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The average teacher salary in Canada is $60,000-$100,000. This guide covers teacher pay by province, experience level, and school type.
Teacher Salary by Province
| Province | Starting | After 10 Years | Top of Grid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $60,000 | $95,000 | $105,000 |
| Ontario | $55,000 | $90,000 | $100,000 |
| British Columbia | $52,000 | $85,000 | $93,000 |
| Saskatchewan | $54,000 | $88,000 | $98,000 |
| Manitoba | $51,000 | $83,000 | $89,000 |
| Quebec | $48,000 | $72,000 | $82,000 |
| Nova Scotia | $50,000 | $78,000 | $85,000 |
| New Brunswick | $48,000 | $75,000 | $82,000 |
| Newfoundland | $50,000 | $80,000 | $88,000 |
| PEI | $47,000 | $73,000 | $80,000 |
| Territories | $75,000 | $100,000 | $115,000 |
How Teacher Pay Grids Work
Teacher salaries increase based on:
- Years of experience (typically 10-11 year grid)
- Education level (Category placement)
| Category | Requirements | Pay Increase |
|---|---|---|
| A0/Cat 1 | 3-year degree | Base |
| A1/Cat 2 | 4-year degree + B.Ed | +$5,000 |
| A2/Cat 3 | 5 years post-secondary | +$10,000 |
| A3/Cat 4 | 6 years (Master’s) | +$15,000 |
| A4/Cat 5 | PhD | +$20,000 |
Salary Progression (Ontario Example)
| Year | Category A2 | Category A4 |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $55,000 | $60,000 |
| Year 3 | $62,000 | $68,000 |
| Year 5 | $70,000 | $78,000 |
| Year 7 | $80,000 | $88,000 |
| Year 10+ | $90,000 | $100,000 |
Teachers typically reach top pay after 10 years.
Take-Home Pay (Ontario)
| Gross Salary | Annual Take-Home | Monthly Net |
|---|---|---|
| $55,000 | $43,000 | $3,580 |
| $75,000 | $56,000 | $4,670 |
| $100,000 | $72,500 | $6,040 |
Additional Income Opportunities
| Role | Extra Pay |
|---|---|
| Department Head | $5,000-$10,000 |
| Vice-Principal | $110,000-$125,000 total |
| Principal | $125,000-$150,000 total |
| Summer school | $3,000-$5,000 |
| Coaching stipends | $1,000-$3,000 |
| Supply teaching | $250-$350/day |
Benefits Package
| Benefit | Value |
|---|---|
| Pension (OTPP/similar) | Excellent defined benefit |
| Extended health | Full coverage |
| Dental | Full coverage |
| Summer off | 2 months |
| Winter/Spring break | 2+ weeks |
| Sick days | 11+ per year |
| Job security | Strong union protection |
Private vs Public School
| Factor | Public School | Private School |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | Higher | Often lower |
| Pension | Excellent DB | Usually RRSP |
| Job security | Very high | Lower |
| Class sizes | 25-30 | 15-20 |
| Union | Yes | Usually no |
Is Teaching a Good Career?
Pros:
- Excellent pension
- Summer and holiday breaks
- Job security
- Strong union
- Meaningful work
- Predictable salary growth
Cons:
- Pay grid caps after ~10 years
- Increasing workload
- Parent/admin pressures
- Difficult to enter (competitive)
- Unpaid overtime (marking, prep)
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