The average salary in each province & territory was revealed and the gap keeps growing

If you've been wondering how your paycheque stacks up against the rest of the country, here's your chance to find out. New data on the average salary in Canada was just released, and the numbers show that where you live could make a huge difference in how much you earn.

According to Statistics Canada's latest payroll data release, the average Canadian salary hit $1,294.26 per week in January 2025 (the most recent data available). That works out to around $67,300 a year — a 5.5% increase compared to the same time last year.

But depending on your province or territory, your earnings could be a whole lot higher... or a whole lot lower.

The growing pay gap across Canada

Canada's provincial salary divide is widening. While the national average is climbing, some regions are pulling far ahead, and others are falling further behind.

The difference between the top-earning and lowest-earning areas is now more than $37,000 per year — a whopping 30% year-over-year increase, showing the pay gap is growing at an alarming rate.

Nunavut had the highest average earnings in January, pulling ahead of the Northwest Territories, which held the top spot the previous month.

Weekly pay in Nunavut rose to $1,821.77 — more than $94,700 per year — jumping by over $120 in a single month. That was enough to bump Nunavut into the top spot among all provinces and territories.

Wages in Nunavut have increased more than 7% over the past year, with high living costs and remote working conditions potentially contributing to the pay bump, as employers try to attract and retain workers in isolated communities.

Meanwhile, at the other end, P.E.I. had the lowest average salary in the country. Workers there earned $1,097.38 per week on average, or just over $57,000 a year. That's a difference of over $37,600 compared to Nunavut.

Alberta and Ontario hold steady

Alberta continues to lead among the provinces, with average annual earnings now topping $71,000. Jobs in oil, energy and other high-paying sectors help push up wages in this resource-rich province.

Ontario also remains strong, landing just shy of $70,000 per year on average, thanks to steady growth in industries like finance, health care and tech.

Atlantic provinces still behind

Salaries in the Atlantic region continue to trail the rest of Canada, with P.E.I., Nova Scotia and New Brunswick all at (or near) the bottom of the national list.

These areas also saw smaller month-over-month increases, and the overall wage gap compared to the rest of the country continues to grow.

Even with lower pay, the cost of living in these regions can make day-to-day life more manageable. Housing costs, especially, tend to be lower in the Maritimes — which helps balance out the difference in earnings for some residents.

Average weekly earnings by province and territory

Here's how each region ranked, based on January 2025 data from Statistics Canada.

Above the national average:

1. Nunavut — $1,821.77/week ($94,732/year)
2. Northwest Territories — $1,814.09/week ($94,333/year)
3. Yukon — $1,484.62/week ($77,200/year)
4. Alberta — $1,368.07/week ($71,140/year)
5. Ontario — $1,329.75/week ($69,147/year)
6. British Columbia — $1,299.99/week ($67,599/year)

Below the national average:

7. Newfoundland and Labrador — $1,286.67/week ($66,907/year)
8. Saskatchewan — $1,262.05/week ($65,627/year)
9. Quebec — $1,237.52/week ($64,351/year)
10. New Brunswick — $1,182.25/week ($61,477/year)
11. Manitoba — $1,164.53/week ($60,556/year)
12. Nova Scotia — $1,148.93/week ($59,744/year)
13. Prince Edward Island — $1,097.38/week ($57,064/year)

Wage growth slows down

January's numbers showed average weekly wages were essentially unchanged from December, even though the year-over-year increase hit 5.5%.

That's still ahead of the inflation rate — which is good news — but many Canadians are still feeling the squeeze from high prices for housing, groceries and other essentials.

Why regional salary data matters

With job vacancies dropping 20.6% compared to last year, workers may face more competition for higher-paying roles in 2025. For people thinking about relocating or negotiating a raise, understanding the latest salary trends by region can be a helpful starting point.

Comparing where each province and territory stands can highlight where opportunities are growing — and where paycheques are having a harder time keeping up.

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