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The average nurse salary in Canada is $75,000-$95,000 per year. This guide breaks down RN pay by province, specialization, and experience.
Nurse Salary by Province
| Province | RN Average | Entry Level | Experienced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $95,000 | $78,000 | $110,000 |
| Ontario | $85,000 | $68,000 | $102,000 |
| British Columbia | $88,000 | $72,000 | $105,000 |
| Quebec | $72,000 | $58,000 | $88,000 |
| Saskatchewan | $88,000 | $72,000 | $100,000 |
| Manitoba | $82,000 | $68,000 | $95,000 |
| Nova Scotia | $80,000 | $65,000 | $95,000 |
| New Brunswick | $75,000 | $62,000 | $88,000 |
| Newfoundland | $78,000 | $65,000 | $92,000 |
| PEI | $73,000 | $60,000 | $85,000 |
| Territories | $105,000+ | $85,000 | $125,000 |
Nurse Salary by Type
| Nursing Role | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | $55,000 | $26 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $85,000 | $41 |
| Registered Psychiatric Nurse | $82,000 | $39 |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $115,000 | $55 |
| Nurse Manager | $105,000 | $50 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | $100,000 | $48 |
Salary by Specialization
| Specialty | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| General/Medical-Surgical | $80,000 |
| Emergency Room | $92,000 |
| ICU/Critical Care | $95,000 |
| Operating Room | $93,000 |
| Labour & Delivery | $88,000 |
| Pediatrics | $84,000 |
| Oncology | $90,000 |
| Dialysis | $85,000 |
| Travel Nurse | $110,000+ |
Salary by Experience
| Experience | RN Salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| New grad (0-1 years) | $70,000 | $34 |
| 2-5 years | $80,000 | $38 |
| 5-10 years | $90,000 | $43 |
| 10+ years | $100,000+ | $48+ |
Most unionized nurses reach top pay after 8-10 years.
Take-Home Pay (Ontario Example)
| Gross Salary | Annual Take-Home | Monthly Net |
|---|---|---|
| $70,000 | $53,500 | $4,460 |
| $85,000 | $63,000 | $5,250 |
| $100,000 | $72,500 | $6,040 |
Benefits & Compensation
Beyond base salary, nurses typically receive:
| Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| Pension (HOOPP/OMERS) | 8-12% of salary |
| Health benefits | $2,000-$5,000/year |
| Shift premiums | +$2-$5/hour evenings/nights |
| Overtime (1.5x) | Common, significant income |
| Weekend premiums | +$3-$5/hour |
High-Paying Nursing Opportunities
- Travel nursing: $110,000-$150,000+ (temporary contracts)
- Remote/Northern nursing: $100,000-$130,000 + housing
- Agency nursing: $50-$75/hour (flexible scheduling)
- US nursing: $90,000-$140,000 USD (relocation)
Is Nursing a Good Career in Canada?
Pros:
- Consistent shortage = job security
- Union protection
- Excellent benefits
- Predictable wage increases
- Multiple career paths
- Work anywhere in Canada
Cons:
- High stress, burnout
- Shift work (nights, weekends)
- Physical demands
- Staffing shortages
- Mandatory overtime in some settings
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