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What is The Average Wage of a Registered Nurse in Canada?
While searching for job opportunities and comparing options, you will learn that different healthcare employers in different provinces offer different wages and benefits for RNs.
As a new Registered Nurse in Canada, you can expect yearly earnings between $70,000 and $80,000+ CAD.
Newly qualified nurses usually start with a lower pay range, which then will increase with experience.
RN Wages in Different Provinces
RN wage can vary based on the province where you desire to work. Each province offers a different median pay rate, so research before deciding.
Here, we have provided average hourly wage rates of registered nurses in different provinces:
| Province | Low (per hour) | Median (per hour) | High (per hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $30.9 | $46.62 | $52 |
| British Columbia | $31.2 | $43 | $50 |
| Manitoba | $32.97 | $42 | $49 |
| New Brunswick | $31 | $40 | $46.55 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $32 | $41.24 | $45.62 |
| Northwest Territories | $43 | $51 | $60 |
| Nova Scotia | $29.5 | $40 | $45 |
| Nunavut | $34.75 | $64.69 | $83.04 |
| Ontario | $26.67 | $38.05 | $48.6 |
| Prince Edward Island | $30 | $40 | $45 |
| Quebec | $25 | $38.5 | $49.58 |
| Saskatchewan | $36 | $46 | $50.16 |
| Yukon Territory | $41.35 | $48.14 | $54.97 |
As you can see, Nunavut has the highest wages, ranging from $34.75 to $83.04 per hour. On the opposite side of the scale, Quebec has the lowest range of wages, with a median salary of $38.5 per hour.
However, this should be a minor factor in choosing your career path since the cost of living and taxes can significantly differ from province to province.
Factors Influencing Nurse Wages
The following are some key factors that could impact RN wages in Canada:
Geographical Location
Your location impacts your pay. To compensate workers in remote and northern locations, some provinces offer grants to RNs working in more remote locations where it can be harder to staff healthcare positions.
Education Level and Specialization
Higher level education and specialization may help you with higher earnings.
- Higher Degrees: Further education and training can provide higher levels of employment and, thus, better pay.
- Specialties: Specialties like critical care can require higher levels of skill and intensive training, which attracts better pay.
Years of Experience
A newly graduated RN starts at a lower pay rate, and the more hours you work the more your wage can increase. For instance, if one has worked for over ten years as a nurse within their region, the salary will be higher than that of a starting nurse.
Type of Employer
The type of health facility employing a nurse also impacts the pay level. You should also consider the hours of work, benefits package, and positions available at each type of employer.
- Hospitals: Normally pay higher, and have more standardized benefit packages, and more hours available to work.
- Private Versus Public Sector: Nurses working for private employers, may receive better pay than those working in public sectors. However, you must do your research and compare your options and benefit packages as well.
Union Membership
Unionized nurses may have better pay and benefits because of collective bargaining agreements. Such agreements may help with standard pay raises or increases and improved working conditions, improving overall earnings and work-life balance.
Shift Differentials and Overtime
Nurses working night shifts, weekends, or holidays usually receive premium salaries.
- Shift Differentials: Pay for undesirable shifts can significantly increase a nurse’s annual salary. Some provinces offer $2-$5 more an hour when nurses work weekends and night shifts.
- Statutory Holiday Pay: When nurses work on provincial and federal holidays such as Christmas Day, they may receive 1.5 – 2x their hourly salary for those dates.
- Overtime: Most nurses earn extra overtime and are often paid more than the standard rate.
Demand for Nurses
Greater demand for health services increases nurse compensation.
- Shortages: In areas with a shortage of nurses, they usually have higher salaries.
- Aging Population: The aging population naturally leads to greater demands for health-related services and associated wages for nurses in Canada.
Final Words
There are endless opportunities to make a rewarding nursing career in Canada. You might have analyzed different factors and made estimates for salary, right? Just remember that your choice of province, type of nurse, experience level, skills, cost of living in certain areas, and other factors can impact your final paycheck and work-life-financial balance.
So, do your research and take your time to make an informed decision. And if you have decided on the province and want to start the registration process, the first eligibility requirement is to pass the NCLEX exam. For that, you can enroll in the NCLEX program of FBNPC. Contact us; we are always here to help!
