Income statistics are a useful way to measure economic trends in a country. They allow you to compare your income to that of other people in your area and across Canada. But more importantly, policymakers use income data to determine where they need to distribute economic air or identify areas where legislation needs improving. Income data can also be useful for investors, entrepreneurs, and business owners.
In this article, we have collated information on income in Canada, including statistics such as median household income, average salaries, and hourly wages.
Income Statistics for Canadians
- Quebec has the highest median household income among the provinces. However, statistics show that Nunavut has the highest median individual income in the country.
- Average salaries are highest in the three territories.
- Over 15% of elderly Canadians live in poverty.
- Nunavut has the highest hourly minimum wage at $19.75.
- Women in Canada earn about 11% less than men.
- Workers from First Nations earn less than non-indigenous workers.
- The national average salary in 2025 is approximately $67,467 CAD.
- Federal tax rates in 2026 start at 14% on the first $58,523 of taxable income.
Median Household Income
The median after‑tax income in Canada has generally grown over recent years, although it has fluctuated slightly due to economic conditions. According to the 2023 Canadian Income Survey, the median after‑tax income of families and unattached individuals in Canada was 74,200 CAD, up from 73,300 CAD in 2022.
Median After‑Tax Income by Province and Territory (2020 vs. 2023)
| Province / Territory | Median After‑Tax Income (2020) | Median After‑Tax Income (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $68,000 | $65,700 |
| Prince Edward Island | $68,200 | $64,500 |
| Nova Scotia | $65,900 | $62,900 |
| New Brunswick | $65,200 | $62,700 |
| Quebec | $68,500 | $66,800 |
| Ontario | $80,400 | $78,600 |
| Manitoba | $72,300 | $70,100 |
| Saskatchewan | $77,600 | $72,800 |
| Alberta | $89,100 | $88,500 |
| British Columbia | $77,300 | $73,900 |
| Yukon | $94,400 | $84,500 |
| Northwest Territories | $109,500 | $102,100 |
| Nunavut | $105,800 | $90,800 |
As shown in the table, Alberta and the Northwest Territories had the highest median after‑tax incomes in 2023, while Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were among the lowest. Median after‑tax incomes can differ significantly across regions due to local economic conditions, cost of living, and demographic factors.
Note that because the 2024 and 2025 median after‑tax income data from Statistics Canada has not yet been released, this table uses the most recent official figures (2023), which remain the best available snapshot of regional income differences.
Individual Median Incomes in Canada
As well as looking at the household income in Canadian provinces and territories, we can also compare the median after-tax incomes for individuals across Canada.
| Province/ Territory | Median Annual Income in 2023 |
| Northwest Territories | $77,900 |
| Yukon | $62,500 |
| Alberta | $74,237 |
| Saskatchewan | $88,424 |
| British Columbia | $66,232 |
| Ontario | $63,369 |
| Quebec | $57,506 |
| Nunavut | $74,900 |
| Manitoba | $58,500 |
| Prince Edward Island | $46,160 |
| Nova Scotia | $56,550 |
| New Brunswick | $57,336 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $52,562 |
There are far larger differences between the individual incomes than the household incomes across the Canadian provinces and territories with over a $40,000 difference between the highest and the lowest average. However, higher individual incomes do not necessarily mean the individuals are better off as the province/ territory may have higher living costs which balances things out.
Regional Variations
The incomes within provinces and territories can vary greatly, too. For example, if we look at the Northwest Territories, the median household income in Yellowknife is $141,700, while it is only $75,584 in Dehcho. In general, people in bigger cities have higher median incomes than those living in smaller towns or rural areas.
Salaries in Canada
In the tables above, we have shared the data on median income after tax. The table below focuses on the median salaries across Canada, and it shows the average earnings before any tax or other expenses are deducted.
| Province / Territory | 2024 Average Annual Salary | 2025 Average Annual Salary | Change (Approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nunavut | $91,091 | $91,493 | Up less than 1% |
| Northwest Territories | $88,467 | $90,660 | Up ~2.5% |
| Yukon | $75,404 | $78,570 | Up ~4.2% |
| Alberta | $70,393 | $71,221 | Up ~1.2% |
| Ontario | $68,449 | $70,411 | Up ~2.9% |
| British Columbia | $66,915 | $68,119 | Up ~1.8% |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $64,717 | $66,998 | Up ~3.6% |
| Saskatchewan | $63,944 | $66,267 | Up ~3.7% |
| Quebec | $63,864 | $66,263 | Up ~3.7% |
| New Brunswick | $61,477 | $62,691 | Up ~2.0% |
| Manitoba | $60,018 | $61,773 | Up ~2.9% |
| Nova Scotia | $59,744 | $61,660 | Up ~3.2% |
| Prince Edward Island | $57,064 | $59,594 | Up ~4.4% |
Changes in Average Salaries
In 2020, the average annual salary for full‑time employment in Canada was $54,630. In 2021, it was $56,935, an increase of just over 4% compared with 2020. In the first quarter of 2022, the average salary in Canada was slightly lower at $56,416, a decrease of just under 1% compared with 2021.
If translated into weekly earnings, Canadians earned $1,050.59 in 2020, $1,084.90 in 2021, and $1,084.92 in the first quarter of 2022.
By September 2024, average weekly earnings had climbed to around $1,280 per week, equivalent to roughly $66,575 annually for full‑time workers. By 2025, average weekly earnings had risen further to about $1,297.44, which equates to approximately $67,467 annually before taxes. Despite this increase in nominal earnings, in real terms many Canadians have not seen a corresponding improvement in purchasing power due to high inflation in recent years.
Income in Canada by Age
How does the average income change throughout a person’s working life in Canada? As expected, people just entering the workforce have the lowest yearly incomes. Interestingly, as people get older, the increases in salaries slow down. Here is what the averages look like for the different age groups in Canada.
16-24
The average salary for people aged 16-24 is $1,400 per month or $17,300 per year. This age group includes people just entering the workforce. People in this group will often work part-time while they are in school. However, some will be full-time workers.
25-34
This group includes people who have completed their education and already have work experience. They are becoming more established in their careers, especially the older people in this group. The average monthly salary is $3,908, and yearly $46,900.
35-44
Many adults in this age group are well-established in their careers, and many are moving into more specialised or senior roles. The average monthly salary in this age group is $5,308 and yearly is $63,700.
45-54
Many people in the 45-54 age group have progressed into managerial or leadership positions. Even those who have not will have seen their wages rise with their experience, especially if they have stayed with the same organisation. Interestingly, the difference to the previous age group is minimal, with a $5,558 monthly and $66,700 yearly salary. This suggests that people make bigger leaps earlier in their careers.
55 to Retirement
The average salary drops in this age group, and this may be because many will work fewer hours as they get closer to their retirement. People retiring early will also impact the averages in this age group, where the monthly average is $4,550 and yearly $54,600.
Yearly Income For Canadians Aged 65 or Over
The average monthly income for Canadians over 65 years of age is $1,883, which is $22,600 per year. This figure is so low because around 2 million seniors in Canada are living on the Guaranteed Income Supplement from the government. According to Canada Without Poverty, 15% of elderly individuals are living in poverty in Canada.
Minimum Hourly Wages in Canada
The minimum hourly wage differs between provinces and territories. As of the latest 2025 rates, the highest minimum wage in Canada is in Nunavut at $19.75 per hour. The next highest rates are in Yukon at $17.94 per hour and British Columbia at $17.85 per hour. Other relatively high minimum wages include Ontario at $17.60 per hour and Quebec at $16.10 per hour, with the lowest rates found in Alberta at $15.00 per hour.
Most provinces and territories across Canada have raised their minimum wage in recent years to help support workers as living costs rise.
Women Earn Less Than Men in Canada
Despite improvements in equal pay, women in Canada still earn 11% less than men. Women earn 89 cents for each dollar their male counterparts earn in the same job. The wage gap has decreased significantly since the 1990s, but there is still a lot more room for improvement.
Workers From First Nations Earn Less
Statistics show that non-indigenous workers are paid 34% more than Indigenous workers in urban settings. They earn 66 cents for every dollar a non-indigenous worker earns in the same job. This figure demonstrates that there is still a long way to go toward job equality between non-indigenous and First Nation workers.
Taxes in Canada
How much Canadians pay in taxes depends on their income level and where they live. Anyone earning a salary in Canada will pay both federal and provincial taxes. To determine how much you need to pay, you should first calculate the federal taxes, then the provincial taxes, and finally, add them together.
According to the Fraser Institute’s Canadian Consumer Tax Index, in 2024 the average Canadian family earned $114,289 in total income and paid $48,306 in total taxes, meaning they spent 42.3% of their income on taxes.
Federal Taxes
There are different tax brackets for people with different incomes. Most people will pay the lowest taxes on lower incomes, while taxes rise on higher incomes. For 2026, the federal tax rates on taxable income in Canada are:
- 14% on the first $58,523 of taxable income
- 20.5% on income over $58,523 up to $117,045
- 26% on income over $117,045 up to $181,440
- 29% on income over $181,440 up to $258,482
- 33% on income over $258,482
Provincial Tax Rates
There are big differences in provincial taxes across Canada, but they all follow the same principle as exemplified above. For 2026, Nunavut has the lowest tax rates for the lowest-income earners at 4%, while Quebec has the highest rate for the top-income earners at 25.75%.
Conclusion
There is a lot of variation in average incomes and salaries across Canada. While the three territories top the table for average salaries in Canada, not all of them are on top when comparing average household or individual incomes after tax.
The average salary in Canada increased from 2020 to 2021, with a slight dip in the first quarter of 2022. However, by 2024 and 2025, average salaries have risen again, and when the full-year data for 2025 is published, the overall picture of salary growth will be clearer.
While there have been improvements in pay equality in Canada, there is still work to do as women earn less than men and Indigenous workers earn less than their non-Indigenous counterparts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the highest wages in Canada?
The territories have the highest average salaries in Canada. However, while it is important to know what your salary would be in each area, it is more important to look at income after taxes as they vary between provinces and territories.
What is the minimum wage in Canada?
Minimum wages are different in each territory and province. Currently Nunavut has the highest and Alberta the lowest rate.
What was the average salary in Canada in 2025?
In 2025, the average annual salary for full‑time employees in Canada was approximately $67,467 CAD before taxes.