How much are people making in Canada? How does your income stack up? Let’s go over some numbers on the average and median income for both individuals and households in Canada to understand how income varies across Canada.
The Canada Income Survey (CIS) was released on May 1, 2025 which has the most up to date income data on Canadians. The most recent income data is for the 2023 year.
Average Income
The overall average income in Canada for 2023 was $111,300. This includes economic families and persons not in an economic family. The average income for individuals or those not in an economic family was much lower at $56,100. The highest average income group was economic families or households which had average income of $146,600.
This table shows the average individual income over the past ten years adjusted for inflation shown in 2023 dollars.
| Year | Individual |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $56,100 |
| 2022 | $55,200 |
| 2021 | $55,700 |
| 2020 | $54,500 |
| 2019 | $51,600 |
| 2018 | $51,200 |
| 2017 | $51,700 |
| 2016 | $51,000 |
| 2015 | $50,300 |
| 2014 | $50,800 |
| 2013 | $51,300 |
If you want to know the income percentile to see how your salary compares to individuals across Canada check out this income percentile calculator.
Average Household Income
Let’s take a look at the average household income in Canada which is an important metric as it represents a households financial resources to participate in the economy, with impact on essential necessities like home affordability and overall well-being. The average Canadian household income is $146,600 which is quite a bit higher than the overall average income. Comparing the average household income to prior periods adjusted for inflation shows a rather stagnant average household income from 2020 to 2023 (with previous years inflation adjusted to 2023).
| Year | Average HHI |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $146,600 |
| 2022 | $146,200 |
| 2021 | $146,800 |
| 2020 | $144,600 |
| 2019 | $137,600 |
| 2018 | $137,500 |
| 2017 | $135,900 |
| 2016 | $131,600 |
| 2015 | $133,000 |
| 2014 | $131,400 |
| 2013 | $129,000 |
While the average household income in Canada is $146,600 before taxes or $120,600 after taxes, the average household income varies a lot based on the province in Canada. This table shows the average household income by province in Canada for 2023:
| Geography | Average Total HHI | Average After-Tax HHI |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $146,600 | $120,600 |
| Newfoundland | $125,100 | $102,900 |
| PEI | $119,100 | $98,800 |
| Nova Scotia | $120,800 | $98,900 |
| New Brunswick | $114,600 | $97,100 |
| Quebec | $135,100 | $110,400 |
| Ontario | $154,700 | $126,800 |
| Manitoba | $128,500 | $105,600 |
| Saskatchewan | $133,000 | $111,000 |
| Alberta | $161,900 | $133,600 |
| British Columbia | $151,300 | $125,600 |
Median Income
The median income in Canada which represents the middle value was lower vs. the average income. This is often due to the average income skewed by high income earners. The median total income in Canada was $84,400 in 2023. For individuals the median income was $44,200 and the income for households was $121,000.
Geography plays a major role when looking at income. For example, let’s look at the median income for Toronto, Ontario. The median total income is $94,100, which is higher than Canada’s median as a whole. For households in Toronto, the median total income is $131,900, and for individuals it is $44,900.
This table shows the median income in Canada for individuals over the past ten years.
| Year | Individual |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $44,200 |
| 2022 | $43,500 |
| 2021 | $45,000 |
| 2020 | $43,400 |
| 2019 | $40,600 |
| 2018 | $39,300 |
| 2017 | $39,600 |
| 2016 | $38,400 |
| 2015 | $37,800 |
| 2014 | $40,300 |
| 2013 | $39,800 |
Median Household Income
The median household income in Canada was $121,000 before taxes or $104,800 after taxes. This table shows the median household income over the past ten years in Canada adjusted for inflation to be shown in 2023 dollars.
| Year | Median HHI |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $121,000 |
| 2022 | $120,200 |
| 2021 | $122,300 |
| 2020 | $121,900 |
| 2019 | $114,700 |
| 2018 | $115,100 |
| 2017 | $112,100 |
| 2016 | $109,900 |
| 2015 | $110,400 |
| 2014 | $109,600 |
| 2013 | $106,600 |
The median household income (HHI) varies substantially based on the Canadian province. Alberta has the highest median household income at $137,900 with British Columbia in second at $124,400 and Ontario has the third higest with $125,700.
Let’s take a look at the median household income (HHI) across Canada based on province:
| Geography | Median Total HHI | Median After-Tax HHI |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $121,000 | $104,800 |
| Newfoundland | $103,900 | $90,200 |
| PEI | $106,100 | $90,800 |
| Nova Scotia | $105,600 | $89,800 |
| New Brunswick | $98,400 | $86,700 |
| Quebec | $112,700 | $97,100 |
| Ontario | $125,700 | $108,900 |
| Manitoba | $108,600 | $93,500 |
| Saskatchewan | $114,700 | $100,400 |
| Alberta | $137,900 | $119,100 |
| British Columbia | $124,400 | $109,200 |
How many Canadians make $100,000 or more a year?
What does it take to reach the six-figure mark for employment income and just how common is it in Canada? The most recent Canada Income Survey (CIS) released on May 1, 2025 shows these statistics with the most recent year of 2023 as there is often time between when the data is collected and then reported.
In 2023 15.5% of all persons with employment income earned $100,000 or more in the year. There were a total of 23.22 million people included in the total population. This is an increase slightly over the previous year which had 15.2% making over $100,000 in 2022.
This chart breaks down the percentage of persons with employment income over $100,000 for the past five years in addition to showing the average employment income in each year (expressed in 2023 dollars):
| Year | Percentage | Average Income |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 15.50% | $57,500 |
| 2022 | 15.20% | $57,200 |
| 2021 | 16.00% | $57,200 |
| 2020 | 15.20% | $54,500 |
| 2019 | 14.50% | $54,600 |
Average income by age group
Income in Canada varies significantly based on age, reflecting career stage and experience. Younger Canadians typically earn less as they enter the workforce, while peak earning years tend to fall between ages 45 and 54. This table shows the average and median employment income by age group in Canada based on the most recent data.
| Age Group | Average Employment Income | Median Employment Income |
|---|---|---|
| 16 to 24 | $18,800 | $13,600 |
| 25 to 34 | $52,400 | $46,700 |
| 35 to 44 | $66,200 | $56,000 |
| 45 to 54 | $70,100 | $57,800 |
| 55 to 64 | $62,500 | $49,200 |
| 65 and over | $32,900 | $18,100 |
Peak earnings occur in the 45 to 54 age bracket, after which income tends to decline as some workers transition to part-time employment or early retirement. Use our income percentile calculator to see how your income ranks within your age group and across Canada.
Average income by education level
Education is one of the strongest predictors of income in Canada. Higher levels of education are associated with significantly higher earnings over a lifetime. This table shows the approximate average employment income by highest level of education attained.
| Education Level | Average Employment Income |
|---|---|
| Less than high school | $32,500 |
| High school diploma | $41,200 |
| Trades certificate or diploma | $51,800 |
| College diploma | $50,400 |
| Bachelor’s degree | $68,900 |
| Master’s degree | $82,500 |
| Doctorate or professional degree | $105,600 |
Canadians with a bachelor’s degree earn roughly 67% more than those with only a high school diploma. The gap widens further at the graduate and professional level. However, trades certificates also provide strong earning potential, particularly in industries like construction, oil and gas, and skilled manufacturing.
After-tax vs. before-tax income
When comparing incomes, it is important to understand the difference between before-tax (gross) and after-tax (net) income.
- Before-tax income (gross) — This is your total income before any deductions for federal and provincial income tax, CPP contributions, and EI premiums. Most income statistics report before-tax figures.
- After-tax income (net) — This is what you actually take home after all deductions. For the average Canadian household earning $146,600 before tax, the after-tax income is $120,600 — a difference of approximately $26,000.
Your tax bracket determines how much of your income goes to taxes. The income tax calculator can help you estimate your after-tax income based on your province of residence. You can also use the salary calculator to see a detailed breakdown of deductions from each paycheque.
How income is measured in Canada
Statistics Canada uses several definitions of income, and understanding the differences helps you interpret the data correctly.
- Total income — The sum of all income from all sources before taxes, including employment income, investment income, government transfers (such as OAS, CPP, EI, and child benefits), and other income. The figures in the Canada Income Survey use this definition.
- Employment income — Wages, salaries, commissions, and net self-employment income. This is the most commonly referenced form of income.
- Market income — All income earned in the market before government transfers. This includes employment income, investment income, and private retirement income, but excludes benefits like EI, OAS, and the Canada Child Benefit.
- After-tax income — Total income minus federal and provincial income taxes. This represents spending power.
When comparing your earnings to national data, make sure you are using the same definition of income. The average “total income” will always be higher than “employment income” alone because it includes investment returns and government transfers.
Income trends in Canada
Canadian incomes have shown modest real growth over the past decade when adjusted for inflation. Key trends include:
- Stagnation in real terms (2020–2023) — While nominal wages increased, inflation-adjusted household income remained relatively flat, rising from $144,600 to $146,600 over three years.
- Steady growth pre-pandemic (2013–2019) — Real average household income grew from $129,000 to $137,600 during this period, representing meaningful gains in purchasing power.
- Regional divergence — Alberta continues to lead in household income due to the energy sector, while Atlantic provinces consistently report lower averages.
- Gender pay gap — Women in Canada continue to earn less than men on average, though the gap has been narrowing. According to Statistics Canada, women earned approximately 87 cents for every dollar earned by men when comparing full-time workers.
Rising costs of living, particularly housing and food, have offset some of the nominal income gains in recent years. Understanding how your income compares to the national picture can help you plan effectively — use our income percentile calculator to benchmark yourself.
Related calculators
Use these tools to better understand and plan your income:
- Income Tax Calculator — Estimate your federal and provincial income tax
- Salary Calculator — See your after-tax take-home pay per paycheque
- Income Percentile Calculator — Find out where your income ranks in Canada
- Hourly to Salary Calculator — Convert your hourly wage to an annual salary
- Income to Afford a Home Calculator — See what income you need to afford a home in your area
Grow your income through investing
While increasing your employment income takes time, investing allows your money to work for you and generate additional income through dividends and capital gains. Even small amounts invested consistently can make a meaningful difference over time. Learn how to start investing and get a $25 bonus when you open an account.