Salary Data For Foreign Workers In Canada 2025

Canada has long been a destination of choice for foreign workers seeking new opportunities and better livelihoods. With a diverse economy and a wide range of industries experiencing labor shortages, the demand for skilled international talent continues to rise. In 2025, as the global labor market faces new challenges, Canada has implemented key changes to its immigration and labor policies, specifically within the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). These changes are designed to ensure fair compensation for foreign workers while addressing the evolving needs of the Canadian economy.

This article explores the latest salary data for foreign workers in Canada, providing insights into wage thresholds, sector-specific pay scales, and the broader economic context shaping these developments. By examining these factors, we aim to offer a comprehensive understanding of the financial landscape for foreign workers in 2025, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges they face in this dynamic environment.

Overview of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is a vital component of Canada’s immigration and labor market strategy. It enables employers in Canada to hire foreign nationals to fill temporary positions when qualified Canadian workers are unavailable. The program helps address labor shortages across a variety of industries, contributing to the Canadian economy’s overall growth and stability.

Since its inception, the TFWP has been designed to support sectors that face particular workforce gaps. For foreign workers, it provides an opportunity to work in Canada, gain international experience, and potentially transition to permanent residency through various immigration pathways. However, the program is highly regulated to ensure that foreign workers are treated fairly and that Canadian job markets are not negatively impacted by the influx of international labor.
Temporary Employment: The program is designed for foreign workers to fill short-term employment needs. Workers are typically hired for temporary or seasonal positions, with work permits valid for a specific period, often between six months and two years. Employers are required to demonstrate that there are no suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents available for the job.Work Permits: Foreign workers participating in the TFWP must obtain a work permit, which is typically employer-specific. This means that the worker can only work for the employer listed on their permit and must apply for a new work permit if they wish to change employers or extend their stay. Certain workers may be eligible for open work permits, which allow them to work for any employer in Canada.

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): One of the key components of the TFWP is the requirement for employers to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The LMIA assesses whether hiring a foreign worker will have a positive or neutral effect on the Canadian labor market. If approved, the LMIA permits employers to hire foreign workers and is a prerequisite for many types of work permits.

Wage and Employment Conditions: Employers are expected to offer fair wages and working conditions to foreign workers, comparable to those offered to Canadian workers. The wages must meet or exceed the provincial or territorial median wage, ensuring that foreign workers are not exploited.

Employer Compliance: Employers must comply with regulations set out by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They are subject to audits to ensure they adhere to the conditions of the program, including offering competitive wages, providing safe working conditions, and ensuring that they are not displacing Canadian workers.

Sectoral Focus: The TFWP allows foreign workers to enter Canada across a broad range of sectors, such as agriculture, construction, healthcare, hospitality, information technology, manufacturing, and more. Certain industries, especially those experiencing high labor demand, are more reliant on foreign workers, such as in the agricultural and healthcare sectors.

Pathway to Permanent Residency: While the TFWP is designed for temporary employment, some foreign workers may be able to transition to permanent residency through various immigration programs. For example, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under the Express Entry system allows foreign workers with Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residency after completing a qualifying period of employment.

Recent Changes to Wage Thresholds

In recent years, Canada has made significant adjustments to the wage thresholds within the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). These changes, which came into effect in late 2024, are part of the government’s broader efforts to create a fairer labor market, protect Canadian workers, and ensure that foreign workers are compensated adequately. One of the most notable updates is the 20% increase in wage thresholds, which directly impacts how employers can hire foreign workers under both the High-Wage and Low-Wage Streams of the TFWP.

The wage threshold refers to the minimum wage rate that an employer must offer a foreign worker to meet the eligibility requirements of the TFWP. These thresholds are set based on the provincial and territorial median wage, ensuring that foreign workers receive compensation that aligns with the local labor market standards.

Why the Wage Thresholds Were Increased

Protecting Domestic Workers: One of the main reasons for increasing the wage thresholds is to safeguard Canadian workers. By raising the minimum wage requirements for foreign workers, the government aims to ensure that Canadians are allowed to fill positions before employers turn to foreign labor. Higher wages also discourage employers from relying on foreign workers in low-paying jobs where Canadian workers might be available.

Reducing Exploitation: Raising the wage thresholds helps prevent the exploitation of foreign workers, ensuring that they are paid fairly for their work. Historically, lower-paying jobs under the Low-Wage Stream have been criticized for undercutting wages in certain sectors and perpetuating poor working conditions for foreign workers. The wage increases seek to address these concerns by incentivizing employers to offer better compensation.

Addressing Labor Shortages in Key Sectors: Canada is facing significant labor shortages in several key industries, particularly in healthcare, agriculture, technology, and skilled trades. By increasing the wage thresholds, the government hopes to attract higher-skilled workers to these critical sectors. Employers are more likely to hire skilled foreign workers if they are willing to offer competitive salaries, which benefits both the worker and the industry.

Economic Recovery and Inflation: As part of Canada’s post-pandemic economic recovery efforts, wage increases have been implemented across various sectors to keep pace with inflation and the rising cost of living. The increase in wage thresholds for foreign workers aligns with the broader economic trend of ensuring that workers, both domestic and foreign, earn fair wages relative to the local economy.

New Wage Thresholds for the High-Wage and Low-Wage Streams

Effective November 8, 2024, Canada increased the wage thresholds for both the High-Wage and Low-Wage Streams of the TFWP by 20%. These changes have been implemented to reflect the evolving labor market conditions and cost of living across different provinces and territories. The updated wage thresholds are as follows:

Province/Territory	Previous Threshold	New Threshold
Alberta	$29.50	$35.40
British Columbia	$28.85	$34.62
Manitoba	$25.00	$30.00
New Brunswick	$24.04	$28.85
Newfoundland and Labrador	$26.00	$31.20
Northwest Territories	$39.24	$47.09
Nova Scotia	$24.00	$28.80
Nunavut	$35.00	$42.00
Ontario	$28.39	$34.07
Prince Edward Island	$24.00	$28.80
Quebec	$27.47	$32.96
Saskatchewan	$27.00	$32.40
Yukon	$36.00	$43.20

Sector-Specific Salary Data

As foreign workers continue to play an integral role in the Canadian labor market, understanding sector-specific salary data is crucial for both employers and workers. Salary levels for foreign workers vary significantly across industries, depending on factors such as demand for labor, skill requirements, and geographic location. In 2025, Canada’s labor market is experiencing a shift in the types of foreign workers in demand, with some sectors seeing higher wages due to increasing labor shortages, while others remain more competitive with a wider range of compensation levels.

Finance and Accounting

The finance and accounting sectors in Canada continue to grow, driven by the country’s strong economy and an increasing demand for financial expertise. Foreign workers with specialized knowledge in financial analysis, accounting, and investment are highly sought after.

• Financial Analysts: Foreign workers in financial analyst roles can expect salaries ranging from CAD 60,000 to CAD 90,000 annually. These roles require expertise in financial modeling, market analysis, and forecasting, making them high in demand across industries, including banking, insurance, and investment firms.
• Accountants: The salary range for foreign accountants typically falls between CAD 50,000 and CAD 80,000. With the increasing complexity of tax laws and financial regulations, demand for skilled accountants is steady, particularly in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver.
• Investment Bankers: Investment bankers can expect to earn between CAD 100,000 and CAD 150,000 annually. These high salaries are due to the specialized knowledge and long working hours required in investment banking roles. Large financial institutions, including those based in Canada’s financial hub, Toronto, regularly hire foreign investment bankers to handle mergers, acquisitions, and other large-scale financial transactions.
• Financial Managers: Foreign financial managers typically earn CAD 80,000 to CAD 120,000 annually. These professionals oversee financial planning, risk management, and budgeting for organizations, with higher wages being offered by larger corporations or those in high-revenue sectors like technology or healthcare.

2. Skilled Trades

Skilled trades are essential to Canada’s infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, and the demand for foreign workers in these roles has increased in recent years, especially in regions undergoing significant development. Salaries for skilled trades vary based on experience, location, and sector.

• Electricians: The salary for foreign electricians ranges from CAD 60,000 to CAD 80,000 annually. This is a highly in-demand trade, particularly in growing cities like Calgary and Edmonton, where construction projects are ongoing. Workers in this field often receive additional benefits such as overtime pay or bonuses depending on the type of work performed.
• Plumbers: Similar to electricians, plumbers are highly sought after, with salaries ranging from CAD 60,000 to CAD 80,000 annually. Plumbers with experience in industrial or commercial settings can command higher salaries, especially as Canada’s infrastructure projects grow.
• Welders: Foreign welders typically earn between CAD 50,000 and CAD 70,000 annually. Demand for welders is particularly high in the energy, manufacturing, and shipbuilding sectors, with those working in remote areas often receiving higher wages due to location premiums.
• Heavy Equipment Operators: Salaries for foreign heavy equipment operators range from CAD 60,000 to CAD 80,000 annually. These roles involve operating machinery such as cranes, bulldozers, and excavators for construction and mining projects. Workers with certifications and experience in the oil and gas sectors, especially in Alberta, can expect higher pay.

3. Healthcare

The healthcare sector is one of the most critical areas for foreign workers in Canada, given the country’s aging population and ongoing healthcare needs. Foreign workers in this sector are in high demand across all provinces.

• Registered Nurses: Registered nurses (RNs) earn between CAD 70,000 and CAD 90,000 annually, depending on their specialization and experience. RNs in urban areas or specialized units such as ICU or emergency departments tend to command higher salaries. Rural areas, which often face shortages, may offer incentives like signing bonuses or higher wages to attract foreign workers.
• Medical Laboratory Technologists: Salaries for medical laboratory technologists range from CAD 60,000 to CAD 80,000 annually. With the ongoing advancements in medical technology, these professionals are crucial in diagnosing diseases, conducting tests, and supporting patient care across various healthcare facilities.
• Physiotherapists: Foreign physiotherapists can expect salaries ranging from CAD 70,000 to CAD 90,000 annually. Physiotherapists specializing in sports medicine, rehabilitation, and pain management are in high demand, particularly in cities with large healthcare facilities and sports teams, such as Toronto and Montreal.
• Medical Doctors: While foreign medical professionals typically require Canadian accreditation or additional exams to practice, those who meet these requirements can earn upwards of CAD 200,000 annually. Specialists, such as cardiologists and orthopedic surgeons, can command even higher wages, sometimes exceeding CAD 400,000 depending on their location and area of expertise.

4. Information Technology (IT)

The IT sector continues to thrive as Canada embraces digital transformation across all industries. As technology continues to evolve, the demand for foreign IT professionals with skills in software development, cybersecurity, and data analytics is high.

• Software Developers: Foreign software developers earn between CAD 70,000 and CAD 100,000 annually. The demand for software developers, especially those proficient in programming languages such as Python, Java, and C++, is immense across various sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, and gaming.
• IT Managers: IT managers in Canada, particularly those working in larger firms or with specialized skills, can expect salaries ranging from CAD 90,000 to CAD 120,000 annually. These professionals are responsible for overseeing IT infrastructure, managing IT teams, and ensuring the cybersecurity of corporate systems.
• Network Administrators: Salaries for network administrators, who manage and maintain an organization’s computer networks, range from CAD 60,000 to CAD 80,000 annually. Demand for these roles is growing, particularly in organizations undergoing digital transformations or managing large-scale networks.
• Cybersecurity Analysts: With the rise in cyber threats, foreign cybersecurity professionals are increasingly sought after, earning between CAD 80,000 and CAD 120,000 annually. Those with specialized certifications in areas such as ethical hacking or penetration testing are likely to command higher salaries.

5. Hospitality and Tourism

Foreign workers in the hospitality and tourism sectors often work in roles such as chefs, servers, hotel managers, and tour operators. Salaries in these fields can vary significantly depending on the level of responsibility and the type of establishment.

• Chefs: Salaries for foreign chefs range from CAD 40,000 to CAD 70,000 annually. Chefs in high-end restaurants or those with specialized culinary skills may earn more, particularly in major metropolitan areas such as Toronto or Vancouver, which have a vibrant dining scene.
• Hotel Managers: Hotel managers can earn between CAD 50,000 and CAD 80,000 annually. These professionals oversee the day-to-day operations of hotels, ensuring customer satisfaction, managing staff, and maintaining profitability.
• Tourism Managers: Foreign tourism managers typically earn between CAD 50,000 and CAD 70,000 annually. The demand for experienced tourism professionals is high in popular tourist destinations such as Banff, Whistler, and Niagara Falls.

Factors Influencing Salary Levels

Several factors influence the salary levels for foreign workers in Canada:

• Experience and Qualifications: Higher levels of experience and specialized qualifications typically command higher wages.
• Industry Demand: Sectors facing labor shortages may offer higher salaries to attract foreign talent.
• Geographic Location: Salaries can vary significantly between provinces and territories due to cost of living differences.

Employer Size and Type: Large corporations or those in high-revenue industries may offer more competitive salaries.

Conclusion

In 2025, the landscape for foreign workers in Canada is evolving, marked by increasing demand across various sectors, from healthcare and skilled trades to information technology and finance. The recent wage threshold adjustments within the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) reflect Canada’s commitment to ensuring fair compensation for foreign labor while addressing labor shortages in critical industries. These changes not only offer greater opportunities for skilled foreign workers but also create a more balanced labor market where both domestic and international talent can thrive.

Sector-specific salary data highlights the diversity of wage expectations across industries, with higher wages for specialized and high-demand roles, such as software developers, medical professionals, and skilled tradespeople. On the other hand, sectors like hospitality and tourism continue to offer competitive pay but face challenges in meeting the higher wage requirements for foreign workers.