New Canada Salary Report Exposes Huge Pay Gaps In 2025

Last Updated On 8 November 2025, 6:34 PM EST (Toronto Time)

Canada’s paycheques are painting very different stories depending on where Canadian workers live.

With the cost of living still weighing on households, understanding how your income compares to others across the country has never been more important.

According to the latest Statistics Canada update, the average weekly earnings in Canada climbed to $1,312, marking a 3% increase over the same month last year.

But behind this national average lies a patchwork of wage realities—with some provinces pulling ahead and others falling behind.

This detailed breakdown explores how salaries vary across provinces and territories, what sectors are hiring, and why regional differences matter more than ever as Canadians try to balance income with rising expenses.

TLDR: Canada’s Latest Salary Report 2025

Average salary in Canada (2025): $1,312 per week, or about $68,200 per year.
Top earning region: Nunavut, with average weekly earnings of $1,816.
Lowest earning province: Prince Edward Island, averaging $1,150 per week.
Fastest wage growth: Prince Edward Island (+5.8%) and Quebec (+4.4%).
National wage growth: Up 3% compared to last year, outpacing inflation.
Employment trends: Job vacancies down to 457,400, the lowest since 2017.
Unemployment rate (October 2025): 6.9% nationwide.
Job market outlook: 3.5 unemployed people per available job, indicating a competitive market.

National Snapshot: Earnings Rising, But Slowly

Average weekly earnings across Canada rose to $1,312, a modest improvement from 2024.

While that might sound encouraging, month-to-month growth has largely flattened, showing that pay raises are losing momentum after steady gains earlier in the year.

This slower pace of growth reflects multiple factors — including the types of jobs people hold, wage negotiations across industries, and hours worked.

Even though salaries are increasing, they are barely keeping pace with inflation, meaning real purchasing power has improved only slightly.

The national average also hides large regional differences.

For example, workers in Nunavut are making almost twice as much as those in Prince Edward Island, driven mostly by the higher cost of living in remote northern areas.

Employment Deep Dive: The Job Landscape

Canada’s employment picture remains mixed. In October 2025, total employment rose by about 67,000 positions, pushing the national unemployment rate down to 6.9%.

The total number of employed persons stood at 21.08 million, an increase of 0.3% from the previous month.

Youth employment saw a notable uptick, with 21,000 new jobs among people aged 15 to 24, bringing their unemployment rate down to 14.1%.

However, job vacancies continue to decline, falling to just over 457,000 in August—the lowest level since 2017.

There are now approximately 3.5 unemployed Canadians competing for each available job opening, the highest ratio in nearly a decade.

This tightening labour market suggests that finding work may take longer, and pay negotiations could be more competitive.

Sectors showing strength include wholesale and retail trade, transportation, warehousing, and information and cultural industries.

By contrast, construction and certain goods-producing sectors have seen modest declines.

The data highlights a steady but cautious labour environment, with growth offset by reduced hiring in key industries.

Province-Wise Average Weekly Earnings In 2025

Canada’s average salary depends heavily on geography. While the national figure sits at $1,312 per week, provincial and territorial differences reveal striking contrasts.

Region	Average Weekly Earnings	Approximate Annual Equivalent	Year-over-Year Change
Nunavut	$1,815.60	94,411	+3.8%
Northwest Territories	$1,765.55	91,809	+3.7%
Yukon	$1,493.20	77,646	+3.4%
Alberta	$1,363.53	70,904	+0.8%
Ontario	$1,350.66	70,234	+3.5%
British Columbia	$1,304.60	67,839	+1.6%
Saskatchewan	$1,275.38	66,320	+3.3%
Quebec	$1,276.28	66,367	+4.4%
Newfoundland and Labrador	$1,296.34	67,410	+3.3%
New Brunswick	$1,197.89	62,290	+3.3%
Nova Scotia	$1,177.64	61,237	+3.6%
Prince Edward Island	$1,150.61	59,832	+5.8%

The northern territories continue to lead the country, with Nunavut residents earning over $1,800 per week on average — reflecting the high cost of food, transportation, and housing in remote areas.

Among the major provinces, Alberta and Ontario maintain the highest weekly pay, both above $1,350, while Prince Edward Island remains the lowest at just over $1,150.

However, P.E.I. is also seeing the fastest growth rate in the country, at nearly 6%, far outpacing national inflation.

Regions Seeing the Biggest Pay Gains

Not all provinces are keeping pace equally.

Prince Edward Island and Quebec are leading the pack in wage growth, with year-over-year increases of 5.8 and 4.4% respectively.

Their salaries are rising much faster than inflation, giving residents a real boost in disposable income.

Meanwhile, Alberta’s average earnings grew by less than 1%, despite still ranking among the highest in Canada.

British Columbia’s wage growth of just 1.6% also lagged inflation, meaning that real wages in the province have effectively declined.

These differences point to varying economic pressures. Some provinces are experiencing labour shortages and higher wage competition, while others are facing slower demand and less bargaining power for employees.

What It Means for Job Seekers and Workers

Higher earnings are only part of the story. A bigger paycheque does not always translate to better financial health, especially in regions where housing and daily costs eat away most of that income.

Workers in Nunavut, for example, earn the highest average salaries but also face some of Canada’s most expensive living expenses.

Conversely, provinces like New Brunswick or Saskatchewan, where wages are lower, often offer a more affordable cost of living that stretches dollars further.

Job seekers should pay attention not just to wage levels but also to local job vacancies, unemployment trends, and sector demand.

The ratio of 3.5 unemployed persons per job opening signals a more competitive environment, where having in-demand skills could make a crucial difference.

For Budgeting and Career Planning

Understanding where your salary stands can help you make informed financial and career choices.

If you are earning less than your provincial average, you may want to explore sectors with higher wage growth or consider regions where your profession is in higher demand.

Those in provinces with slower growth should focus on building long-term skills and credentials that improve job stability and raise earning potential.

On the other hand, individuals in fast-growing provinces can leverage the current momentum to negotiate better pay or explore career advancement opportunities.

For families and newcomers, these insights also help when deciding where to live.

Lower-wage regions with stable costs may provide a better quality of life than high-wage cities where living expenses offset income advantages.

Canadians are earning more than they did a year ago, but the gains are uneven.

The average worker now makes around $1,312 weekly, yet that number means something very different in Alberta than it does in Nova Scotia or Yukon.

With job vacancies shrinking, competition tightening, and regional disparities widening, the true value of a paycheque depends as much on where you live as on what you earn.

As Canada’s economy continues to stabilize post-inflation, the best strategy for workers is to stay informed, adapt to changing market demands, and understand how their region compares.

Knowledge of the national salary map is no longer just interesting — it’s essential for making smarter decisions about work, money, and life in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the average salary in Canada in 2025?

As of August 2025, the average weekly earnings in Canada are approximately $1,312, which equals about $68,200 per year. This marks a 3% increase compared to the previous year, showing moderate wage growth across most industries despite slower monthly gains.

Which province in Canada have the highest average salary in 2025?

Nunavut currently has the highest average weekly earnings in Canada at around $1,816, followed by the Northwest Territories and Yukon. Among the provinces, Alberta and Ontario lead with average weekly salaries above $1,350, reflecting their higher-wage industries such as energy, construction, and finance.

Which province in Canada has the lowest average salary in 2025?

Prince Edward Island has the lowest provincial average salary in 2025, with workers earning about $1,150 per week or roughly $59,800 per year. However, P.E.I. also recorded the fastest annual wage growth of 5.8%, suggesting its pay levels are catching up to national trends.

Are wages in Canada keeping up with the cost of living in 2025?

Wage growth in 2025 has outpaced inflation slightly, with national earnings rising 3% while inflation remains below 2%. However, the cost of essentials like housing, groceries, and transportation continues to limit purchasing power, especially in major cities and northern territories.

What does the new salary data mean for job seekers in Canada?

The new Statistics Canada data shows that job seekers are facing a tighter market, with fewer job openings and higher competition. There are now about 3.5 unemployed Canadians per available job. This means candidates need stronger skills and sector-specific experience to secure higher-paying roles in 2025.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.