New data shows how much Canadians make in every province and the difference is huge
One province is earning over $200 less PER WEEK than another! 😬
A person works from home.
Ever wondered how your paycheque would stack up if you lived in another part of the country? New data from Statistics Canada gives us a clear picture of what Canadians are earning from coast to coast — and it turns out there's a pretty big difference between the best and worst-paid provinces.
Statistics Canada recently shared an in-depth look at salaries nationwide, breaking down the average weekly earnings in June 2024 in each province across all job sectors.
Keep in mind that an average is calculated by adding up all the earnings and dividing by the total number of workers. This means that the end figure can sometimes be influenced by extreme earners at the top or bottom, giving a picture that might not reflect what's typical for everyone.
Despite that, the data still gives an interesting overview of what people are being paid up and down the country. While the national average weekly earnings sit at $1,253, there are some noticeable differences depending on where you live.
Here's a closer look, from the best-paid provinces to the worst-paid provinces.
Alberta
Average weekly earnings: $1,330 per week
Alberta tops the list with the highest average weekly earnings. This is $77 more each week than the national average, making Alberta the best place in the country to earn a solid paycheque.
Ontario
Average weekly earnings: $1,284 per week
Ontario isn't far behind, with an average that’s $31 above the national figure. As the country's economic powerhouse, Ontario's diverse industries—ranging from finance to tech—keep wages competitive.
B.C.
Average weekly earnings: $1,274 per week
B.C. lands just shy of Ontario's numbers, which may be thanks to its thriving tech sector and bustling film industry. Vancouver's rising cost of living might be tough, but the paycheques here help to balance it out.
P.E.I.
Average weekly earnings: $1,253 per week
In P.E.I. the local weekly earnings match the national average exactly. Nothing wrong with being bang-average!
Newfoundland and Labrador
Average weekly earnings: $1,231 per week
Newfoundland and Labrador's average earnings are respectable at $1,231 per week, which is $12 under the country's national average.
Saskatchewan
Average weekly earnings: $1,219 per week
In Saskatchewan, weekly earnings aren't far off Newfoundland and Labrador's. It's arguably a strong showing for a province with a relatively small population.
Quebec
Average weekly earnings: $1,194 per week
Quebec’s earnings are $59 below the national average, making it the seventh highest (or fourth lowest, depending on your perspective) in the country. It lags behind neighbouring Ontario and is slightly higher than New Brunswick.
Manitoba
Average weekly earnings: $1,141 per week
Manitoba ranks eighth, with earnings $112 below the national average. It falls behind both Saskatchewan and Ontario.
New Brunswick
Average weekly earnings: $1,129 per week
Workers in New Brunswick are getting paid on average $124 less than their counterparts every week, placing the province near the bottom of the earnings list.
Nova Scotia
Average weekly earnings: $1,116 per week
Nova Scotia ranks last among the provinces, with earnings $137 below the national average. It's $214 less per week than top-earning Alberta, $158 less than in Ontario, and $158 less than in B.C.
This places Nova Scotia significantly behind the higher-earning provinces, highlighting a notable wage gap across the country.
It's worth noting though that salaries in some cities and regions may be higher to reflect the higher costs of living in those areas.
If you were wondering where Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut are on this list, Statistics Canada didn't include data for those regions, unfortunately!
This data highlights how much where you live can affect your paycheque in Canada. Whether you're considering a move or just curious, it's clear that the job market is as diverse as the country itself!
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