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Average Salaries in New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada’s smaller provinces, situated on the eastern coast along the Bay of Fundy and Atlantic Ocean. With a population of just 775,000 people, New Brunswick is overshadowed by the larger provinces like Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. However, professionals in specific fields and cities of New Brunswick can earn very strong salaries despite its small size.
This extensive guide provides a comprehensive analysis of average salaries in New Brunswick. We’ll look at overall provincial averages, salary ranges, top-paying cities and occupations, most in-demand roles, factors impacting earnings, and salary growth trends.
Overall Average Salaries in New Brunswick
According to ZipRecruiter’s latest July 2024 data, the average salary across New Brunswick is $46,344 per year. This falls below the national average Canadian salary of $54,450.
Converting the $46,344 figure into hourly, weekly and monthly rates:
- Hourly – $22.28
- Weekly – $891
- Monthly – $3,862
Salaries range substantially above and below this provincial average. Here is a breakdown of salary distributions in New Brunswick:
| Salary Percentile | Salary |
| 25th Percentile | $35,250 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $46,344 |
| 75th Percentile | $54,500 |
| 90th Percentile | $68,000 |
These percentiles indicate most professionals fall between $35,250 and $54,500 per year. The middle 50% of salaries range within about $20,000 of the median $46,344. Only the top 10% of earners exceed $68,000 annually.
Highest Paying Cities for Average Salaries in New Brunswick
The statewide average provides a baseline, but earning potential varies greatly by location within New Brunswick. Several cities offer average salaries exceeding the $46,344 provincial figure.
Florenceville-Bristol has the highest average at $56,179 per year, nearly $10,000 above the New Brunswick mean.
Nackawic ranks second with an average salary of $53,019 annually.
Here are the top 10 highest-paying cities for salaries in New Brunswick and how they compare to the statewide average:
| Rank | City | Average Salary |
| 1 | Florenceville-Bristol | $56,179 |
| 2 | Nackawic | $53,019 |
| 3 | Fredericton | $51,197 |
| 4 | Saint John | $49,684 |
| 5 | Hartland | $49,024 |
| 6 | Campbellton | $46,375 |
| 7 | Dieppe | $46,332 |
| 8 | Moncton | $46,331 |
| 9 | Sackville | $45,609 |
| 10 | Bathurst | $44,729 |
These cities all exceed the provincial average salary, indicating they offer relatively good earning potential within New Brunswick. However, the cost of living may also be higher.
Highest Paying Jobs in New Brunswick
Beyond location, your specific occupation enormously impacts salary potential in New Brunswick. The province offers extremely high pay for certain specialized roles, mainly in medicine.
According to recent salary data, here are New Brunswick’s top 10 highest-paying jobs and their average salaries:
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
| 1 | Cardiovascular Surgeon | $377,169 |
| 2 | Hematologist Oncologist | $374,188 |
| 3 | Plastic Surgeon | $351,818 |
| 4 | Radiation Oncologist | $347,521 |
| 5 | Vascular Surgeon | $335,655 |
| 6 | Orthopedic Surgeon (Starting) | $334,399 |
| 7 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | $334,370 |
| 8 | Trauma Surgeon | $320,154 |
| 9 | Critical Care Physician | $318,979 |
| 10 | Orthopedic Surgeon | $316,162 |
These medical specialists earn well over $300,000 per year, massively exceeding the $46,344 statewide average salary. However, the roles require extensive training and education.
Some non-medical occupations also reach high salary levels in New Brunswick:
- Software Architect – $104,090
- Engineering Manager – $103,976
- Software Development Manager – $98,269
Although not as high as physicians, these technology roles pay over double the provincial mean salary.
Most In-Demand Jobs in New Brunswick
In addition to the highest-paying roles, it’s important to understand salaries for in-demand jobs with strong hiring demand in New Brunswick. These occupations offer stability and good career prospects.
The table below outlines 10 such in-demand jobs, their average salaries, and critical details on their job outlook:
| Job Title | Average Salary | Overview |
| Software Engineer | $118,328 | Very in-demand with remote work opportunities growing. Major tech firms hiring. |
| Registered Nurse | $75,948 | Always needed in healthcare system. Aging population increasing demand. |
| Physical Therapist | $90,531 | Demand from seniors, injured workers, disability patients needing rehab. |
| Accountant | $62,000 | Needed at major corporations, government agencies, and large institutions. |
| Financial Analyst | $68,000 | In-demand across range of industries and companies. |
| Civil Engineer | $72,000 | Strong hiring for infrastructure projects. |
| Software Developer | $65,000 | Growing along with tech sector and remote work. |
| Teacher | $58,000 | Needed in public school system as enrollment grows. |
| Electrician | $55,000 | Tradespeople have ample job openings, and vocational training is sufficient. |
| Welder | $45,000 | Skilled trades in demand for construction projects and manufacturing. |
In summary, healthcare, technology, finance, engineering, education, and the skilled trades offer numerous in-demand opportunities with competitive salaries in New Brunswick. These fields provide good career stability and prospects.
Read more: Group Health Insurance for Accountants in Canada
Average Salaries in New Brunswick by Education Level
Your education level correlates strongly with earning potential in New Brunswick. Workers with a university degree earn substantially higher salaries on average:
- High School Diploma – $36,000 per year
- College Diploma – $42,000 per year
- Bachelor’s Degree – $58,000 per year
- Master’s Degree – $77,000 per year
- Doctoral Degree – $95,000 per year
The premium for a bachelor’s degree over a high school diploma is over $20,000 annually. Those with doctorates nearly triple the average high school graduate’s salary. Education pays off significantly.
Factors Impacting Average Salaries in New Brunswick
Salaries can vary substantially among professionals in New Brunswick based on several key factors:
Location
Location has a significant impact on earning potential. Cities like Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton tend to offer higher pay than rural areas and smaller towns. Job seekers should target major employment hubs that support their industry. Even within cities, salaries may be higher in specific neighbourhoods or areas with many corporate offices.
Experience Level
More work experience frequently leads to higher pay. Those early in their careers tend to earn below-average salaries for their occupation. However, salaries can increase substantially with 5-10 years of experience. Some professions have sharp salary jumps at certain experience milestones. The “years of experience” factor accounts for significant salary differences among occupations.
Specific Occupation
As discussed earlier, physicians and surgeons earn dramatically more than most professions in New Brunswick. But even among mainstream jobs like engineering, accounting, teaching, and nursing, salaries can swing 50% or more. Specialized technical roles also tend to pay well. Occupation choice is key.
Industry
Your industry or field of work impacts salary averages. Technology and healthcare are two sectors that tend to pay higher than hospitality, retail, and other service-related industries. Working for a significant high-paying industry player, like a top tech company, hospital, or university can give above-average compensation.
Education and Training
Advanced degrees, certifications, and specialized training qualify professionals for the highest-paying occupations. For example, a Ph.D. or medical degree enables careers as physicians, surgeons, and scientists. Certain technical certifications also command substantial pay. Education level correlates closely with salary.
Company Size
In general, larger companies have higher budgets and pay higher salaries for top talent. Major corporations tend to pay above-market rates for in-demand specialties like software development, data science, nursing, etc. Small companies can have pay constraints and may pay below average.
Hours Worked
Salaried employees who work longer hours, overtime, and take on more workload tend to earn more in total compensation. Hourly workers who log more hours directly increase their pay. The willingness to work beyond a regular schedule can drive higher salaries.
Employer Financial Situation
Well-funded institutions, successful companies, and thriving organizations usually offer above-average pay. Startups and struggling businesses frequently pay below-market salary rates. Seeking out financially healthy, growing employers is advantageous for compensation.
Negotiation Skills
Strong negotiation and persuasion skills can help you argue for higher offers and raises, maximizing your salary. Advocating for your value and competing offers can result in thousands more in pay.
In summary, pursuing the proper education and training, gaining ample experience, working for major employers in top industries, and negotiating effectively can all help optimize salaries in New Brunswick. The key is making strategic career decisions.
Cost of Living in Moncton, New Brunswick
Moncton is one of the largest cities in the province of New Brunswick. When considering whether a $98,000 salary is good in Moncton, it’s important to factor in the city’s cost of living.
Average Monthly Cost of Living in Moncton
Based on average expenses for housing, transportation, food, utilities, healthcare, and other costs, the average monthly cost of living for a single person renting in Moncton is approximately $2,984.
Here is a breakdown of estimated average monthly costs:
- Housing (rent): $1,107
- Transportation: $639
- Groceries: $459
- Utilities: $142
- Healthcare: $136
- Clothing: $38
- Restaurants: $313
- Other expenses: $150
So the typical person living alone in Moncton requires around $2,984 per month or $35,808 per year for cost of living expenses.
Income Remaining from $98,000 Salary
After taxes, a salary of $98,000 in Moncton results in an average monthly take-home pay of approximately $5,773.
Subtracting the average cost of living of $2,984 from the monthly take-home income of $5,773 leaves $2,789 remaining each month.
This equates to approximately $33,468 in leftover annual income after covering basic living expenses.
Comparison to Local Salaries and Household Incomes
The average individual income in Moncton is $46,160, which is $51,840 less than a $98,000 salary. The $98,000 salary provides 112% higher pay than the average salary in the city.
Additionally, the average total household income in Moncton is $82,900. A single earner making $98,000 surpasses the average household income by 18%.
So, while Moncton’s cost of living is relatively low compared to major Canadian cities, a $98,000 salary goes a long way. It provides substantially higher income compared to average salaries and household earnings in the city.
Buying Power and Lifestyle
The over $2,700 left per month from a $98,000 salary after basic living expenses provides substantial buying power and lifestyle options in Moncton.
Individuals or families could afford a more expensive home or condo, lease a luxury vehicle, save for retirement, pay for a child’s university education, take elaborate vacations, and more on this level of disposable income.
In summary, a salary of $98,000 enables an upper-middle-class lifestyle in Moncton with ample room for discretionary spending and savings. The income exceeds what the vast majority of households in the city take home.
Source: https://www.careerbeacon.com/en/cost-of-living/moncton_new-brunswick/98000-salary
Conclusion: Strong Salaries in Select Occupations and Cities
While New Brunswick trails national salary averages overall, professionals in certain fields and cities can expect very competitive compensation. Jobs in technology, engineering, healthcare and other in-demand areas tend to pay well above the $46,344 provincial mean.
Cities like Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John offer salaries exceeding the New Brunswick average. Specialized medical occupations lead pay, with some surgeons earning over $350,000 annually. But even teachers and engineers make nearly $60,000 on average.
Overall, professionals can achieve substantial salaries in New Brunswick by targeting the right employers, industries, occupations and geographies. The data indicates positive growth trends that could provide further wage gains in the coming years.
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:
- Average Salaries in Ontario
- Average Salaries in Manitoba
- Average Salaries in Quebec
- Average Salaries in British Columbia
FAQs related to average salaries in New Brunswick
How much is the average salary in New Brunswick?
The average salary in New Brunswick is $46,344 per year as of July 2024. This works out to approximately $22.28 per hour.
Why do doctors earn so much in New Brunswick?
Doctors such as surgeons, oncologists, and anesthesiologists earn salaries over $300,000 in New Brunswick because of the high level of education, training, and specialization required along with high demand.
What jobs pay over $100,000 a year in New Brunswick?
Top paying jobs over $100,000 per year in NB include cardiovascular surgeon, hematologist oncologist, plastic surgeon, software architect, and engineering manager.
When do salaries typically peak in New Brunswick?
Salaries in New Brunswick tend to peak after decades of experience, often between the ages of 50-65 before retirement. The highest salaries go to highly experienced specialized professionals.
Do government employees get paid well in New Brunswick?
Compared to private sector counterparts, government employees in New Brunswick tend to be paid lower salaries, except for nurses and engineers. Teachers, accountants, and administrative roles earn below market rate salaries.
Can location impact salary in New Brunswick?
Yes, location has a major impact on salary. Cities like Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John pay higher than rural areas in New Brunswick.
Is education level linked to higher pay in New Brunswick?
Yes, higher levels of education strongly correlate to higher pay in New Brunswick. Workers with doctorates earn almost triple those with just a high school diploma.
What benefits do jobs in New Brunswick offer?
Typical benefits include health/dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plans, paid vacation & holidays, sick days, education assistance, gym memberships, and other perks depending on employer.
Which jobs are in high demand in New Brunswick?
Some of the most in-demand jobs are software developers, nurses, accountants and financial analysts, civil engineers, teachers, electricians, and welders.
How do salaries compare between government and private sector jobs?
On average, government employees in New Brunswick earn 5-15% less than private sector workers in similar roles, except for nurses and engineers.