The Average Canadian Salary in 2024
Publié le 4 November 2024
What is the average Canadian salary in 2024? Job seekers and employers should be aware of the newest salary statistics from across the country, especially in a competitive job market.
Finances are on the minds of workers across the country. Statistics Canada has released the latest gathering of data highlighting changes to salaries and wages across multiple job sectors and in the different provinces and territories of Canada.
By reviewing and analyzing this data, it can provide answers to important questions that working professionals have about the current state of the job market and the economy as a whole. By knowing the average Canadian salary in 2024, job seekers and employers will have a more accurate understanding of the impact economic forces are having on their job and industry.
This data will help professionals know if they are being properly compensated for the skills and abilities that they bring to the workplace. For those considering making a career change, it provides a clearer picture of the industries where their talent will be valued. To build a professional life and career that will last into the future, it’s important to understand important salary information.
What Is The Average Canadian Salary in 2024?
As of September 2024, the average Canadian salary is $1,267.54 per week or $65,912.08 per year for full-time employees. When reviewing the data from province to province, the overall salary trend is positive across the country. Workers in each province and territory are earning more money than in the previous year.
This is partially a result of minimum wage increases in many provinces, including Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. Where workers are living and the job sector in which they are employed also have a significant impact on the totally salary earned by Canadian workers, and requires further review.
Average Canadian Annual Salary by Province and Territory (data from September 2024)
- Canada: $65,912.08
- Newfoundland and Labrador: $65,148.20
- Prince Edward Island: $55,537.56
- Nova Scotia: $58,290.44
- New Brunswick: $59,588.88
- Quebec: $62,803.52
- Ontario: $67,588.04
- Manitoba: $60,081.84
- Saskatchewan: $63,320.92
- Alberta: $69,493.84
- British Columbia: $66,684.80
- Yukon: $75,311.60
- Northwest Territories: $89,311.04
- Nunavut: $89,227.32
It is true that the average Canadian salary in 2024 has increased in each province and territory, the actual amount earned can differ widely from area to area. The average annual salary remains high in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and the territories, but is still lower in three of the Maritime provinces.
One interesting note is that the annual average salary in Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan has surpassed that of Quebec, and is nearing those of British Columbia and Ontario. Since Saskatchewan and Newfoundland have much lower costs of living than Ontario and BC, this should make relocating to these regions much more appealing to job seekers looking to get the most value from their compensation.
As in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the highest annual salaries in Canada are found in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The natural resource sector plays an important economic role in these three territories, and continue to play a key role in the overall Canadian economy.
The Provinces/Territories with the Highest Rate of Salary Growth
Although salaries have increased in every province and territory, the level of growth is not identical throughout the country. In 2023, the Northwest Territories had the highest increase to the average annual salary, with a 7.8% raise, followed closely by Nunavut with a 7.2% increase. These two territories already enjoy some of the highest salaries in Canada, so increases this large indicate strong economic activity. Nova Scotia experienced a 4.9% increase, the largest of any Maritime province. Prince Edward Island, Manitoba and the Yukon all experienced identical raises of 4.7%. They are very closely followed by Ontario at 4.6%, which also experienced a large minimum wage increase in 2024.
- Northwest Territories – +7.8%
- Nunavut – +7.2%
- Nova Scotia – +4.9%
- P.E.I. / Manitoba / Yukon – +4.7%
- Ontario – +4.6%
The Provinces/Territories with the Lowest Rate of Salary Growth
The average Canadian salary in 2024 did not decrease in any province or territory in the country. The inflation rate averaged from 2%-3% over the course of 2024, which is lower than the salary increases in every province. This is good news for Canadian workers, but it should be noted the previous years of high inflation and increased costs of living have still resulted created financial hardship for many.
It’s interesting to note that Alberta experienced the lowest increase to the average salary, while still offering the highest actual salary of any province. The only areas to offer a higher average salary are the three territories.
- New Brunswick – 3.9%
- Quebec – 3.8
- Saskatchewan – 3.8
- Alberta – 3.3
Average Annual Canadian Salary by Job Sector*
- Accommodation and Food Services – $26,098.80
- Administrative and Support – $54,847.52
- Arts, Entertainment and Recreation – $39,150.28
- Construction – $78,209.04
- Education – $66,113.84
- Finance and Insurance – $87,012.12
- Forestry and Logging – $73,354.32
- Health Care and Social Assistance – $59,173.40
- Information and Culture Industries – $95,060.68
- Management of Companies and Enterprises – $90,064.52
- Manufacturing – $71,022.12
- Mining, Oil and Gas Extraction – $128,535.16
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services – $93,438.80
- Public Administration – $85,020.00
- Real Estate (Rental/Leasing) – $65,905.84
- Retail – $39,039.52
- Transportation and Warehousing – $67,523.56
- Utilities – $107,572.92
- Wholesale Trade – $78,468.52
*Data from September 2024
Canadian Industries with the Most Growth in 2024
The average salary in Canada has increased, but this change is far from identical in every job sector. There are certain industries that have experienced far greater salary growth this year, while others have had only modest increases. Reviewing the industries that have experienced the greatest salary increases indicated which sectors are experiencing growth or are poised for it in the near future. This will help job seekers understand the sectors where their skill will be valued and for which they will be compensated for as industries expand.
- Mining, Quarrying, Oil and Gas Extraction – 9.88%
- Information and Culture Industries – 9.64%
- Education – 7.01%
- Health Care and Social Assistance – 5.67%
- Retail – 5.59%
Only two Canadian industries have experienced annual salary growth nearing the job double digits. This compares to 2023, when there were two industries that experienced salary growth of 10% or higher. Of interesting note that two of the five industries with the greatest amount of growth also offer two of the highest salaries — the Mining, Quarrying, Oil and Gas Extraction and Information and Culture Industries experienced 9.88% and 9.64% salary, respectively. At the same time, the Retail industry experienced the fifth highest amount of salary growth, while offering one of the lowest annual salaries.
The top four job sectors with the highest salary growth this year all require specialized skills and training. This fact highlights acquiring career-specific skills and remaining committed to ongoing learning and upskilling can have a real impact on career growth and related compensation. Achieving strong financial success within one of these industries appears to be directly tied to learning specific skills.
Canadian Industries With The Lowest Average Annual Salary Growth
While the average Canadian salary in 2024 has increased, this has not occurred in all industries and sectors. There are even two industries that have experienced a decrease in their average annual salary, and another with a marginal increase below the rate of inflation.
- Administrative and Support – 2.59%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises – 2.29%
- Construction – 0.33%
- Forestry and Logging – -0.91%
- Utilities – -2.75%
Foresty and Logging and the Utilities industries have experienced a decrease in their average annual salary. The Foresty and Logging sector also experienced low salary growth in 2023, but still offers a salary higher than the Canadian average. The Utilities sector experienced the biggest decrease – -2.75% – while still offer the second highest average salary of any Canadian job sector.
The Construction industry experienced a very small increase, below the rate of inflation. There has been moderate growth in the industry this year, with a slowdown attributed to a decrease in residential construction. Given the frequent public discussions surrounding the Canadian housing and the growing need for affordable housing, the Construction industry and its salary offering deserves close attention in the near future.
The Canadian Job Sectors with the Highest Average Annual Salary
- Mining, Quarrying, Oil and Gas Extraction – $128,535.16
- Utilities – $107,572.92
- Information and Culture Industries – $95,060.68
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services – $93,438.80
- Management of Companies and Enterprises – $90,064.52
As in the previous three years, the majority of job sectors with the highest average annual salary are linked to the energy and natural resource industries. The Mining, Oil and Gas Extraction and Utilities sectors are the only ones with an average annual salary of more than $100,000 in 2024.
The Mining, Oil and Gas Extraction sector remains, by far, the one with the highest salary. Despite the Utilities sector experiencing the largest decrease in annual salary, it remains the second highest overall.
The Information and Culture Industries sector and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services sector have continued to experience high growth this year. Information and Culture Industries in particular experienced nearly 10% growth to its average annual salary. Given that each professionals looking to break into these sectors must possess industry-specific skills, it highlights the fact that strong compensation be earned by people dedicated to learning, training, and earning the right credentials.
The Canadian Job Sectors with the Lowest Average Annual Salary
- Health Care and Social Assistance – $59,173.40
- Administrative and Support – $54,847.52
- Arts, Entertainment and Recreation – $39,150.28
- Retail – $39,039.52
- Accommodation and Food Services – $26,098.80
As in 2023, there are currently three job sectors where the average Canadian salary in 2024 is under $50,000 per year. Of the five lowest earning job sectors, professionals working in the Health Care and Social Assistance and Administrative and Support industries are now both making over $50,000 per year, an increase from the previous year.
The lowest annual salaries in Canada continue to be found in the Retail and Accommodation and Food Services. This is inspite of the Retail sector experiencing a 5.59% increase in the average salary, the fifth largest of any industry in Canada. By a wide margin, the Accommodation and Food Services continues to the lowest average earning sector in Canada, and is the only sector with an average annual salary below $35,000. Restaurant owners and people working in these sectors still face significant financial challenges after years of higher inflation and increased costs of living.
The Economic Path Ahead
The latest collection of data released by Statistics Canada shows that the average Canadian salary in 2024 has increased in every province and territory. For professionals determined to build a successful career path, earning specific credentials and skills remains the most likely way to enter on of the most high-paying sectors in Canada. Even in the specific sectors that have experienced a decrease in average salary, such as Utilites, there are still positions available that offer high compensation.
Even though inflation rates have decreased after remaining high for multiple years, there are still certain job sectors facing low salary growth. Combined with higher costs of living, it is clear that there are still economic and financial challenges for workers across the country. Ensuring the professionals at all stage of their career are informed of the average Canadian salary across multiple industries will help them understand if they are being properly compensation for their skills, experience and hard work.
