.
Income distribution by province
Incomes vary significantly by province due to differences in industry mix, cost of living, and labour markets. Here are median individual incomes by province, from the same Census data used by the calculator above:
| Province | Median Individual Income (Inflation-Adjusted) |
|---|---|
| Alberta | $52,500 |
| Saskatchewan | $50,500 |
| Quebec | $49,500 |
| British Columbia | $49,000 |
| Ontario | $48,800 |
| Manitoba | $47,300 |
| PEI | $46,800 |
| New Brunswick | $45,500 |
| Nova Scotia | $45,400 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $44,200 |
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, Table 98-10-0064, inflation-adjusted to today’s dollars. Individual income includes all sources. Household income by province is not yet covered by this calculator.
Alberta’s higher median income is largely driven by the oil and gas sector, while Ontario benefits from its concentration of financial services and technology industries. Atlantic provinces tend to have lower median incomes but also lower costs of living. See our salary calculator to convert your income to different pay frequencies.
Income percentiles by age group
Age is one of the strongest predictors of income. Earnings typically peak between ages 35 and 54 before declining in retirement years. Here are median incomes by age group, from the same Census data used by the calculator above:
| Age Group | Median Individual Income (Inflation-Adjusted) | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15–24 | $16,700 | $32,000 | $47,500 |
| 25–34 | $54,100 | $81,000 | $111,100 |
| 35–44 | $68,800 | $105,900 | $159,300 |
| 45–54 | $68,600 | $111,300 | $170,800 |
| 55–64 | $56,200 | $92,900 | $152,300 |
| 65+ | $40,800 | $67,100 | $100,600 |
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, Table 98-10-0064, inflation-adjusted to today’s dollars. Income includes employment, investment, pension, and government transfer income.
Comparing your income to your own age group gives a better sense of where you stand than comparing against all Canadians. A 28-year-old earning $55,000 is well above the median for their age group, even though they may be below the 75th percentile for all age groups combined.
Wealth vs income percentile
Income and wealth are related but distinct measures:
- Income is the money you earn in a given year from employment, investments, pensions, and government benefits. It measures your cash flow.
- Wealth (net worth) is the total value of everything you own (home, savings, investments, pensions) minus everything you owe (mortgage, debts). It measures your accumulated financial position.
It is possible to have a high income but low wealth (e.g., a high-earning professional with large debts and no savings) or low income but high wealth (e.g., a retiree living off savings with a paid-off home). Track your full financial picture with our net worth benchmarks.
The median net worth for Canadian families is approximately $329,900 (Statistics Canada, 2019 Survey of Financial Security). Homeowners have significantly higher net worth than renters, largely due to real estate equity. To understand how your home fits into your financial picture, use our mortgage calculator and mortgage affordability calculator.
How income percentiles are calculated
Statistics Canada collects income data primarily through the Census of Population (every 5 years) and the Canadian Income Survey (annually). To calculate percentiles:
- All individuals with income are ranked from lowest to highest.
- The population is divided into 100 equal groups.
- Each group boundary represents a percentile threshold.
For example, if you are in the 70th percentile, exactly 70% of the population has lower income than you. This calculator’s data comes from the 2021 Census (income year 2020), which publishes population counts in income brackets by geography and age group; thresholds between brackets are estimated using linear interpolation, then adjusted for inflation to today’s dollars.
Related calculators
- Income Tax Calculator — Calculate your federal and provincial tax
- Salary Calculator — Convert between hourly, biweekly, monthly, and annual pay
- Hourly to Salary Calculator — Convert hourly wages to annual salary
- Income to Afford Home Calculator — See what home price your income supports
- Retirement Calculator — Plan retirement savings based on your income
- CPP Calculator — Estimate your Canada Pension Plan benefits
- Investment Calculator — Project how investing a portion of your income can grow
Give your income a boost with investing
No matter where you fall on the income percentile, investing is one of the most effective ways to grow your wealth over time. Even modest regular contributions can compound significantly. Learn how to start investing and get a $25 bonus when you open an account.