Starting salaries for new graduates and early-career professionals. Know your worth from day one with data-driven compensation insights.
$58K
Avg. Entry Salary
$90K
Top Tech Entry
+5.2%
YoY Increase
2-3yrs
To Mid-Level
The Canadian job market offers strong opportunities for new graduates in 2026. Entry-level salaries average $58,000 nationally, with significant variation by industry. Tech continues to offer the highest starting compensation, while traditional industries are also increasing wages to compete for talent.
Entry-level tech roles start at $60K-$90K, significantly above average. Data and software roles are most competitive.
Toronto and Vancouver offer 15-25% higher starting salaries, but cost of living should factor into decisions.
Entry-level to mid-level typically takes 2-3 years with 40-60% salary increase potential.
Starting salaries across 21 major industries
| Rank | Industry | Entry Salary | Mid-Level | Senior | Growth Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Executive & Leadership 10 roles | $156,500 | $234,175 | $336,500 | +115% |
| #2 | Technology & Software 44 roles | $89,091 | $111,571 | $145,795 | +64% |
| #3 | Engineering 12 roles | $69,167 | $84,709 | $109,167 | +58% |
| #4 | Business & Operations 18 roles | $67,500 | $86,423 | $114,444 | +70% |
| #5 | Finance & Accounting 15 roles | $66,533 | $87,970 | $118,667 | +78% |
| #6 | Sales 15 roles | $66,000 | $86,609 | $116,333 | +76% |
| #7 | Data & Analytics 5 roles | $65,000 | $82,650 | $109,000 | +68% |
| #8 | Marketing 16 roles | $60,000 | $76,297 | $100,625 | +68% |
| #9 | Construction 6 roles | $58,333 | $72,834 | $95,000 | +63% |
| #10 | Healthcare 21 roles | $56,571 | $66,410 | $83,238 | +47% |
| #11 | Legal 9 roles | $55,556 | $71,514 | $95,000 | +71% |
| #12 | Creative & Design 12 roles | $53,750 | $71,646 | $97,083 | +81% |
| #13 | Government & Public Sector 6 roles | $50,833 | $63,729 | $83,333 | +64% |
| #14 | Nonprofit 5 roles | $50,000 | $63,175 | $83,000 | +66% |
| #15 | Manufacturing 8 roles | $49,750 | $62,225 | $81,250 | +63% |
| #16 | Logistics & Supply Chain 8 roles | $47,250 | $56,881 | $72,500 | +53% |
| #17 | Education 11 roles | $45,000 | $56,568 | $74,091 | +65% |
| #18 | Customer Service 8 roles | $45,000 | $55,516 | $71,875 | +60% |
| #19 | Media & Journalism 6 roles | $44,167 | $58,584 | $79,167 | +79% |
| #20 | Retail 10 roles | $43,200 | $54,483 | $71,500 | +66% |
| #21 | Hospitality & Tourism 12 roles | $39,000 | $50,390 | $67,083 | +72% |
Highest-paying starting positions in technology
$140,000 - $200,000
Entry: $140,000
$140,000 - $200,000
Entry: $140,000
$130,000 - $200,000
Entry: $130,000
$130,000 - $200,000
Entry: $130,000
$120,000 - $200,000
Entry: $120,000
$120,000 - $180,000
Entry: $120,000
$120,000 - $180,000
Entry: $120,000
$110,000 - $170,000
Entry: $110,000
$110,000 - $180,000
Entry: $110,000
$110,000 - $180,000
Entry: $110,000
Starting positions in business and operations
$90,000 - $150,000
Entry: $90,000
#2$80,000 - $150,000
Entry: $80,000
#3$80,000 - $150,000
Entry: $80,000
#4$75,000 - $120,000
Entry: $75,000
#5$70,000 - $120,000
Entry: $70,000
#6$70,000 - $120,000
Entry: $70,000
#7$70,000 - $130,000
Entry: $70,000
#8$70,000 - $110,000
Entry: $70,000
Learning fundamentals, building skills, establishing credibility
Taking on more responsibility, developing expertise
Leading projects, mentoring juniors, deeper specialization
Strategic leadership, architecture decisions, team leadership
Organization-wide impact, thought leadership, executive influence
Use salary data like this report to understand your market value. Know the range for your role and location.
Look beyond base salary: benefits, stock options, signing bonuses, and professional development budgets add up.
A $70K salary in Montreal may provide better quality of life than $85K in Vancouver due to cost of living.
Early career is about learning. Choose companies that invest in your development, even if initial pay is slightly lower.
Your network is your net worth. Connect with mentors, attend events, and maintain relationships.
Many new grads accept the first offer. Research, practice negotiating, and know that most employers expect negotiation.
Create a professional resume that reflects your market value with our AI-powered tools.