Canadian Salary Expectations by Province 2026: Real Numbers for 50+ Jobs

Average Salaries in Canada 2026

Canada's average household income is ~CAD $95,000, but salaries vary significantly by province, industry, education, and experience. Here's what newcomers should expect when negotiating offers.

Technology Sector

Ontario (Toronto): Junior Developer CAD $65,000–$85,000 | Mid-level CAD $90,000–$130,000 | Senior CAD $130,000–$180,000+

British Columbia (Vancouver): Junior Developer CAD $70,000–$90,000 | Mid-level CAD $100,000–$150,000 | Senior CAD $140,000–$200,000+

Quebec (Montreal): Junior Developer CAD $60,000–$80,000 | Mid-level CAD $80,000–$120,000 | Senior CAD $120,000–$160,000

Alberta (Calgary/Edmonton): Junior Developer CAD $65,000–$85,000 | Mid-level CAD $90,000–$130,000 | Senior CAD $130,000–$170,000

Healthcare Sector

Registered Nurse: Ontario CAD $62,000–$75,000 | BC CAD $70,000–$85,000 | Alberta CAD $65,000–$80,000 | Atlantic Provinces CAD $55,000–$70,000

Pharmacist: Ontario CAD $75,000–$95,000 | BC CAD $80,000–$100,000 | Alberta CAD $78,000–$98,000

Physiotherapist: National average CAD $70,000–$90,000; higher in major cities

Skilled Trades

Electrician: Ontario CAD $60,000–$85,000 | BC CAD $65,000–$90,000 | Alberta CAD $70,000–$95,000+

Truck Driver: National average CAD $55,000–$75,000; $85,000+ with hazmat/long-haul specialization

Welder: Ontario CAD $55,000–$75,000 | Alberta CAD $65,000–$90,000 | BC CAD $60,000–$85,000

Cost of Living by Province

Most Expensive: British Columbia (Vancouver), Ontario (Toronto) — rent, housing, and food 30–50% above national average

Moderate: Alberta, Quebec — reasonable salaries offset by lower cost of living

Most Affordable: Atlantic Provinces, Prairie Provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan) — lower salaries but significantly lower cost of living

Salary Negotiation Tips

• Research using Glassdoor, PayScale, and Statistics Canada data before interviews
• Consider total compensation (benefits, pension, stock options), not just base salary
• Unionized roles (trades, healthcare, public sector) have set pay scales
• Remote roles may pay differently than office-based roles in same city
• Entry-level positions often pay 10–20% less in first-year Canadian experience