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Salaries in Canada by Profession: 2026 Guide

Updated

Knowing what your profession pays — and how to negotiate — is one of the highest-impact personal finance skills. This hub compiles Canadian salary data across all major professions, provincial comparisons, and strategies for maximizing your income.

Average salaries in Canada: overview

Metric Amount (2024–2025)
Median employment income ~$62,900/year
Average household income ~$100,000/year
Median hourly wage ~$31/hour
Low-income threshold (LICO) ~$22,000–$32,000 (family size dependent)
Middle-income range $50,000–$100,000
High income (top 10%) $100,000+
Top 1% threshold ~$250,000+

Incomes vary significantly by province, city, sector, and years of experience. See: Average Salary in Canada | Median Income Canada | Income Percentile Calculator | Highest Paying Industries | Gender Pay Gap in Canada

Top 20 professions by typical pay range

Profession Typical annual pay range
Physician $250,000-$400,000+
Dentist $150,000-$300,000
Lawyer $100,000-$300,000+
Pilot $80,000-$250,000
Software Engineer $95,000-$180,000+
Data Scientist $95,000-$160,000
Pharmacist $105,000-$140,000
Engineer (P.Eng.) $80,000-$160,000
Financial Manager $90,000-$160,000
Optometrist $120,000-$200,000
Accountant (CPA) $65,000-$130,000
Architect $75,000-$130,000
Veterinarian $80,000-$130,000
Midwife $80,000-$120,000
Train Conductor $75,000-$115,000
Nurse (RN) $75,000-$105,000
Electrician $65,000-$100,000
Police Officer $65,000-$100,000
Teacher $60,000-$100,000
Truck Driver $55,000-$85,000

For deeper role-by-role coverage, use the profession guides listed below.

Provincial median employment income snapshot

Province Median employment income (approx.)
Alberta $70,000
British Columbia $64,000
Ontario $63,000
Saskatchewan $62,000
Manitoba $60,000
Quebec $58,000
Newfoundland and Labrador $60,000
Nova Scotia $54,000
New Brunswick $53,000
Prince Edward Island $52,000

Salary by profession

Healthcare

Profession Median Annual (Canada)
Physician (GP) $250,000–$350,000
Dentist $150,000–$280,000
Pharmacist $105,000–$140,000
Nurse (RN) $75,000–$105,000
Physiotherapist $70,000–$95,000
Optometrist $120,000–$200,000
Psychologist $80,000–$130,000
Radiographer $70,000–$95,000
Midwife $80,000–$120,000
Veterinarian $80,000–$130,000

Technology & engineering

Profession Median Annual (Canada)
Software Engineer $95,000–$160,000
Data Scientist $95,000–$160,000
Engineer (P.Eng.) $80,000–$140,000
Architect $75,000–$130,000
IT Manager $95,000–$155,000
Project Manager (PMP) $85,000–$140,000
HR Manager (CPHR) $80,000–$140,000
Marketing Manager $75,000–$130,000
Graphic Designer $50,000–$85,000

Law, finance & business

Profession Median Annual (Canada)
Lawyer $90,000–$250,000+
Accountant (CPA) $65,000–$130,000
Financial Advisor $60,000–$200,000+
IT Manager $95,000–$155,000
Project Manager $85,000–$140,000
HR Manager $80,000–$135,000
Marketing Manager $75,000–$125,000
Financial Manager $90,000–$160,000
Financial Advisor / CFP $60,000–$200,000+
Real Estate Agent $50,000–$120,000 (variable)

Trades & skilled work

Profession Median Annual (Canada)
Electrician $65,000–$100,000
Plumber $65,000–$95,000
Welder $55,000–$85,000
Mechanic $55,000–$80,000
Construction Worker $50,000–$90,000 (varies by trade)
Truck Driver $55,000–$85,000
Train Conductor $75,000–$115,000

Public sector & other

Profession Median Annual (Canada)
Teacher (K-12) $60,000–$100,000
Police Officer $65,000–$100,000
Firefighter/Paramedic $65,000–$100,000
Military (Regular Force) $50,000–$120,000 (rank-dependent)
Government Worker $60,000–$100,000+
Pilot (Commercial) $80,000–$220,000
Social Worker $55,000–$80,000
Chef $40,000–$75,000
Journalist $45,000–$80,000

Salary negotiation: key principles

Before you accept any offer:

  1. Research salary ranges using Job Bank Canada, industry surveys, and peer networks
  2. Know your minimum acceptable number before the conversation starts
  3. Let the employer move first — avoid anchoring too low yourself
  4. Counter with a specific number 10–20% above the offer, with a brief justification
  5. Negotiate the full package: signing bonus, benefits, vacation, flexibility

See: How to Negotiate Salary in Canada | How to Ask for a Raise | Counter Offer Guide

If part of your compensation depends on overtime, model that separately before comparing roles: Overtime Calculator.

Evaluating a job offer

Base salary is only one piece. Before you accept:

Component Questions to Ask
RRSP/pension match How much does employer match? When does it vest?
Vacation How many days? Is unused vacation paid out?
Benefits Dental, vision, extended health? Family or individual?
Bonus structure Discretionary or formula-based? Target amount?
Remote work Required in-office days? Travel requirements?
Equity/stock Grant size, vesting schedule, strike price (for stock options)
Professional development Budget for courses, conferences, designations?

See: How to Evaluate a Job Offer | Total Compensation vs Salary | Negotiating a Benefits Package

Salary articles

National averages & benchmarks

Profession-specific guides

Calculators

Negotiation & career

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