While doctors, lawyers and engineers tend to dominate lists of Canada's highest-paying jobs, the new data shows that simply entering one of those professions doesn't guarantee a big paycheque — plenty of people in those fields earn far less.
On the flip side, it reveals sectors where incomes are higher across the board, offering insight into not just what kind of degree or training might be valuable, but where you can put those skills to work for the biggest payoff.
We ranked each industry by its median weekly wage, which is less skewed by a few ultra-high salaries than an average and gives a better sense of typical earnings. We also looked at year-over-year wage growth in each field to spot which industries are on the rise — and which ones could be losing momentum.
Reported wages include any tips, commissions or overtime pay employees receive, giving a holistic view of actual compensation.
So whether you're just starting your career or daydreaming about a mid-life switch, here's where the highest-paying careers in Canada are as of July 2025.
Accommodation & food services
Median weekly wage: $577.50 (equivalent to $30,030 per year)
This field covers anyone working at food establishments like restaurants, cafes and bars, as well as accommodation services like hotels, motels and campgrounds.
According to Statistics Canada, the median weekly wage in July 2025 was $577.50 — up 3.13% from the same month last year — while the median hourly rate held steady at $18.00. While it's the lowest-paying sector overall, it's a major employer for students and people building customer service skills and is a popular choice for part-time and casual work.
Sales
Median weekly wage: $800.00 (equivalent to $41,600 per year)
Officially categorized by Statistics Canada as "wholesale and retail trade," this sector includes wholesalers selling in bulk to businesses and retailers selling directly to consumers. Jobs range from auto sales and grocery clerks to industrial equipment wholesalers.
The median weekly wage of $800 remains unchanged from last year, although the median hourly rate has inched up by a measly 0.23% to $21.55. The data also shows one of the widest gaps between average and median wages of any industry, which suggests high pay inequality. That's likely tied to the prevalence of minimum-wage retail jobs on one end and high-commission sales or corporate roles on the other.
Agriculture
Median weekly wage: $860.00 (equivalent to $44,720 per year)
Farms, ranches, orchards, greenhouses and aquaculture all fall under this category, and it's important to note this data isn't seasonally adjusted — meaning total pay can fluctuate a lot throughout the year in this sector.
The federal statistics agency reports that the median weekly wage in July dipped by 0.63% from last year to $860. However, the median hourly wage actually rose by 2.95% to $22, indicating that falling weekly wages may have more to do with lower working hours.
Information, culture & recreation
Median weekly wage: $880.00 (equivalent to $45,760 per year)
This sector includes everything from film studios, streaming services, publishing and broadcasting to museums, libraries, gyms and sports facilities.
According to the latest data, median weekly wages in July 2025 were unchanged from a year earlier at $880, while the median hourly wage grew modestly to $25. Notably, the average weekly wage here is nearly 30% higher than the median, pointing to significant pay inequality — likely a reflection of a small number of highly paid executives, athletes and entertainers alongside a much larger group of lower-paid workers.
Business support services
Median weekly wage: $920.00 (equivalent to $47,840 per year)
Officially categorized as "business, building and other support services," this industry encompasses a wide range of services aimed at supporting the operations of businesses — think management and holding companies, staffing agencies, HR services, call centres, cleaning services, security firms and more.
While still one of the lower-paying industries in Canada, this sector saw one of the largest wage jumps over the past year. Median weekly earnings rose 11.11% to $920, while median hourly wages climbed 8.79% to $24.
Other services
Median weekly wage: $961.45 (equivalent to $49,995 per year)
This category covers pretty much any services not covered by the other sectors on this list. It's a mixed bag of repair shops, laundry services, pet care, funeral services, religious organizations, non-profits and more.
According to Statistics Canada, the median weekly wage rose 0.15% year-over-year to $961.45 in July, with median hourly pay increasing 3.80% to $25.95.
Health care & social assistance
Median weekly wage: $1,063.88 (equivalent to $55,322 per year)
Hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, child care and social service agencies all fall into this category. That means while it encompasses famously high-paying jobs like anesthesiologists and radiologists, the field also includes its fair share of far lower-paid roles such as personal support workers, early childhood educators and community outreach staff.
The median weekly wage in July 2025 was up 2.3% from last year's $1,040 — essentially keeping pace with inflation — with median hourly pay increasing 2.45% to $29.71.
Transportation & warehousing
Median weekly wage: $1,212.80 (equivalent to $63,066 per year)
This industry covers everything to do with transporting and storing both goods and people — like air travel, trucking, public transit, rail, shipping, courier services and warehousing.
Statistics Canada reports median weekly wages rose 3.22% year-over-year to $1,212.80, while the median hourly rate increased 2.74% to $30. Despite ongoing tariff turmoil and travel hesitancy, Canada's size and trade ties make transportation and logistics a critical — and often well-paying — field.
Manufacturing
Median weekly wage: $1,220.00 (equivalent to $63,440 per year)
Manufacturing includes plants and factories producing everything from cars to pharmaceuticals.
The federal statistics agency reports that the median weekly wage rose 5.72% year-over-year to $1,220.00, while median hourly pay reached $30.77 — a 6.1% increase from the same time last year. Once again, despite disruptions and uncertainty in the industry amid ever-changing tariff threats, wages for those still employed in this field remain healthy.
Finance, insurance, real estate & leasing
Median weekly wage: $1,396.13 (equivalent to $72,599 per year)
Banks, insurance companies, mortgage brokers, real estate agencies, car rental companies and property management firms are all included here.
According to Statistics Canada, median weekly wages grew 3.71% year-over-year to $1,396.13, while the median hourly wage climbed 2.86% to $37.09.
Construction
Median weekly wage: $1,400.00 (equivalent to $72,800 per year)
The construction sector covers residential, commercial and infrastructure projects, including both general contractors and specialty trades.
The data shows median weekly earnings rose 3.89% over the past year to $1,400, with median hourly pay holding steady at $35. Skilled labour shortages also keep job prospects strong in this field.
Education
Median weekly wage: $1,449.98 (equivalent to $75,399 per year)
Schools, colleges, universities and training centres, both private and public, make up this category. The narrow gap between average and median wages — the lowest of any industry — suggests pay is relatively evenly distributed across the sector.
In July, the median weekly wage jumped by a healthy 3.57% year-over-year to $1,449.98, while the median hourly rate rose 3.31% to $40.90. Weekly incomes also spiked by an impressive 8.56% month-over-month, which might suggest that the jobs available in this sector over the summer, while less abundant, are higher-paying.
Public administration
Median weekly wage: $1,612.00 (equivalent to $83,824 per year)
Public administration covers government departments and agencies at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. It's known for job security and good benefits, though competition can be high.
The new data shows median weekly wages rose 4.77% from last year to $1,612, while median hourly pay increased 4.53% to $42.89.
Professional, scientific & technical services
Median weekly wage: $1,632.00 (equivalent to $84,864 per year)
This sector is wide-ranging, including legal services, accounting, engineering, design, IT, consulting, research and advertising.
According to Statistics Canada, the median weekly wage increased 3.5% year-over-year to $1,632 in July, while median hourly pay reached $42. The data also reveals a relatively large pay gap, reflecting the diversity of the career options in this field.
Natural resources
Median weekly wage: $2,000.00 (equivalent to $104,000 per year)
This resource-heavy category — officially dubbed "forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas" in the dataset — includes natural resource extraction, mining support activities, forestry operations and offshore work.
According to Statistics Canada, the median weekly wage has dipped 0.96% from last year's $2,019.38, while the median hourly rate fell 2.22% to $44. Still, this physically demanding and often remote work offers some of the country's highest compensation.
Utilities
Median weekly wage: $2,038.50 (equivalent to $106,002 per year)
Power generation, natural gas distribution, water treatment and sewage services are all part of this field, which is officially the highest-paying industry in the country.
Median weekly wages in July 2025 were $2,038.50 — up 1.93% from a year earlier — with median hourly pay climbing 4.75% to $52.88.
The gap between average and median wages is also one of the lowest in the country, suggesting pay is relatively consistent across most roles. Even so, the sector includes outliers like Canada's highest-paid CEO, Patrick Dovigi of GFL Environmental Inc., whose $68.5 million compensation (in 2023) illustrates the extreme top end in this field.
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