Canada’s 2025 Average Salaries: Are Canadians Keeping Up With Rising Costs?
Rising Salaries vs Rising Living Costs
In 2025, Canadian workers are earning more on paper, but the gains are quickly eaten away by soaring living costs.
- Average weekly earnings (June 2025): $1,302
→ Equivalent to an annual salary of $67,704 for full-time employees. - Year-over-year growth: 3.7% (up from 3.3% in May).
- Month-over-month growth: 0.7%.
While salaries are climbing, the cost of housing, food, and daily essentials continues to rise at equal or higher rates. This means the true purchasing power of Canadians remains under pressure.
Canada’s Salary Landscape by Region
Salaries vary widely across provinces and territories, reflecting differences in industries, population size, and cost of living.
Territories: Highest Salaries, But Extreme Costs
- Nunavut: $1,762.13/week ($91,631 annually), up 6.2%.
- Northwest Territories: $1,737.69/week ($90,360 annually), up 0.3%.
- Yukon: $1,499.51/week ($77,975 annually), up 3.7%.
→ Remote living drives high wages, but also the highest grocery and housing costs in Canada.
Western Canada: Resource Powerhouses and Urban Hubs
- Alberta: $1,369.72/week ($71,225 annually), up 2.8%.
- British Columbia: $1,304.22/week ($67,819 annually), up 2.6%.
- Saskatchewan: $1,264.31/week ($65,744 annually), up 3.7%.
- Manitoba: $1,170.07/week ($60,844 annually), up 2.3%.
→ Alberta leads, but BC’s high rents (>$2,500 for 1-bedroom in Vancouver) erase salary advantages.
Central Canada: Economic Engines
- Ontario: $1,334.55/week ($69,397 annually), up 3.5%.
- Quebec: $1,258.30/week ($65,432 annually), up 5.1%.
→ Ontario remains Canada’s economic hub, but Toronto housing costs ($1.1M avg. home price) strain workers.
→ Quebec shows strong wage growth with relatively lower housing costs, especially in Montreal.
Atlantic Canada: Lower Salaries, But More Affordable Living
- Newfoundland & Labrador: $1,270.69/week ($66,076 annually), up 2.9%.
- New Brunswick: $1,194.63/week ($62,121 annually), up 5.4%.
- Nova Scotia: $1,147.28/week ($59,659 annually), up 2.8%.
- Prince Edward Island: $1,144.78/week ($59,529 annually), up 7.9% (highest increase).
→ PEI ranks lowest in absolute wages, but offers affordability and strong wage growth.
Salary Comparisons 2025
| Region/Province | Weekly Avg. Earnings | Annual Avg. Salary | Growth Rate | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nunavut | $1,762.13 | $91,631 | +6.2% | Highest wages, highest costs |
| Northwest Territories | $1,737.69 | $90,360 | +0.3% | Resource-driven |
| Yukon | $1,499.51 | $77,975 | +3.7% | Mining & tourism |
| Alberta | $1,369.72 | $71,225 | +2.8% | Strong oil & gas |
| Ontario | $1,334.55 | $69,397 | +3.5% | Highest population, high costs |
| British Columbia | $1,304.22 | $67,819 | +2.6% | Tech & real estate, pricey housing |
| Quebec | $1,258.30 | $65,432 | +5.1% | Strong growth, moderate costs |
| Saskatchewan | $1,264.31 | $65,744 | +3.7% | Agriculture & mining |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $1,270.69 | $66,076 | +2.9% | Balanced wages & costs |
| Manitoba | $1,170.07 | $60,844 | +2.3% | Affordable housing |
| New Brunswick | $1,194.63 | $62,121 | +5.4% | Strong growth, low costs |
| Nova Scotia | $1,147.28 | $59,659 | +2.8% | Modest wages, affordable living |
| Prince Edward Island | $1,144.78 | $59,529 | +7.9% | Lowest salaries, fastest growth |
Cost of Living Factor
- Canada’s cost of living index (2025): 58.7 (41% cheaper than New York).
- Toronto & Vancouver: $3,000–$3,500/month for a single person, $5,800–$7,500 for families.
- New Brunswick & Newfoundland: $2,000–$2,800/month for a single person.
- Housing remains the single largest expense, especially in Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa.
Key Takeaways
- National average salary (2025): $67,704.
- Strongest salaries in territories and Alberta, but cost of living offsets benefits.
- Atlantic provinces offer lower wages but greater affordability.
- Inflation and housing are the biggest threats to real income growth.
- Where you live matters as much as how much you earn.
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