Average Salary in Canada 2025: Stats by Age, Province & Job

If you’ve ever wondered whether your paycheck matches what others earn across Canada, you’re not alone. The average salary in Canada landed at roughly CAD $67,300 in early 2025 according to payroll data from Statistics Canada, but that number shifts dramatically depending on where you live, your age, and your industry.

Average annual salary (pre-tax): CAD $67,300 (Narcity, Jan 2025) · Median annual income: CAD $68,400 (Statistics Canada, 2021) · Highest paying province: Alberta (~CAD $71,340) · Lowest paying province: Prince Edward Island (~CAD $57,230)

Here is a summary of key salary statistics:

What is the average salary in Canada?

What is the median income in Canada?

The median annual income in Canada was CAD $68,400 according to Statistics Canada’s 2021 census data. The median — the midpoint where half earn more and half earn less — is a more reliable indicator of typical earnings than the mean, which can be pulled upward by high earners. By comparison, the average weekly wage in early 2025 sat at CAD $1,294.26, according to Narcity (media), translating to roughly $67,300 annually.

What is the average salary by age?

Younger Canadians earn considerably less, with those aged 25–34 reporting a median income around CAD $47,000 (Statistics Canada, 2021). Earnings peak in the 45–54 bracket at roughly $75,000 before declining in the 55+ group. The pattern is consistent across provinces, though the peak levels are higher in Alberta and lower in Atlantic Canada.

What is the average salary by province?

Salaries vary more by postal code than by any other single factor. The table below shows average weekly earnings from Narcity’s analysis of Statistics Canada January 2025 payroll data, converted to annual figures.

The catch: these are pre-tax averages. After federal and provincial income tax, Alberta’s advantage narrows because it lacks a provincial sales tax but has higher wages; Quebec’s higher taxes offset its lower average salary.

What is a good salary in Canada?

Is $70,000 a year a good salary in Canada?

Yes — $70,000 sits above the national median and well above the average in most provinces. In Alberta or Ontario it covers a comfortable lifestyle for a single person in a mid-sized city. In Toronto or Vancouver, rent can consume 30–40% of that gross income. As Oyster HR (global employment platform) notes, cost-of-living adjustments are essential: $70,000 stretches far more in Fredericton than in downtown Toronto.

“Cost-of-living adjustments are essential: $70,000 stretches far more in Fredericton than in downtown Toronto.” — Oyster HR (global employment platform)

Is $100,000 middle class in Canada?

Not exactly. Most definitions place middle-class income between $50,000 and $100,000 for a single earner. At $100,000, you’re in the upper-middle tier — roughly the top 15% of individual earners, according to Statistics Canada income brackets. For a family, $100,000 may still feel middle class if you have two children in a high-cost city.

What is middle class income in Canada?

It depends on household size and location. The think tank Statistics Canada (national statistical agency) defines the middle 60% of earners roughly as those making between $45,000 and $100,000 (individuals). For a family of four, middle class often ranges $80,000–$140,000 in large cities. The variation is huge.

“The middle 60% of earners roughly makes between $45,000 and $100,000 for individuals.” — Statistics Canada (national statistical agency)

Can you live on $3,000 a month in Canada?

Can you live on $2,000 a month in Canada?

Extremely tight. In Prince Edward Island or rural New Brunswick, $2,000 might cover rent and basic groceries — but only if you have subsidized housing or roommates. In Toronto, average one-bedroom rent alone surpassed $2,500 in early 2025 according to rentals.ca; in Montreal it’s around $1,500. A single person with no dependents could get by on $2,000/month only in the lowest-cost regions, and savings would be impossible.

What is the average cost of living in Canada by province?

Housing is the biggest variable. A one-bedroom rental ranges from $900 in rural Saskatchewan to $2,800 in downtown Vancouver. Food, transportation, and utilities fluctuate less dramatically. Using data from Narcity (media), a single person needs roughly $3,500/month for a basic lifestyle in Toronto, but only $2,600/month in Charlottetown.

Is $500,000 enough to retire on in Canada?

Barely. Withdrawing 4% per year gives $20,000 — below the poverty line for a single person. Most retirement calculators recommend at least $1 million for a comfortable retirement in Canada, especially if you plan to stay in a major city. CPP and OAS add roughly $1,200/month, but that still falls short for most retirees.

What jobs make $500,000 a year in Canada?

What jobs pay $200,000 a year in Canada?

Roles paying $200,000+ are concentrated in a few fields: physicians and surgeons (often $250,000–$400,000), senior software engineers at top tech firms ($180,000–$300,000), and corporate lawyers at major firms. Data from Oyster HR (global employment platform) shows that C-suite executives in finance and technology regularly exceed $300,000.

What are the highest paying professions in Canada?

According to Statistics Canada’s payroll employment survey, the highest average weekly earnings are in mining, oil & gas extraction (over $2,500/week), utilities, and management of enterprises. Healthcare and tech follow closely. Jobs paying $500,000+ are rare — typically top executives, specialist surgeons, or hedge fund managers — and represent well under 1% of workers.

Is it cheaper to live in Canada or the USA?

How do salaries compare between Canada and the USA?

The median US income was about USD $70,784 in 2024 (Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances), while Canada’s median was CAD $68,400 (about USD $50,000 at current exchange rates). American nominal salaries are higher, but so are costs: US healthcare premiums average over $7,000/year for single coverage, while Canada’s universal system means no direct premiums.

Which country has a lower cost of living?

Overall, Canada tends to be cheaper than the US for rent, healthcare, and education. Toronto is 15–20% less expensive than New York City or San Francisco, according to Narcity (media). However, consumer goods, electronics, and cars are often pricier in Canada due to smaller market and higher taxes. For families, the total cost of living in Canada is usually lower — but the take-home pay is also lower.

Frequently asked questions

The takeaway: whether you’re a new graduate or an experienced professional, knowing the average salary in Canada by province and age helps you negotiate smarter and plan for where your money will go furthest.