In 2023, tax filers reported earning a national median wage of $47,650, a 1.1% increase from 2022 after adjusting for a 3.9% annual rate of inflation. This elevated rate of inflation slowed growth in real annual wages, salaries and commissions.
Among the provinces and territories, the median wage grew the most in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2023, rising 4.0% to $40,000 (in real terms). The second-largest increase was in Nova Scotia, where the median wage rose 3.9% to $42,490.
Median wages, salaries and commissions decreased the most in Yukon, down 1.4% to $59,950 in 2023 after adjusting for inflation. This was followed by Alberta (-1.3% to $50,670) and the Northwest Territories (-1.1% to $63,440).
Median wage decreases for people aged 25 to 34 years
In 2023, tax filers aged 45 to 54 years had the highest median wages, salaries and commissions, at $67,800 (+0.7% in real terms). However, tax filers aged 65 to 74 years saw the largest increase in median wages, salaries and commissions in 2023, up 12.1% to $20,960 in real terms.
Meanwhile, people aged 25 to 34 years saw a decrease in the median wage, down 0.2% to $55,650 in 2023 after adjusting for inflation. The decrease in the 25-to-34-year age group was driven by a decrease in the median wage for men (-1.1%). In contrast, women in this age group saw a 0.9% increase in their median wage.
Women see higher wage growth than men
Median wages for men decreased in two provinces (Saskatchewan and Alberta) and in all three territories in 2023, while median wages for women decreased only in Alberta. In this province, the median wage for women decreased by 0.7% in real terms, a slower pace than the 2.0% decrease in the median wage for men.
Overall, median wages, salaries and commissions increased more for women (+2.0%) than men (+0.4%) in 2023. The 2023 median wage for women ($41,640) was 76.0% of that of men ($54,770), a slight increase over the 2022 ratio of 74.8%.
Note to readers
Data for this release are produced using the preliminary version of the T1 Family File (T1FF), which is based on an early version of the T1 file received by Statistics Canada from the Canada Revenue Agency.
The term "earnings" in the release includes the annual wages, salaries and commissions declared by tax filers.
All figures for previous years are in 2023 constant dollars (real terms) and have been adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (table 18-10-0005-01).
This release provides data on wages, salaries and commissions from all sources of tax filers aged 15 years and older. They could have worked full and part time as well as full and part year. The income is received throughout the year for paid employment as reported on T1 income tax and benefit returns. It is based on the employment income recorded on their T4 Statement of Remuneration Paid. In addition to employment income, wages, salaries and commissions includes training allowances, tips, gratuities and royalties received from employers during the tax year. Tax-exempt employment income of tax filers reported on the T90 tax form is also included. Self-employment income is excluded.
The median is the value in the middle of a group of values (i.e., half of people have wages, salaries and commissions above this value and half of people have wages, salaries and commissions below this value).
The T1 Family File will undergo a redesign starting with the 2024 reference year. The redesign is a statistical best practice that will increase the timeliness of the data, expand population coverage, and enhance precision at lower geographic levels.
However, due to the redesign, the release of the 2024 data in spring 2026 will be delayed to winter 2026/2027.
Reference
Data tables: Access the latest tables.
- Note: some data tables may best be viewed on desktop.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 4106.
Previous release: Annual wages, salaries and commissions of T1 tax filers, 2022.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).