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Average Salaries in Quebec
With over 8 million residents, Quebec is the second-largest province in Canada by population. Its diversified economy spans sectors like finance, manufacturing, natural resources, sciences, and tourism. Quebec’s two major metropolitan areas are Montreal and Quebec City, although other mid-sized cities also play important economic roles.
Understanding the province’s job market, compensation levels, and factors influencing earning potential can help inform career planning and financial decisions for current and prospective Quebec residents. This extensive guide provides key details and insights on average salaries in Quebec.
Overview of Average Salaries in Quebec
According to the latest labour market data, the average salary across all occupations in Quebec is $49,473 per year. This ranks the province 50th among Canadian provinces and territories for overall average wages.
To put this in context, most annual salaries in Quebec fall between the 25th percentile of $41,500 and the 75th percentile of $55,500 based on current pay distributions. However, focusing solely on the average provincial wage does not illustrate the significant variations across different industries, locations, experience levels and other factors.
The table below summarizes key statistics for average salaries in Quebec currently:
| Salary Metric | Amount |
| Average Annual Salary | $49,473 |
| Average Hourly Wage | $23.79 |
| Average Weekly Pay | $951 |
| Average Monthly Pay | $4,122 |
Quebec has a diversified economy, with major industries including finance and insurance, manufacturing, healthcare, retail trade, professional services, construction, and natural resources. Urban regions generally offer higher salaries than rural areas.
Source: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/–in-Quebec
Average Salaries in Quebec by City and Region
Location is one of the most influential factors impacting earning potential within Quebec. There can be major differences in average wages across different cities and regions.
The following table outlines the top 10 cities in Quebec with the highest current average salaries:
| Rank | City | Average Annual Salary |
| 1 | Baie-Sainte-Catherine | $85,892 |
| 2 | Le Plateau | $76,379 |
| 3 | Kazabazua | $73,875 |
| 4 | Mingan | $72,823 |
| 5 | Fort-Coulonge | $67,737 |
| 6 | La Minerve | $64,656 |
| 7 | Brownsburg-Chatham | $63,189 |
| 8 | Pointe-Calumet | $61,595 |
| 9 | Louiseville | $60,574 |
| 10 | La Tuque | $59,875 |
Some cities with the highest average wages, like Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Mingan, are outside major urban centers like Montreal or Quebec City. Proximity to certain large industrial employers or resource development projects can positively influence salaries in more remote areas.
Occupations and Jobs Have The Highest Average Salaries in Quebec
While the average salary across Quebec is around $49,500, some specific occupations and industries compensate much more highly for certain sought-after skills and experience.
Medical specializations make up the majority of the highest-paying jobs, as shown in the table below outlining current average salaries for Quebec’s top occupations:
| Rank | Occupation | Average Salary |
| 1 | Orthopedic Surgeon | $413,165 |
| 2 | Interventional Cardiologist | $362,394 |
| 3 | Cardiologist | $350,344 |
| 4 | Urologist | $348,269 |
| 5 | General Surgeon | $341,138 |
| 6 | Anesthesiologist | $340,841 |
| 7 | Emergency Medicine Physician | $339,443 |
| 8 | Plastic Surgeon | $335,030 |
| 9 | Vascular Surgeon | $332,170 |
| 10 | Radiation Oncologist | $328,982 |
These specialized medical professionals earn well above Quebec’s overall average salary, demonstrating the strong earning power associated with jobs in healthcare and medicine. The advanced expertise and experience required by these occupations lead to high compensation.
Outside of medical careers, other management, professional services, engineering and IT roles also figure amongst Quebec’s highest-paying jobs, including:
- Lawyers – $132,801 average salary
- Software engineers – $95,385
- Financial managers – $82,418
- Mining engineers – $76,924
- Engineering managers – $74,042
Read more: Group Health Insurance for Software Developers in Canada
Average Salaries in Quebec for In-demand Jobs
Beyond the highest-paying occupations, it is also useful to examine salaries for some of the most popular and in-demand jobs based on active job postings and searches within Quebec.
While specific salaries can vary based on exact roles, experience and employers, the table below outlines average earning potential for key positions:
| Occupation | Average Salary | % Above Provincial Average |
| Uber Eats Delivery Driver | $35,544 | 40.0% |
| First Year Teacher | $63,168 | 21.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $86,503 | 42.9% |
| Travel Nurse | $123,782 | 60.1% |
| Medical Doctor | $198,993 | 75.4% |
| Licensed Electrician | $66,686 | 25.8% |
Jobs like nurse, teacher, electrician, and engineer demonstrate strong demand within Quebec based on active hiring volumes. Their above-average salary levels also make them highly sought-after roles for those aiming to enter in-demand, well-compensated fields.
What Impacts Average Salaries in Quebec?
While useful for high-level comparisons, focusing solely on average salary figures does not reflect the full story. Actual earning potential and wages can vary substantially depending on:
- Experience Level: More experienced employees will typically earn higher compensation than entry-level and intermediate counterparts. Time spent developing expertise in a field is strongly correlated with pay.
- Education and Certifications: Advanced degrees, diplomas, licenses and credentials tend to lead to greater responsibility and higher salaries.
- Industry: Jobs in sectors like technology, finance, medicine and engineering generally offer compensation exceeding roles in retail, food services and hospitality.
- Company Size: Larger companies and organizations typically provide higher pay as they compete for talent.
- Location: Major urban centers offer better wages, although some rural regions may pay more due to industry demand. The cost of living is also a location-based factor.
- Negotiating Ability: Salary negotiation skills and persuasively communicating value to employers affects pay.
- Benefits and Perks: Comparing total compensation beyond just base salaries is important.
Understanding how these elements interact to determine pay is crucial when evaluating Quebec’s average salaries and earnings potential. Pursuing education, skills and opportunities in high-paying fields can maximize earning power.
Salary Growth Trends and Projections
According to the most recent labour market projections, salaries across Quebec are forecast to rise approximately 3% per year on average over the next five years, accounting for cost-of-living adjustments. However, growth may vary significantly by occupation.
The following occupational groups are expected to see strong salary growth based on labour market trends and demand:
- Nursing and personal support services
- Information technology professionals
- Skilled trades like electricians, welders and mechanics
- Engineers and engineering technologists
- Finance and business services
Many of these areas are grappling with talent shortages. As demand grows and supply tightens in these fields, employers will likely need to pay higher compensation to attract candidates.
Conversely, lower-skilled occupations like retail, food service and hospitality are projected to see below-average wage growth in Quebec moving forward.
Top Considerations for Job Seekers in Quebec
For current and future job seekers planning careers in Quebec, key advice includes:
- Thoroughly research average salaries for target occupations using multiple reputable sources. Look at ranges, distributions and factors like experience.
- Pursue education, certifications and skill development that align with high-paying, promising fields like healthcare, engineering and technology.
- Target positions, employers, and locations that offer strong current salary levels and projected growth.
- Negotiate salary strategically by demonstrating value and using relevant pay data comparisons.
- Carefully weigh and compare job offers based on salary, growth outlook, and total compensation, such as benefits.
- Adjust salary expectations based on qualifications and market conditions. Experience brings earning power.
- Explore salaries through role-specific sites like Glassdoor to understand pay at specific companies.
With sound research and planning, professionals in Quebec can maximize their lifetime earning potential by carefully targeting lucrative, promising occupational fields. Understanding average salaries provides helpful benchmarking.
How Do Quebec Salaries Compare Nationally?
While this guide has focused specifically on salaries within Quebec, it is useful to understand how the province compares to broader Canadian earning levels.
According to the latest income data, Quebec currently ranks 10th out of 13 provinces and territories for average wages across all occupations. However, the differential is not excessive.
The national average salary in Canada is currently approximately $54,630. This means Quebec’s average of $49,473 trails the overall country by about 10%. Compared to other major provinces, Quebec sits behind Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia for overall average earnings but ahead of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the Atlantic provinces.
Cost of living differences between provinces do affect real purchasing power. But in broad terms, Quebec remains very comparable to national salary standards. Those with in-demand skills and experience can earn strong incomes.
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:
How does the cost of living impact real wages in Quebec?
While Quebec offers average provincial earnings of around $49,500, the actual purchasing power of salaries is significantly influenced by differences in living costs across cities and regions. Understanding how the cost of living affects real incomes is crucial.
According to the budget data for a Quebec family, the significant expenses are current consumption ($58,208), income taxes ($15,030), and shelter ($15,821) per year. Costs like food, transportation, healthcare, recreation and household operations add up.
Regions like Montreal and Laval tend to have higher costs of living, reducing real wages. More remote areas such as Abitibi-Témiscamingue have lower expenses, stretching incomes further.
Key factors impacting real incomes include:
- Housing costs such as rents and home prices
- Grocery bills, dining out, and other food costs
- Transportation fees like public transit and fuel
- Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums
- Income and property tax rates
- Availability and costs of amenities
While certain cities may offer higher salaries, expenses like housing and taxes could offset much of the difference. Once living costs are considered, $60,000 in Montreal has lower purchasing power than the same income in a smaller town.
Carefully weighing the cost of living factors such as these is crucial when evaluating the actual income potential of salaries in different Quebec cities and regions. Selecting affordable areas can significantly increase disposable earnings.
Key Takeaways and Conclusions
- Quebec offers average provincial earnings of approximately $49,500 annually across all occupations. Actual incomes vary significantly.
- The highest salaries are in skilled fields like medicine, sciences, engineering, law and management.
- Major factors impacting pay include location, education, experience, skills, industry and cost of living.
- As labour markets tighten, salaries in Quebec are projected to rise on average around 3% annually over the next 5 years.
- Government and self-employment offer additional salary options beyond traditional employment.
- Quebec ranks 10th nationally for salaries, trailing leading provinces but ahead of others.
By understanding current income landscapes and factors driving earning potential, both job seekers and current residents can make informed career and financial decisions. Quebec provides strong salaries in many growing fields, although incomes remain reasonable.
FAQs related to average salaries in Quebec
What is the median salary in Quebec?
The median salary in Quebec across all occupations is approximately $49,000 per year. Half of workers earn more than this and half earn less.
Does salary influence happiness in Quebec?
Studies show salary increases only boost happiness up to around $70,000 per year in Quebec. After that, job satisfaction and work-life balance matter more.
Do Quebec salaries keep pace with inflation?
Quebec salaries are projected to rise about 3% per year, which should roughly keep pace with normal inflation levels in Canada.
What perks come with top paying jobs in Quebec?
In addition to high salaries, top paying roles often come with generous benefits like pensions, bonuses, paid time off, equity compensation, and more.
Which college programs lead to top paying jobs in Quebec?
Degrees like engineering, computer science, accounting, nursing, and finance lead to many of Quebec’s highest paying careers.
Do bilingual Quebec workers earn more?
Yes, being fluently bilingual in French and English results in approximately a 7-10% salary premium for Quebec professionals.
Can foreign workers expect similar salaries in Quebec?
Salaries for skilled foreign workers in Quebec are mostly on par with local workers. Immigration status does not majorly impact pay.
Where are the highest salaries located in Quebec?
Smaller, remote cities like Baie-Sainte-Catherine, Mingan, and Kazabazua often have the highest average salaries due to proximity to major industries. Major metro areas also offer strong earning potential.
Why do salaries vary so much in Quebec?
Experience, education, skills, industry, employer, location, and cost of living all impact actual earning potential substantially beyond just occupation.
Which industries pay the most in Quebec?
The finance, technology, healthcare, sciences, utilities, professional services, engineering, and construction sectors generally offer the highest average compensation.