Average Income by Age in Canada 2026: How Do You Compare?
Updated
How does your income compare to other Canadians your age? Understanding income benchmarks helps you assess your financial standing, negotiate salaries, and plan for the future. This guide breaks down average and median income by age group, gender, and province using the latest Statistics Canada data. Whether you’re in your peak earning years or just starting your career, see where you stand and what’s typical for your situation.
Average Income by Age Group in Canada (2026)
Age Group
Average Income
Median Income
25th Percentile
75th Percentile
16-24
$22,400
$17,500
$8,200
$28,600
25-34
$58,800
$51,200
$35,400
$74,500
35-44
$72,100
$62,400
$42,800
$95,200
45-54
$76,500
$65,800
$44,200
$101,500
55-64
$68,200
$56,900
$36,100
$89,400
65+
$45,600
$32,800
$22,100
$54,200
All ages
$55,200
$42,500
$26,400
$72,800
Data represents total individual income before taxes (employment + investment + government transfers). Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Income Survey 2024, projected to 2026.
Median vs Average: Why It Matters
Measure
Definition
Best Used For
Average (Mean)
Total income ÷ number of people
Overall economic picture
Median
Middle value (50% earn more, 50% less)
“Typical” income comparison
Why median is usually better: A few very high earners pull the average up significantly. For example, if 9 people earn $50,000 and 1 person earns $500,000, the average is $95,000 — but the median is $50,000, which better reflects what most people earn.
Income by Age: Detailed Breakdown
Ages 16-24: Early Career / Part-Time
Income Level
Annual Income
Bottom 10%
$3,200
25th percentile
$8,200
Median (50th)
$17,500
75th percentile
$28,600
Top 10%
$42,500
This range reflects students working part-time through to full-time entry-level workers. Many earn below full-time equivalents due to school attendance.
Ages 25-34: Career Building
Income Level
Annual Income
Bottom 10%
$18,200
25th percentile
$35,400
Median (50th)
$51,200
75th percentile
$74,500
Top 10%
$105,000
Career establishment phase. Large variance based on education, industry, and career progression. Those with professional degrees (doctors, lawyers, engineers) often reach top decile.
Ages 35-44: Mid-Career Growth
Income Level
Annual Income
Bottom 10%
$22,500
25th percentile
$42,800
Median (50th)
$62,400
75th percentile
$95,200
Top 10%
$138,500
Management and senior individual contributor roles. Many are at or approaching peak earning capacity. Dual-income households often see combined peaks here.
Ages 45-54: Peak Earning Years
Income Level
Annual Income
Bottom 10%
$21,800
25th percentile
$44,200
Median (50th)
$65,800
75th percentile
$101,500
Top 10%
$152,000
Highest average earnings across age groups. Senior management, business ownership, and executive roles. Investment income begins contributing more significantly.
Ages 55-64: Pre-Retirement Transition
Income Level
Annual Income
Bottom 10%
$16,800
25th percentile
$36,100
Median (50th)
$56,900
75th percentile
$89,400
Top 10%
$139,500
Some early retirement, reduced hours, or career wind-down. CPP can begin at 60. Higher variance as some maintain peak earnings while others reduce work.
Ages 65+: Retirement
Income Level
Annual Income
Bottom 10%
$18,500
25th percentile
$22,100
Median (50th)
$32,800
75th percentile
$54,200
Top 10%
$92,500
Income primarily from CPP, OAS, pensions, RRSP/RRIF withdrawals, and investment income. Tighter lower range due to GIS support floor. Wide upper range for those with significant retirement savings.
Income by Gender
All Ages Combined
Gender
Average Income
Median Income
Gender Gap
Men
$64,200
$52,100
—
Women
$47,500
$38,400
83¢ per $1
All
$55,200
$42,500
—
Gender Pay Gap by Age
Age Group
Women’s Earnings per $1 (Men)
Gap
16-24
$0.91
9%
25-34
$0.87
13%
35-44
$0.82
18%
45-54
$0.78
22%
55-64
$0.79
21%
65+
$0.85
15%
The gap widens during child-rearing years (35-54) and narrows in retirement when CPP/OAS provide more equal income.
Income by Province/Territory
Employment Income (Working Population)
Province/Territory
Average Employment Income
Median Employment Income
Nunavut
$78,500
$62,400
Northwest Territories
$76,200
$64,800
Yukon
$68,400
$58,200
Alberta
$68,200
$58,500
Ontario
$62,800
$52,400
British Columbia
$58,600
$48,800
Saskatchewan
$56,800
$49,200
Manitoba
$52,400
$45,600
Quebec
$51,800
$44,200
Newfoundland & Labrador
$51,200
$43,800
Nova Scotia
$48,200
$42,100
New Brunswick
$47,500
$41,600
Prince Edward Island
$46,800
$40,200
Canada
$58,400
$49,200
Employment income only (excludes investments, government transfers). Full-time workers with employment income.
Total Income (All Sources)
Province
Average Total Income
Median Total Income
Alberta
$62,400
$51,200
Ontario
$58,100
$46,800
British Columbia
$54,800
$43,600
Saskatchewan
$53,200
$44,800
Manitoba
$49,600
$41,200
Quebec
$47,800
$40,400
Nova Scotia
$46,500
$39,200
New Brunswick
$45,200
$38,400
Newfoundland
$47,100
$38,800
PEI
$44,600
$38,100
Canada
$55,200
$42,500
Income by Education Level
Education Level
Average Income
Median Income
vs. High School
No high school diploma
$32,400
$26,800
-28%
High school diploma
$45,200
$38,600
Baseline
College diploma/certificate
$52,800
$46,200
+20%
Bachelor’s degree
$72,500
$62,400
+62%
Master’s degree
$88,400
$78,200
+103%
Doctorate (PhD)
$98,500
$88,600
+130%
Medicine/Law/Dentistry
$142,500
$125,000
+224%
The “education premium” is substantial and compounds over a career.
Income by Industry
Highest-Paying Industries (Average)
Industry
Average Income
Mining, quarrying, oil/gas
$112,500
Utilities
$92,400
Finance and insurance
$88,200
Professional/scientific/technical
$82,400
Management of companies
$78,600
Public administration
$76,800
Information and technology
$75,200
Construction
$68,400
Lower-Paying Industries (Average)
Industry
Average Income
Accommodation and food
$26,800
Retail trade
$36,200
Agriculture
$38,500
Arts and entertainment
$39,200
Other services
$42,100
Administrative/support
$44,600
How to Interpret These Numbers
Where Do You Stand?
Your Percentile
What It Means
Below 25th percentile
Lower income for your age
25th-50th percentile
Below median but not unusual
50th percentile (median)
Exactly typical — half earn more, half less
50th-75th percentile
Above median, doing well
75th-90th percentile
High earner for your age
Above 90th percentile
Top 10% for your age
Factors That Affect Your Position
Factor
Impact on Income
Location
Toronto/Vancouver +15-20% vs. national
Industry
Oil/gas, finance, tech pay highest
Education
Each degree level adds 20-40%
Experience
Generally peaks at 45-54
Gender
Persistent 17% gap on average
Immigration status
Recent immigrants earn less initially
Total vs Employment Income
Income Type
What’s Included
Employment income
Wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions
Total income
Employment + investments + CPP/OAS + EI + other government benefits
Most working-age Canadians derive 90%+ of income from employment. Retirees may have 0% employment income but significant total income from pensions and investments.
Household Income vs Individual Income
Comparison
Individual Median
Household Median
Canada 2026
$42,500
$87,400
Household income combines all earners in a dwelling. With 1.9 earners per household on average, household income is roughly double individual income.
Economic Family Income by Type
Family Type
Median Total Income
Couple, no children
$102,400
Couple with children
$118,600
Lone-parent, female
$52,800
Lone-parent, male
$68,200
Single person under 65
$38,400
Single person 65+
$29,200
Income Trajectory Over Career
Career Stage
Typical Pattern
20s
Entry level, rapid % growth (but low base)
30s
Steep growth, promotions, specialization
Early 40s
Continued growth, senior roles
Late 40s-early 50s
Peak earnings
Late 50s
Plateau or slight decline
60s
Transition to retirement income
Typical Income Growth Rates
Age Range
Annual Growth Rate
25-30
5-8% per year
30-40
3-6% per year
40-50
2-4% per year
50-60
0-2% per year
Comparing Yourself Effectively
Apples-to-Apples Comparison
Compare With
Not Just
Why
Same age group
Overall average
Peak earners skew numbers
Same province
National data
Cost of living varies
Same industry
All industries
Pay varies dramatically
Same education
All education levels
Credentials affect income
Same gender
All genders
Gap remains significant
A Healthy Perspective
Consideration
Point
Income isn’t everything
Fulfillment, work-life balance matter
Cost of living
$60K in Halifax stretches further than in Vancouver
Career stage
Entry level isn’t peak earning
Life choices
Part-time work, caregiving reduce income intentionally
Income vs Net Worth
Your net worth matters more for long-term financial health than income alone.
Measure
What It Shows
Income
Cash flow, current earning power
Net worth
Accumulated wealth over time
Savings rate
% of income converted to net worth
A moderate income with high savings rate beats a high income with high spending.