Salaries across Canada have seen a meaningful increase in 2025, with Ontario leading the pack by offering the highest average annual pay of over $69,000.
According to Statistics Canada’s employment and earnings report released on 26 June 2025, the national average salary has increased by 4.4% over the past year. Full-time workers now earn an average of $67,466.88 annually before tax.
This national increase is being fuelled by rising hourly wages and longer working hours, particularly in industries such as healthcare, technology, construction, and manufacturing. As Canada’s economy continues to adjust post-pandemic, employers are offering more competitive salaries to attract skilled talent.
Ontario workers are now earning an average annual salary of $69,141.28, which is $1,674 higher than the national average. The province’s economic strength, especially in urban areas like Toronto, Ottawa, and Mississauga, has helped drive this wage growth.
Key Sectors Behind Ontario’s Strong Earnings
Healthcare roles, including nurses and medical technicians, have seen salary increases due to sustained demand. The technology sector, anchored in cities like Toronto and Waterloo, continues to offer high-paying roles in software development, data science, and artificial intelligence.
Ontario’s infrastructure projects and industrial production have contributed to rising wages for skilled tradespeople, further strengthening the province’s salary advantage.
High Cost of Living Offsets Ontario’s Salary Gains
Despite the strong average salary, Ontario’s high cost of living—particularly in the Greater Toronto Area—can reduce the real-world value of earnings. Rising housing costs, transport expenses, and daily essentials mean that a $69,000 salary doesn’t stretch as far in Ontario as it might in other provinces.
While Ontario is outpacing much of the country in earnings, not all provinces are seeing the same level of growth, highlighting ongoing regional disparities in wage performance.
