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Average Salaries in Nova Scotia
Known for its relaxed seaside charm and friendly locals, Nova Scotia offers an attractive lifestyle for many Canadians. But how do average salaries in Nova Scotia compare to other provinces?
This extensive guide provides a detailed analysis of typical wages across Nova Scotia. We’ll break down averages overall and examine salaries by occupation, industry, location, experience, education, certifications, and other factors.
You’ll gain insights into how elements like job type, qualifications, and city impact earning potential. For job seekers or current residents, this in-depth look at Nova Scotia wages will inform career and life decisions. Let’s dive in.
Overview of Average Salaries in Nova Scotia
According to September 2022 salary data focused on Nova Scotia from ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary across all occupations province-wide is $51,262. That equals approximately $24.65 per hour or $985 weekly for full-time employees.
Typical wage ranges are summarized in the table below:
| Salary Percentile | Yearly Income | Monthly Income | Weekly Income | Hourly Wage |
| 75th Percentile | $62,750 | $5,229 | $1,208 | $30.21 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $51,262 | $4,271 | $985 | $24.65 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,250 | $3,187 | $735 | $18.39 |
So, half of Nova Scotia workers earn between $38,250 and $62,750 per year. But, individual wages vary significantly based on factors like occupation, location, education, and experience.
Compared nationally, according to Statistics Canada data, Nova Scotia’s average hourly wage lags the overall Canadian mean of $25.38 by 2.8%. The province has seen slower salary growth than much of the country over the past decade. However, Nova Scotia maintains relatively affordable living costs, which we’ll examine next.
Source: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/–in-Nova-Scotia
Average Cost of Living in Nova Scotia
To weigh true affordability, average provincial salaries should be compared to common living expenses.
According to Numbeo’s Halifax cost of living data, typical monthly costs for a single person renting add up to around $3,690. See the monthly expense breakdown by category:
| Expense | Average Monthly Cost |
| Rental Housing | $1,614 |
| Public Transportation | $241 |
| Groceries | $520 |
| Utilities | $209 |
| Restaurants | $341 |
| Entertainment | $161 |
| Clothing | $42 |
This covers estimated costs for necessities like housing, food, and transportation in Nova Scotia’s largest city. Individual lifestyles and locations impact budgets, but it provides useful context for comparing against typical incomes. Next, we’ll see which cities offer the highest pay.
Highest Paying Cities and Towns in Nova Scotia
Average salaries can swing widely depending on your location within Nova Scotia. According to data on incomes by city, these areas report the highest average wages:
| City/Town | Average Annual Salary |
| Middleton | $64,192 |
| Halifax | $59,447 |
| Cole Harbour | $54,416 |
| Lunenburg | $52,318 |
| Parrsboro | $49,741 |
| Chester | $47,239 |
| Hantsport | $46,996 |
| Berwick | $46,663 |
| Springhill | $45,924 |
| Kentville | $45,326 |
The small town of Middleton claims the top spot with average salaries of $64,192, exceeding the overall Nova Scotia mean by approximately 25%.
As the provincial capital and only major city, Halifax comes second with average income of $59,447 annually.
The other top-ranked locales are smaller towns, often located close to Halifax or in western Nova Scotia. The data indicates these rural and suburban areas currently yield the highest average salaries province-wide. But ultimately, your specific occupation has the most significant impact on income potential, which we’ll examine next.
Top Paying Occupations and Jobs in Nova Scotia
While location matters, your occupation remains the critical factor determining salary potential in Nova Scotia.
Below are the highest-paying roles identified across Nova Scotia as of 2022:
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary |
| Vascular Surgeon | $369,984 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $366,699 |
| Pediatric Anesthesiologist | $346,385 |
| Hematologist Oncologist | $344,000 |
| Dermatologist | $342,968 |
| Interventional Cardiologist | $340,949 |
| Oncologist | $335,112 |
| Diagnostic Radiologist | $332,058 |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | $330,212 |
| General Cardiologist | $327,647 |
Read more: Group Life Insurance for Hospitality Staff in Canada
These physician and medical specializations yield the highest Nova Scotia incomes due to their extensive training requirements and high demand. However, the supply of these roles could be bigger. Which jobs provide strong salaries for those without a medical degree?
In-Demand Jobs with Above Average Salaries in Nova Scotia
Beyond the medical field, these popular occupations in Nova Scotia provide above-average provincial salaries:
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary |
| Teacher | $60,021 |
| Uber Driver | $35,622 |
| Skilled Trades | $48,188 |
| Uber Eats Driver | $38,489 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $50,592 |
| Registered Nurse | $85,986 |
| Certified Massage Therapist | $63,702 |
| Physician | $150,601 |
Jobs like teachers, nurses, skilled tradespeople, and drivers are in high demand in Nova Scotia, and incomes exceed overall averages. Experience levels also impact salaries within given occupations.
Average Salaries in Halifax, Nova Scotia
As the capital and only central metropolitan area, the Halifax job market warrants focused analysis:
- Average annual salary in Halifax: $59,447, exceeding the provincial average by 16%
- Hourly pay typically averages around $28.58
- Weekly incomes average approximately $1,143
- Monthly earnings typically amount to $4,953
- 25th percentile of salaries: $44,500
- 75th percentile of salaries: $73,500
So half of Halifax workers make between $44,500 and $73,500 per year. High-paying sectors include technology, healthcare, finance, engineering, and skilled trades.
Halifax provides elevated salaries alongside urban amenities and activities for jobseekers considering relocating to Nova Scotia. Those already living in the metro may also boost earnings through promotions, education, or changing fields.
Source: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/-in-Halifax,NS
How Experience Level Impacts Average Salaries in Nova Scotia
Beyond specific occupations and locations, experience level significantly influences income potential across Nova Scotia generally:
- Entry-Level: Younger staffers starting typically earn below-average salaries under $40,000 annually.
- Early Career: After 3-5 years, pay often surpasses entry levels, but the trends are still below occupational averages.
- Mid-Career: Employees with 5-15 years of experience earn average or above-average incomes, around $55,000 annually.
- Late Career: Veterans with 15-30+ years experience command the highest salaries, especially in specialized roles.
- Executive: Top-level management and leadership earn the highest pay, sometimes exceeding $200,000.
Greater experience translates directly to higher income potential in nearly all Nova Scotia occupations and industries. However, education credentials also impact earning capacity, which we’ll examine next.
Impact of Vocational Training on Average Salaries in Nova Scotia
In addition to academic programs, vocational training and certifications increase earning potential:
- Trades Certificates: Electricians, plumbers, welders, and other tradespeople with certifications earn salaries of $40,000 – $80,000.
- IT Certifications: IT professionals with certs like CompTIA or Cisco CCNA can earn $70,000 – $120,000.
- CPA Designation: Accountants who obtain the Chartered Professional Accountant credential often exceed $100,000 in salaries.
- PMP Certification: Project managers with this certification average over $85,000.
- SHRM-SCP: HR professionals with this certification make $70,000 – $115,000 on average.
So, proven technical skills and sought-after designations can boost salaries significantly.
Factors Affects Average Salaries in Nova Scotia
While location and job title heavily influence provincial salaries, what other aspects impact income growth potential?
Experience Level
Generally, the more years of experience accumulated in a field, the higher the pay. Seasoned professionals earn more than new graduates or those starting.
Education and Training
Pursuing advanced degrees, sought-after certifications and licenses, and specialized skills training boosts earning capacity significantly.
Specialization
Developing expertise in a niche technical area or subfield pays dividends. Specialization allows charging premium rates.
Leadership Roles
Transitioning into management, senior, director, executive, or supervisor roles increases compensation.
Company Size
On average, big enterprises and corporations offer better salaries than small businesses or startups.
Industry
Sectors like finance, technology, healthcare, sciences, utilities, and engineering tend to pay higher wages.
So while elements like location and job type are significant factors, individuals can often expand salaries over time through focused efforts.
Job Market Research Tips and Resources
For both job seekers and current professionals, helpful salary research resources include:
- Job Postings – Research open roles and pay ranges on sites like Indeed, Workopolis, and LinkedIn Jobs. Filter by location, title, experience.
- Salary Data – Review average incomes for occupations using PayScale, Glassdoor, and Neuvoo. Breakdowns by city and experience help.
- Calculators – Estimate potential pay using customizable PayScale, Salary.com, and Indeed tools. Input your specifics.
- Government Data – View wage info, job growth projections, and labour analytics from the Government of Nova Scotia, Statistics Canada, JobBank.
- Job Fairs – Connect with employers and evaluate options by attending recruiting events like the Halifax Career Fair.
- Recruiters – Work with recruiters to access opportunities you may be unaware of. They match skilled talent to openings.
Key Takeaways and Conclusions
For those considering living and working in Nova Scotia, key salary takeaways include:
- Average annual provincial salaries are $51,262, below national levels.
- Halifax offers the highest incomes among cities at $59,447 on average.
- Medical specialists like surgeons can readily earn over $300,000 per year.
- Nurses, teachers, skilled tradespeople and drivers typically outpace overall averages.
- Work experience, education, certifications, leadership roles, and technical specialization significantly impact earnings.
- Online salary calculators can provide personalized pay estimates tailored to your situation.
- Major high-paying sectors include healthcare, trades, IT, engineering, sciences, and finance.
With its seaside communities and relaxed pace of life, Nova Scotia offers many perks. While salaries may lag some provinces, the data shows certain occupations and metro areas provide strong income potential. Use the insights from this guide to inform your career planning and salary expectations in Nova Scotia.
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 British Columbia
- Average Salaries in Saskatchewan
- Average Salaries in Alberta
FAQs related to average salaries in Nova Scotia
Article Sources
What is the average salary in Nova Scotia?
The average salary across all occupations in Nova Scotia is $51,262 annually as of September 2022. Hourly wages average $24.65.
Which city has the highest salaries in Nova Scotia?
Halifax, as the largest metro area and provincial capital, has the highest average salaries at $59,447 per year. Other top cities include Middleton, Cole Harbour, and Lunenburg.
What are the highest paying jobs in Nova Scotia?
The top paying jobs are various medical and physician specializations like vascular surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, anesthesiologist, oncologist, cardiologist, and radiologist, with average salaries over $300,000/year.
Which popular Nova Scotia jobs pay above average salaries?
Beyond medical specialties, occupations like teacher, nurse, skilled trades, Uber driver, and physician pay above the $51,262 Nova Scotia average.
How does work experience impact salaries in Nova Scotia?
More years of experience generally result in higher pay. Entry-level roles earn below average while late-career professionals command the highest incomes.
What are average living expenses in Nova Scotia?
Typical monthly living costs for a single person renting in Halifax are around $3,690 including housing, transportation, food, utilities, and other necessities.
What resources help research Nova Scotia salaries?
Useful resources include job sites, salary databases, salary calculators, government wage data, job fairs, and working with professional recruiters.
What factors most influence salaries in Nova Scotia?
The key determinants are occupation/job title, years of experience, specific education and skills, industry, and location within the province.
How much do teachers make in Nova Scotia?
The average salary for teachers in Nova Scotia is $60,021. This exceeds the overall provincial average.
How much do engineers make in Nova Scotia?
Salaries for engineers vary by specialty, but the average across all disciplines is around $73,500 annually in the province.