Curious about Registered Nurse salaries in Canada? This guide offers a detailed breakdown of Registered Nurse wages across provinces, insights on regional pay trends, benefits, and practical tips to help nurses maximize their earning potential.
If you’re considering a career as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Canada or exploring opportunities for career advancement, understanding the salary landscape is crucial. Here’s a detailed breakdown of Registered Nurse earnings across the country, highlighting regional variations, factors influencing pay, and tips for maximizing your earning potential.
As of late 2025, the average hourly wage for a Registered Nurse in Canada is approximately $45.03. This figure represents a broad national average, encompassing various provinces and healthcare settings.
However, wages can vary significantly depending on location, experience, and specialization. For instance, the Government of Canada’s Job Bank reports that the median hourly wage for Registered Nurses is $42.00, with a range from $29.00 to $51.08.
Salaries for RNs differ across provinces, influenced by factors like cost of living, demand for healthcare professionals, and regional funding for healthcare services. Here’s a snapshot of Registered Nurse hourly wages in different provinces and areas across Canada:
| Region | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (National) | $29.00 | $42.00 | $51.08 |
| Alberta | $30.50 | $47.00 | $54.00 |
| British Columbia | $32.00 | $48.57 | $55.00 |
| Ontario | $28.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| Quebec | $30.00 | $42.00 | $50.00 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $32.00 | $42.00 | $47.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $32.00 | $42.00 | $47.00 |
| Manitoba | $28.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $30.00 | $42.00 | $50.00 |
| New Brunswick | $28.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $28.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| Northwest Territories | $45.00 | $56.00 | $66.67 |
| Yukon | $45.00 | $56.00 | $66.67 |
| Nunavut | $45.00 | $56.00 | $66.67 |
Source: Job Bank
| Region | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Alberta (Overall) |
$30.50 |
$47.00 |
$54.00 |
|
Athabasca–Grande Prairie–Peace River |
$30.50 |
$47.00 |
$54.00 |
|
Banff–Jasper–Rocky Mountain House |
$30.50 |
$47.00 |
$54.00 |
|
Calgary |
$34.57 |
$48.00 |
$52.71 |
|
Camrose – Drumheller |
$25.00 |
$47.18 |
$56.25 |
|
Edmonton |
$29.00 |
$46.00 |
$54.49 |
|
Lethbridge – Medicine Hat |
$30.50 |
$47.00 |
$54.00 |
|
Red Deer |
$30.52 |
$45.00 |
$53.00 |
|
Wood Buffalo – Cold Lake |
$30.50 |
$47.00 |
$54.00 |
Key Insights:
These insights can assist Registered Nurses in Alberta in making informed decisions about their career paths and potential earnings based on regional factors.
| Region | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
British Columbia (Overall) |
$32.50 |
$45.00 |
$52.00 |
|
Cariboo |
$36.00 |
$45.00 |
$53.00 |
|
Kootenay |
$28.00 |
$44.23 |
$53.00 |
|
Lower Mainland–Southwest |
$32.00 |
$44.20 |
$52.00 |
|
Nechako |
$37.30 |
$44.00 |
$52.82 |
|
North Coast |
$37.30 |
$44.00 |
$52.82 |
|
Northeast Region |
$32.50 |
$45.00 |
$52.00 |
|
Thompson–Okanagan Region |
$32.59 |
$46.00 |
$52.00 |
|
Vancouver Island and Coast Region |
$32.59 |
$45.00 |
$52.82 |
Key Insights:
| Region | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Manitoba (Overall) |
$33.00 |
$44.00 |
$51.00 |
|
Interlake |
$28.00 |
$45.00 |
$51.00 |
|
North Central Region |
$32.00 |
$44.00 |
$49.10 |
|
North Region |
$34.70 |
$42.00 |
$51.80 |
|
Parklands |
$34.70 |
$42.00 |
$51.80 |
|
South Central Region |
$32.00 |
$44.00 |
$49.10 |
|
Southeast Region |
$36.66 |
$45.00 |
$53.00 |
|
Southwest Region |
$32.50 |
$42.00 |
$52.90 |
|
Winnipeg |
$35.00 |
$44.46 |
$50.00 |
Key Insights:
| Region | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
New Brunswick (Overall) |
$31.00 |
$43.00 |
$48.00 |
|
Campbellton–Miramichi |
$32.50 |
$43.00 |
$48.00 |
|
Edmundston–Woodstock |
$30.00 |
$44.00 |
$51.00 |
|
Fredericton–Oromocto |
$34.29 |
$43.00 |
$49.00 |
|
Moncton–Richibucto |
$30.00 |
$43.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Saint John–St. Stephen Region |
$31.06 |
$42.00 |
$47.01 |
Key Insights:
| Region | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Newfoundland and Labrador (Overall) |
$32.00 |
$42.00 |
$47.00 |
|
Avalon Peninsula Region |
$32.00 |
$42.00 |
$47.62 |
|
Notre Dame–Central–Bonavista Bay Region |
$27.00 |
$42.00 |
$47.00 |
|
South Coast–Burin Peninsula Region |
$27.00 |
$42.00 |
$47.00 |
|
West Coast–Northern Peninsula–Labrador Region |
$36.00 |
$42.00 |
$46.00 |
| Region | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Nova Scotia (Overall) |
$30.00 |
$40.00 |
$45.00 |
|
Annapolis Valley Region |
$28.50 |
$41.00 |
$45.11 |
|
Cape Breton Region |
$30.42 |
$41.21 |
$47.50 |
|
Halifax Region |
$28.85 |
$40.00 |
$44.87 |
|
North Shore Region |
$30.60 |
$40.00 |
$45.00 |
|
Southern Region |
$30.33 |
$40.00 |
$45.00 |
| Region | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ontario (Overall) |
$28.00 |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula Region |
$28.00 |
$41.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Kingston–Pembroke Region |
$28.00 |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie Region |
$28.70 |
$39.00 |
$50.85 |
|
London Region |
$28.00 |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Muskoka–Kawarthas Region |
$28.00 |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Northeast Region |
$29.00 |
$41.25 |
$52.00 |
|
Northwest Region |
$29.30 |
$39.45 |
$50.48 |
|
Ottawa Region |
$28.00 |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Stratford–Bruce Peninsula Region |
$30.00 |
$38.60 |
$51.00 |
|
Toronto Region |
$28.00 |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Windsor–Sarnia Region |
$28.50 |
$41.00 |
$50.00 |
Key Insights:
| Region | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Quebec (Overall) |
$26.00 |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region |
$26.22 |
$41.00 |
$53.00 |
|
Bas-Saint-Laurent Region |
$27.00 |
$40.83 |
$49.45 |
|
Capitale-Nationale Region |
$26.00 |
$39.00 |
$48.00 |
|
Centre-du-Québec Region |
$20.00 |
$41.00 |
$50.39 |
|
Chaudière-Appalaches Region |
$29.07 |
$40.25 |
$49.00 |
|
Côte-Nord Region |
$26.00 |
$39.83 |
$45.80 |
|
Estrie Region |
$26.00 |
$40.00 |
$48.00 |
|
Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine Region |
$32.00 |
$40.00 |
$48.00 |
|
Lanaudière Region |
$26.00 |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Laurentides Region |
$26.00 |
$40.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Laval Region |
$25.00 |
$40.38 |
$48.08 |
|
Mauricie Region |
$33.00 |
$42.00 |
$60.00 |
|
Montréal Region |
$25.81 |
$38.00 |
$50.39 |
|
Montérégie Region |
$26.52 |
$40.00 |
$47.65 |
|
Nord-du-Québec Region |
$26.00 |
$39.83 |
$45.80 |
|
Outaouais Region |
$29.00 |
$40.00 |
$48.00 |
|
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Region |
$25.00 |
$36.00 |
$48.00 |
| Region | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Saskatchewan (Overall) |
$37.06 |
$46.82 |
$51.07 |
|
Northern Region |
$37.06 |
$46.82 |
$51.07 |
|
Prince Albert Region |
$37.06 |
$46.82 |
$51.07 |
|
Regina–Moose Mountain Region |
$37.00 |
$47.18 |
$52.00 |
|
Saskatoon–Biggar Region |
$37.08 |
$47.00 |
$51.00 |
|
Swift Current–Moose Jaw Region |
$37.06 |
$46.82 |
$51.07 |
|
Yorkton–Melville Region |
$37.06 |
$46.82 |
$51.07 |
Registered Nurse salaries aren’t one-size-fits-all, they vary based on several key factors:
Understanding these factors helps you plan your career and maximize your income potential.
While salary is important, Registered Nurses often receive additional benefits that add value to their total compensation package:
Ready to take the next step in your nursing career? Explore top Registered Nurse opportunities across Canada and find the right role for your skills and experience on our job board today.
Entry-level RNs typically earn between $28 and $35 per hour, depending on the province and work setting. Urban hospitals often offer higher starting wages, while smaller towns may provide additional benefits to attract new talent.
Yes. Many healthcare employers offer shift differentials, meaning nurses working evenings, nights, or weekends can earn extra hourly pay, sometimes up to 15 – 20% more than standard daytime shifts.
Specialized areas such as ICU, oncology, anesthesia, or aesthetic nursing often pay higher wages due to advanced skill requirements and demand, providing both financial and career advancement incentives.
Salaries typically increase with experience, additional education, or union-negotiated adjustments. Annual raises, step increments, or promotions to senior or specialized roles can significantly boost overall earnings over time.
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