Key Facts: Canada Wages
- Country
- Canada (CAN)
- Continent
- North America
- Currency
- Canadian Dollar (CAD)
- Minimum Wage
- C$18.10 /hr ($12.72 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- C$5,708 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- C$68,500 /year
- Median Individual Income
- C$44,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- Government of Canada - Labour Program
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-28
Canada — Average Salary & Wages
Canadian Dollar (CAD) Data verified Apr 2026 Sources
The average salary in Canada is
C$68,500 a year
But half of all workers earn less than C$44,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Canada is C$18.10/hr ($12.72 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is C$5,708 ($4,012.94 USD). The median monthly income is C$3,666.67 ($2,577.80 USD).
Canada's minimum wage is among the highest for North America, ranking #5 out of 32 countries with statutory minimum wages. Over the past 5 years, the minimum wage has increased by 21% in nominal terms. The standard work week is 40 hours.
Average weekly earnings for all employees including overtime, annualized (StatCan SEPH 2025). Significant variation by province and industry.
• SECTOR RATES
Nunavut
C$19.75 /hr
Since 2025-09-01
Highest minimum wage in Canada. Formula-indexed; next adjustment September 1, 2026.
Yukon
C$18.51 /hr
Since 2026-04-01
CPI-indexed annually each April 1.
British Columbia
C$17.85 /hr
Since 2025-06-01
CPI-indexed annually. Increases to $18.25/hr on June 1, 2026.
British Columbia (from June 2026)
C$18.25 /hr
Since 2026-06-01
Scheduled CPI-indexed increase.
Ontario
C$17.60 /hr
Since 2025-10-01
CPI-indexed annually each October 1. Increases to $17.95/hr on October 1, 2026.
Ontario (from Oct 2026)
C$17.95 /hr
Since 2026-10-01
Scheduled CPI-indexed increase.
Prince Edward Island
C$17 /hr
Since 2026-04-01
Increases to $17.30/hr on October 1, 2026.
Northwest Territories
C$16.95 /hr
Since 2025-09-01
Formula-indexed; next adjustment September 1, 2026.
Nova Scotia
C$16.75 /hr
Since 2026-04-01
Increases to $17.00/hr on October 1, 2026.
Quebec
C$16.60 /hr
Since 2026-05-01
Rate just increased May 1, 2026 per CNESST annual adjustment.
Newfoundland and Labrador
C$16.35 /hr
Since 2026-04-01
Manitoba
C$16 /hr
Since 2025-10-01
Increases to $16.40/hr on October 1, 2026.
New Brunswick
C$15.90 /hr
Since 2026-04-01
Saskatchewan
C$15.35 /hr
Since 2025-10-01
Annual adjustments take effect October 1.
Alberta
C$15 /hr
Since 2018-10-01
Lowest provincial minimum wage in Canada. Unchanged since October 2018; no indexation formula.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2021, the minimum wage has grown +21% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Canada, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $15.74/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Canada earns C$3,137/mo. That is 55% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- C$3,137 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 55% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $2,205.43/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +21% since 2021
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- C$18.10
- Monthly
- C$3,137.33Based on 173.33 hours/month (40 hrs/week)
- Annual
- C$37,648Based on 2,080 hours/year (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks)
Federal minimum wage applies to federally regulated private-sector workers only. Each province and territory sets its own minimum wage for the vast majority of workers under provincial jurisdiction. Provincial rates range from Alberta ($15.00) to Nunavut ($19.75).
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Federal standard is 40 hours/week with overtime after 40 hours at 1.5x. Maximum 48 hours/week unless authorized. Provincial rules vary (e.g., Ontario overtime after 44 hrs).
Provinces & Territories · 13 regions
1 more provinces & territories — C$15 – C$15 /hr
How Canada Compares
| Metric | Canada | North America Avg. | North America Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $12.72/hr | $5.81/hr | $17.13/hr (Bermuda) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $4,012.94/mo | $1,569.85/mo | $6,228/mo (United States) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Gibraltar | $12.80 |
| Falkland Islands | $12.38 |
| Monaco | $13.52 |
| Israel | $11.89 |
| New Zealand | $13.58 |
| Canada | $12.72 |
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Belize Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Canada on our sister site.
Cost of living in Canada on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Canada?
The minimum wage in Canada is C$18.10/hr (approximately $12.72 USD), effective since 2026-04-01. Federal minimum wage applies to federally regulated private-sector workers only. Each province and territory sets its own minimum wage for the vast majority of workers under provincial jurisdiction. Provincial rates range from Alberta ($15.00) to Nunavut ($19.75).
What is the average salary in Canada?
The average gross monthly salary in Canada is C$5,708 (approximately $4,012.94 USD). Average weekly earnings for all employees including overtime, annualized (StatCan SEPH 2025). Significant variation by province and industry. Source: Statistics Canada (2025).
How many hours is the standard work week in Canada?
The standard work week in Canada is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Federal standard is 40 hours/week with overtime after 40 hours at 1.5x. Maximum 48 hours/week unless authorized. Provincial rules vary (e.g., Ontario overtime after 44 hrs).
How has the minimum wage in Canada changed over time?
The minimum wage in Canada has changed as follows: C$15 in 2021, C$15.55 in 2022, C$16.65 in 2023, C$17.30 in 2024, C$17.75 in 2025, C$18.10 in 2026. This represents 6 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Canada in USD?
The minimum wage in Canada converts to approximately $12.72/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Canada in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Canada is approximately $4,012.94 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Canada's minimum wage compare to the North America average?
Canada's minimum wage ranks #5 out of 32 countries with statutory minimum wages in North America, placing it above the median for North America.
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