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Average Salaries in Ontario
With over 14 million residents, Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and a significant engine of the country’s economy. Understanding salary levels provides valuable insights for both job seekers and employers in Ontario’s diverse job market.
This in-depth guide examines average salaries in Ontario from multiple angles, incorporating the latest available data on differences in pay by occupation, region, sector, experience, education, and other factors.
Whether you are exploring new career options or making hiring decisions, read on for a detailed analysis of income-earning potential across Ontario.
Overall Average Salaries in Ontario
According to Statistics Canada’s 2022 Labour Force Survey, the average annual salary for all occupations in Ontario is $54,834. Breaking this down:
- Average Monthly Salary: $4,569
- Average Weekly Salary: $1,054
- Average Hourly Wage: $26.36
Source: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/–in-Ontario
This places Ontario near the national average salary of around $56,000 annually. Among provinces, Ontario ranks behind oil-rich Alberta and Saskatchewan in wages but well above Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
However, as we will explore, these Ontario-wide figures only tell part of the story, as salaries vary significantly based on region, occupation, experience and other factors.
Average Salaries in Canada vary widely between provinces and territories due to factors like cost of living, labor supply, and economic strength. To help you understand pay scales across Canada, we’ve compiled this series on average salaries by region:
Highest Paying Cities and Regions in Ontario
While the overall provincial average salary is just over $54,000, pay levels can differ substantially between cities and regions across Ontario.
Of the cities and towns with the highest average salaries, many are clustered in Southwestern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area where the job market is strong:
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities in Ontario
| City | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Wage |
| Fort Albany | $84,043 | $40.41 |
| Waterloo | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Ottawa | $64,995 | $31.25 |
| South Huron | $64,812 | $31.16 |
| Markham | $63,665 | $30.61 |
| Wendover | $59,561 | $28.64 |
| Toronto | $57,549 | $27.67 |
| Mississauga | $56,822 | $27.32 |
| North Perth | $55,662 | $26.76 |
| Kincardine | $52,957 | $25.46 |
As the table shows, Fort Albany’s average salary is over $84,000 annually, likely reflecting remote northern incentive pay. Waterloo and Ottawa take second and third place, benefiting from concentrations of high-tech and government jobs.
The Toronto region unsurprisingly accounts for many of the highest-paying cities, including Markham, Toronto, and Mississauga in the GTA, along with cities like Kincardine and South Huron situated within commuting distance.
Higher salaries in cities like these can usually be attributed to a mixture of higher costs of living and an abundance of high-paying professional occupations. Location matters for pay in Ontario.
Highest Paying Occupations and Fields in Ontario
Beyond location, the occupation or industry type is one of Ontario’s strongest determinants of salary levels.
Some of the province’s highest-paying professions and specializations are:
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Ontario
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary |
| Maternal Fetal Medicine Physician | $365,329 |
| Cardiac Anesthesiologist | $358,039 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $355,949 |
| Vascular Surgeon | $354,198 |
| Interventional Pain Physician | $343,099 |
| Radiologist | $339,413 |
| Interventional Cardiologist | $335,988 |
| Hematologist Oncologist | $333,013 |
| Pathologist | $330,570 |
| Endodontist | $329,942 |
Medical specializations dominate the highest-paying roles, with average salaries ranging from over $330,000 to $365,000 annually for maternal-fetal medicine physicians. The premium pay for doctors and specialists reflects the high costs of medical training combined with strong occupational demand.
Outside of healthcare, other extremely well-compensated professions in Ontario’s job market include:
- Lawyers: $210,670 avg. salary
- Judges: $383,700 avg. salary
- Engineering Managers: $87,180 avg. salary
- Natural Sciences Managers: $111,360 avg. salary
- Specialized Software Developers: $81,730 avg. salary
In almost all cases, the highest-paying Ontario occupations require extensive education, training, skills, and experience. Specialized technical expertise and professional designations elevate pay substantially above the average salary.
At the other end of the spectrum, Ontario’s minimum wage sets the lower boundary for compensation. As of October 2022, the general minimum wage in Ontario is $15.50 per hour, one of the highest rates among all Canadian provinces.
Most In-Demand Occupations in Ontario
In addition to the top-paying roles covered above, it’s also helpful to understand salaries for Ontario’s most in-demand occupations.
Even if they offer lower pay relative to fields like medicine and law, these jobs are actively hiring and provide strong employment opportunities across the province.
Some of the most popular occupations with associated average salaries are:
Average Salaries for High Demand Ontario Jobs
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary |
| Personal Support Worker | $58,230 |
| Uber Driver | $37,259 |
| Registered Nurse | $81,970 |
| Truck Driver | $63,056 |
| Teacher | $59,292 |
| Amazon Product Tester | $50,799 |
| Licensed Electrician | $60,200 |
| Doctor | $178,408 |
| Elderly Caregiver | $25,590 |
Healthcare roles like personal support workers, nurses, and doctors are in high demand across Ontario with the province’s rapidly aging population. Construction-related jobs like electricians and truck drivers likewise show strong hiring activity.
Interestingly, side-gig-type roles like Uber driving, online product testing, and elderly caregiving can earn over $25,000+ on average, supplementing traditional full-time incomes.
While not matching the peak salaries of specialized occupations, these in-demand jobs offer abundant openings and career growth and can serve as entry points into the job market.
Average Salaries in Ontario by Experience Level
Beyond specific occupations, experience level strongly influences average salaries in Ontario. The table below highlights how pay grows with seniority across various professions:
Average Salaries by Years of Experience in Select Ontario Occupations
| Occupation | Entry Level | Mid-Career | Late-Career |
| Accountant | $45,000 | $65,000 | $90,000 |
| Software Developer | $60,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
| Marketing Manager | $55,000 | $85,000 | $110,000 |
| Electrical Engineer | $70,000 | $90,000 | $115,000 |
| Secondary School Teacher | $50,000 | $70,000 | $95,000 |
Pursuing promotions and greater responsibility clearly pays off financially across both technical and professional roles.
Average Salaries in Ontario by Industry Sector
Ontario’s diverse economy spans key sectors from services to manufacturing, resources, technology, finance, construction and more. Average pay can vary significantly across industries.
Based on federal data, highest paying sectors include:
- Utilities: $115,000 average salary
- Professional Services: $100,000
- Finance and Insurance: $90,000
- Mining and Oil/Gas: $85,000
Lower-paying sectors include:
- Agriculture: $40,000
- Retail Trade: $42,000
- Accommodation/Food: $45,000
- Educational Services: $55,000
High demand for specialized skills and union presence lift pay in capital-intensive sectors like utilities, mining and professional services. Publicly funded areas like education tend to lag.
Average Salaries in Ontario by Education Level
Educational attainment is another key salary factor, with pay generally rising along with degrees, designations and certifications:
Average Salaries by Education Level in Ontario
| Education Level | Average Annual Salary |
| High School Diploma | $36,500 |
| Registered Apprenticeship Certificate | $45,000 |
| College Diploma | $50,000 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $65,000 |
| Master’s Degree | $80,000 |
| Doctoral Degree | $95,000+ |
| Professional Designation | $80,000+ |
While trade certifications offer strong salaries, university education opens additional high-paying opportunities in law, medicine, engineering, management and technology. Professional designations also provide major pay premiums.
Average Salaries in Ontario by Company Size
Beyond individual factors like location and education, the company’s size can impact average compensation. According to PayScale data, salaries tend to rise with company size, especially at large corporations:
Average Salaries by Company Size in Ontario
| Company Size | Average Salary |
| Small Business (<50 employees) | $48,000 |
| Medium Business (50-500) | $55,000 |
| Large Corporation (500+) | $65,000 |
| Major Corporation (5,000+) | $80,000 |
Large companies have more significant resources to offer higher compensation and benefits packages to attract top talent in competitive fields like technology, finance and management.
Key Factors Influencing Average Salaries in Ontario
When researching and comparing salaries for different occupations in Ontario, keep in mind that multiple intersecting factors influence pay:
Experience Level
As a general rule, more experience translates to higher pay in Ontario. While an accounting associate may start at $45,000, an experienced controller can earn up to $90,000 with 5+ years under their belt. The impact of experience varies by field.
Location
As discussed earlier, salaries in Ontario can swing by tens of thousands based on the city or region. Large urban centers and remote northern communities generally pay the most.
Occupation and Specialization
Field of work and specialization are the primary drivers of pay differences in Ontario. Examine options tailored to your interests and strengths both within and across occupations.
Education and Credentials
Advanced degrees, designations, certifications, and specialized training open doors to higher-paying occupations and leadership roles.
Company Size and Industry
Bigger firms and corporations typically offer above-average compensation, especially in sectors like finance and tech. Public sector jobs also boast strong benefits.
Labor Supply and Demand
When demand exceeds supply for certain skill sets, pay scales upward. Currently, shortages of nurses and trades workers are benefiting salaries.
Consider all these dynamics when researching salaries and setting expectations in Ontario.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways on Average Salaries in Ontario
The Ontario job market’s average pay levels can swing significantly depending on occupational specialization, geography, experience, education, company size and industry dynamics. Key trends include:
- The overall average salary across the province is approximately $55,000 annually.
- Major urban centers, especially in Southwestern Ontario and the GTA, offer the highest average wages.
- The highest-paying occupations are concentrated in the fields of medicine, law, management, and technology.
- Experience, credentials, specialization, and seniority lead to higher pay for specific roles.
- Sectors like utilities and finance tend to compensate above overall averages.
- University education and professional designations lift earning potential substantially.
- Larger companies have greater resources to offer higher salaries for top talent.
With data-driven insights into critical factors, employees and employers can make informed decisions on careers, hiring and compensation in Ontario.
FAQs related to average salaries in Ontario
How much is the average salary in Ontario?
The average salary across all occupations in Ontario is approximately $54,834 per year as of 2022, according to Statistics Canada. This equates to around $26.36 per hour.
What are the highest paying jobs in Ontario?
The highest paying occupations in Ontario are generally concentrated in medicine (e.g. physicians, surgeons), management (e.g. engineering managers, HR managers), law (e.g. lawyers, judges), and technology (e.g. software engineers, data scientists). Salaries for top roles can exceed $300,000.
Where are the highest paying cities and regions in Ontario?
Major urban centers like Toronto, Ottawa, Waterloo, Mississauga, and Markham tend to have the highest average salaries in Ontario. Northern resource-based communities tend to have lower wages.
Why do salaries vary so much in Ontario?
Key factors like occupation, experience level, education, company size, industry, and geographic location all influence salary variations in Ontario. Specialized roles in large metro firms pay the most.
When do salaries typically peak in Ontario?
Salaries in Ontario generally peak in the later stages of one's career, once significant experience (10+ years) has been gained in fields like medicine, law, engineering, management, etc. However, salaries plateau earlier in public sector jobs.
How does cost of living impact salaries in Ontario?
Major cities like Toronto and Ottawa have higher costs of living compared to smaller towns in Northern Ontario. Salaries tend to be higher in more expensive cities to compensate.
Do government jobs pay well in Ontario?
Yes, government workers like federal employees, nurses, teachers, police officers, and municipal workers typically earn strong middle-class salaries with good benefits in Ontario.
Which jobs are in high demand in Ontario?
Top in-demand jobs include nurses, tradespeople, technology professionals, personal support workers, truck drivers, engineers, business services, and healthcare support roles.
What entry-level jobs pay well in Ontario?
Top entry-level roles by salary include software developer, registered nurse, accountant, actuary, electrical engineer, computer engineer, and various financial analysts right out of school.
How can you maximize your salary in Ontario?
Ways to increase your earning potential include pursuing higher education, in-demand specialized skills, proven experience, professional designations, and opportunities with larger employers