Salary Intelligence
Salaries in Canada by profession
National median, after-tax net, and purchasing power for 38 professions in Canada — anchored to a primary-sourced median wage (2023 data).
What is a good salary in Canada?
Key facts
- National median: ~$44,931 gross ~$35,198 after tax (2023 data, 78% kept).
- Highest-paying role: CTO / Technology Director ~$127,008/yr net for a mid-level cto / technology director.
- Purchasing power the median net is worth ~$36,789 in PPP-equivalent (US price) terms.
- 38 professions estimated each = the national median × the role's skill premium, netted via the tax engine.
National median (2023)
$44,931 gross · $35,198 after tax · $36,789 PPP-equivalent. Source & methodology
Estimated pay by profession in Canada
By take-home, the highest pay in Canada is estimated for a 🏢 cto / technology director — $127,008 net after tax (4.7× the local median).
| Profession | Est. gross | Est. net |
|---|---|---|
| CTO / Technology Director | $209,854 | $127,008 |
| Doctor (Physician) | $183,724 | $114,737 |
| Senior Software Engineer | $159,971 | $102,748 |
| AI Engineer | $153,664 | $99,479 |
| Engineering Manager | $149,219 | $97,166 |
| Dentist | $134,545 | $89,639 |
| Product Manager | $121,107 | $82,336 |
| Data Engineer | $120,966 | $82,259 |
| Software Engineer | $120,019 | $81,738 |
| Cloud Engineer | $115,993 | $79,522 |
| DevOps Engineer | $115,646 | $79,331 |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $109,586 | $75,996 |
| Pharmacist | $106,844 | $74,457 |
| Management Consultant | $104,689 | $73,237 |
| Data Scientist | $100,158 | $70,673 |
| Sales Manager | $91,107 | $65,551 |
| General Manager | $86,278 | $62,818 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $84,746 | $61,932 |
| Marketing Manager | $82,824 | $60,739 |
| Project Manager | $82,824 | $60,739 |
| Civil Engineer | $81,996 | $60,191 |
| UX Designer | $81,014 | $59,542 |
| Operations Manager | $77,285 | $57,049 |
| Business Analyst | $74,984 | $55,473 |
| Physiotherapist | $74,021 | $54,813 |
| HR Manager | $72,334 | $53,657 |
| Finance Analyst | $72,069 | $53,475 |
| Remote Freelancer | $71,688 | $53,214 |
| University Lecturer | $67,908 | $50,568 |
| Content Writer | $63,404 | $47,399 |
| Accountant | $56,603 | $42,745 |
| Hospitality Manager | $54,088 | $41,046 |
| Graphic Designer | $52,275 | $39,957 |
| Nurse | $50,965 | $39,097 |
| Teacher | $49,685 | $38,257 |
| Plumber | $48,292 | $37,360 |
| Chef | $48,120 | $37,250 |
| Electrician | $47,969 | $37,153 |
“vs median” = estimated gross ÷ Canada's national median gross. Tap a role for the full country-by-country ranking. Regulated professions (medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, teaching) require local credential recognition before you can practise.
Canada salary estimates · Source: Canada national median wage (national statistical office / Eurostat, 2023) + WhereNext tax engine · Last verified Jun 22, 2026
Modelled estimate, not survey data. Each profession figure is the country's national median wage scaled by the role's skill premium — a directional model, not a per-role salary survey. Singapore is the exception: its figures are the Ministry of Manpower's June 2025 occupational medians. It is for a mid-level professional and varies widely by employer, seniority, bonus, equity, contract type and tax regime. Net is modelled via WhereNext's tax engine and is not tax or employment advice — verify with an employer or qualified advisor before making decisions.
Where the money goes: CTO / Technology Director in Canada
Gross pay erodes to take-home after tax, then adjusts for local prices — a mid-level estimate, every step sourced.
Updated · National medians (Eurostat / national stats) · US BLS OEWS May 2024 · World Bank ICP 2021 (PPP)
- Gross$209,854
- Income tax−$82,846
- Net (after tax)$127,008
- Local prices+$5,739
- Real value$132,747
Keep rate 61% · net $127,008 · real value $132,747 (your money goes further here)
| Step | USD/yr | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | $209,854 | Estimated gross for the role. |
| − Income tax & social | −$82,846 | Resident tax brackets; you keep 61%. |
| Net (after tax) | $127,008 | Take-home in nominal USD. |
| + Local prices (PPP) | +$5,739 | Cheaper than the US — your net buys more. |
| Real value (PPP-equiv. net) | $132,747 | What the net is worth in US price terms. |
Thinking about moving to Canada?
Canada salary questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good salary in Canada?▾
The national median is about $44,931 gross (~$35,198 after tax) for 2023. A "good" salary is typically well above the median — many skilled professions here estimate above $88,905 net. Cost of living matters as much as the headline number.
Which jobs pay the most in Canada?▾
Among the roles modelled, the highest after-tax pay in Canada is estimated for cto / technology director, doctor (physician), senior software engineer. These are directional estimates — actual pay varies by employer, seniority and sector.
Does WhereNext estimate net salary after tax in Canada?▾
Yes. Net figures are computed with WhereNext's tax engine using Canada's domestic resident income tax brackets and social contributions — not expat regimes. Verify your own situation with a qualified advisor.
How reliable are these Canada salary figures?▾
The national median is primary-sourced (national statistical office / Eurostat, 2023 data). Per-profession figures are a model — the national median × the role's skill premium, not a per-role salary survey — so treat them as a planning guide, not a quote.