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Average Salaries in Nunavut
Nunavut is Canada’s largest and newest territory, covering over 1.9 million square kilometres in the Canadian Arctic. With a population of only 39,000, Nunavut has a tight-knit but robust job market centred on industries such as mining, oil and gas, fishing, hunting, construction, government services, transportation, tourism, and more.
For jobseekers considering opportunities in the territory, a key factor to consider is the earning potential and average salaries that can be expected across different occupations and regions.
This guide will comprehensively examine typical wages and incomes in Nunavut.
Overview of Average Salaries in Nunavut
According to the most recent salary data aggregated from job postings by recruitment platform ZipRecruiter, Nunavut ranks 19th out of 63 provinces and territories in Canada for average wages. This positions the territory in the upper-middle ranking among subnational jurisdictions.
The overall average salary across all occupations in Nunavut is $57,871 per year. Broken down further:
- Average Hourly Wage: $27.82
- Average Weekly Income: $1,112
- Average Monthly Income: $4,822
These figures represent the mean annual, hourly, weekly, and monthly earnings across all professions, skill levels, experience, education, and locations within the territory. However, salaries can vary significantly based on these factors.
To better understand income ranges, most annual salaries fall between:
- 25th Percentile: $46,437 per year
- 75th Percentile: $67,750 per year
This indicates that 25% of all workers in Nunavut earn below $46,437 annually, while 75% earn below $67,750. The middle 50% of earners make between $46k and $68k per year.
Ultimately, specific occupation type, individual skills and qualifications, years of experience, education level, employer, and geographic location within the territory can all substantially impact earning potential. But the above figures provide helpful benchmark salary ranges.
Source: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/–in-Nunavut
Which Cities and Towns Have the Highest Average Salaries in Nunavut?
While Iqaluit on Baffin Island is the capital and largest population center, some smaller cities and remote northern towns offer higher-than-average salaries within Nunavut. This is likely driven by greater competition amongst employers in sparse labour markets coupled with steeper costs of living.
Based on average wages, below are the top 5 highest paying cities and towns in Nunavut:
Arctic Bay
- Population: 890
- Location: Northern Baffin Island
- Key Industries: Commercial fishing, hunting, public sector
- Average Annual Salary: $70,875
- Average Monthly Earnings: $5,906
- Average Weekly Earnings: $1,362
- Average Hourly Wage: $34.07
Arctic Bay is one of the most northern settlements in Nunavut, and the inflated wages likely reflect efforts to attract skilled workers to this extremely remote community.
Gjoa Haven
- Population: 1,324
- Location: King William Island above the Arctic Circle
- Key Industries: Hunting, fishing, government services
- Average Annual Salary: $66,034
- Average Monthly Earnings: $5,502
- Average Weekly Earnings: $1,269
- Average Hourly Wage: $31.75
Gjoa Haven is an isolated outpost community that must offer higher compensation to draw professionals to work in healthcare, education, administration and trade jobs.
Kugluktuk
- Population: 1,561
- Location: Western shore of Hudson Bay
- Key Industries: Mining, government, traditional Inuit
- Average Annual Salary: $61,184
- Average Monthly Earnings: $5,098
- Average Weekly Earnings: $1,176
- Average Hourly Wage: $29.42
Kugluktuk features diamond and gold mining but relies on government services as well. Its wages are set higher to attract teachers, nurses, and other skilled personnel.
Pangnirtung
- Population: 1,669
- Location: Baffin Island
- Key Industries: Tourism, arts & crafts, fishing, administration
- Average Annual Salary: $60,781
- Average Monthly Earnings: $5,065
- Average Weekly Earnings: $1,168
- Average Hourly Wage: $29.22
Pangnirtung has a thriving tourism scene but relies on public service jobs. Higher salaries draw professionals despite the remote location.
Iqaluit
- Population: 7,740
- Location: Baffin Island
- Key Industries: Administration, technology, renewable resources, finance
- Average Annual Salary: $58,951
- Average Monthly Earnings: $4,912
- Average Weekly Earnings: $1,133
- Average Hourly Wage: $28.34
As the capital, Iqaluit offers the most job diversity but lower average wages due to an elevated labour supply. However, salaries still outperform most jurisdictions.
In these smaller, more remote communities, the overall cost of living is typically higher compared to larger centers. However, the competitive average wages help attract skilled professionals to fill local specialized jobs and leadership roles.
Source: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/–in-Nunavut
Which Occupations and Industries Have the Highest Average Salaries in Nunavut?
Beyond geographic differences, specific fields and occupations offer substantially higher than average salaries within Nunavut than the territorial mean income.
These roles tend to require higher education, extensive training, and specialized skills that are in short supply, even with incentive programs to recruit workers. Below are the top 10 highest-paying jobs:
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Nunavut
| Profession | Average Annual Salary |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $356,992 |
| Dermatologist | $324,133 |
| Anesthesiologist | $320,310 |
| Interventional Radiologist | $305,415 |
| Orthodontist | $284,704 |
| Hospitalist | $241,769 |
| Pediatric Dentist | $228,635 |
| Medical Doctor/Physician | $220,135 |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | $205,044 |
| General Physician | $179,884 |
Analyzing this top earning occupations reveals key insights:
- Healthcare specialists such as surgeons, dentists, and doctors are the top earners, reflecting shortages.
- Senior-level medical positions like orthopedic surgeons and dermatologists command the highest salaries.
- Government incentives aim to attract physicians, dentists, and nurses to underserved communities.
- Licensed professionals like doctors, pilots, engineers, and senior managers also earn well.
- Public administration offers stable, lucrative salaries – especially in remote regions.
Overall, the data clearly shows that the highest-paying jobs require extensive education and training and specialized skills in high demand. Healthcare and medicine especially offer earning potential well beyond the average salary ranges.
Average Salaries in Nunavut for In-Demand and Key Occupations
Beyond just the top-paying positions, it’s also important to analyze salaries for Nunavut’s job market’s most in-demand and critical occupations. While specific needs can vary over time, some consistently high-demand roles include:
In-Demand Occupations in Nunavut
| Profession | Average Annual Salary |
| Registered Nurse | $95,460 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $51,852 |
| Paramedic | $45,493 |
| Teacher | $71,340 |
| Construction Worker | $55,650 |
| Engineer | $78,220 |
| Hospitality | $42,510 |
| Accountant | $62,060 |
| IT Technician | $55,110 |
| Administrator | $68,250 |
Insights on salaries for these key positions:
- Nurses and paramedics are urgently required, with registered nurses earning nearly double the average salary.
- Teachers and construction workers fill fundamental needs across communities and are well compensated.
- Engineers, accountants, IT and administrators earn strong wages in government and private sectors.
- Hospitality and tourism workers receive salaries above national averages despite lower costs of living.
- Most of these critical occupations pay above the mean Nunavut wage, even without specialization.
Overall, these in-demand professions represent promising opportunities, with earning potential well above average despite lower barriers to entry compared to the highest-paying medical specialist roles.
Wages and Cost of Living in Iqaluit
As the capital and largest city with the most diversity of industries, Iqaluit offers a breadth of employment opportunities coupled with a high cost of living. Understanding typical wages and expenses provides important context on earning potential.
The average annual salary for all occupations in Iqaluit is $58,951. Breaking this down further:
- 25th Percentile: $46,250
- 50th Percentile (Median): $58,951
- 75th Percentile: $69,750
Source: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/-in-Iqaluit,NU
This indicates that 25% of the city’s workers earn below $46k per year, while 50% (the median) earn below $59k, and 75% earn below $70k. Top earners tend to be experienced professionals, specialists, senior government workers, and management.
However, weighing salaries against the overall cost of living in Nunavut’s capital and most extensive metro is crucial. For a single person renting an average one-bedroom apartment in Iqaluit, typical monthly expenses total around $4,208.
The highest monthly costs are:
- Housing: $1,579
- Transportation: $1,090
- Groceries: $536
- Restaurants & Take-Out: $465
Other expected monthly costs in Iqaluit include:
- Utilities: $134
- Leisure & Entertainment: $210
- Clothing: $44
- Miscellaneous Expenses: $150
The harsh northern climate, remote location, and lack of infrastructure drive up prices for basics like housing, food, gasoline, and amenities compared to southern regions. However, the higher median wages help offset the inflated living costs for many workers, especially dual-income households.
Source: https://www.careerbeacon.com/en/cost-of-living/iqaluit_nunavut?utilities=245&leisure=391&driving=0
Key Takeaways on Average Salaries in Nunavut
In summary, some of the key points to understand about salaries, wages, and the job market across Canada’s massive arctic territory include:
- The overall average salary is $57,871, with most falling between $46k to $68k
- Remote northern towns often have the highest-paying jobs, averaging $60k to $70k annually
- Top salaries found in medicine, aerospace, tech, management, and public administration
- In-demand roles like nurses and engineers frequently earn above-average wages
- Cost of living is high – especially in Iqaluit, with average monthly expenses of $4,208
- Specialized employment sites like Nunavut Job Shop connect job seekers with opportunities
- Higher salaries and worker incentives aim to attract skilled talent to small communities
- Salaries and job openings vary considerably between regions and occupations
Overall, the data indicates that despite higher costs of living, Nunavut offers competitive wages across many in-demand occupations – especially for skilled professionals in healthcare, education, trade skills, and key services. By leveraging specialized job search resources, high earning potential is attainable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nunavut represents a unique job market with many growing industries, competitive salaries, and opportunities to contribute to community growth as either a new or current resident.
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 Quebec
- Average Salaries in Alberta
- Average Salaries in Northwest Territories
FAQs related to average salaries in Nunavut
What jobs are the highest paying in Nunavut?
The top paying jobs are physicians, surgeons, dentists, and other healthcare professionals, with average salaries ranging from $220k to $357k. Pilots, engineers, and senior managers also earn high wages.
What do nurses earn on average in Nunavut?
Registered nurses earn an average salary of $95,460 a year in Nunavut. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn approximately $51,852 annually on average.
How do salaries compare between the public and private sectors?
Government and public sector roles tend to pay higher average salaries given the territorial economy's reliance on public funding.
Which jobs are in highest demand across Nunavut?
Healthcare workers like nurses and doctors are urgently needed in communities across the territory along with teachers, hospitality staff, construction workers and engineers.
What is the unemployment rate in Nunavut?
Nunavut has one of the highest unemployment rates in Canada at around 15%. But job opportunities are abundant for skilled workers in many fields.
How do salaries progress for healthcare roles?
Healthcare workers see steady salary growth with experience and specialization. Senior nurses and specialists can earn over $100,000 annually.
Do remote location incentives apply to all jobs?
Allowances and subsidized housing tend to be offered for hard-to-fill government and healthcare jobs located in remote northern communities.
How long do professionals tend to stay in Nunavut?
Turnover rates can be high as many come north for a few years of experience but the territory offers unique long-term lifestyle opportunities.
Do salaries increase with higher education?
Higher learning and credentials lead to increased earning potential. But workplace experience is also valued alongside formal education.
What is the gender pay gap in Nunavut?
Estimates indicate men in Nunavut earn approximately 15% more on average than women, highlighting a gender wage gap.