Canada: jobs and pay

How many jobs did Canada add last month?

Employment in Canada fell by 68,000 (-0.3%) in September 2026 and the employment rate dropped 0.2 percentage points to 60.6%, according to the Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada, released on 9 October 2026. It was the second monthly decline after a fall of 42,000 in August.

The September decrease was split between full-time (-35,000) and part-time work (-33,000), and was concentrated among youth aged 15 to 24 and women aged 25 to 54. Compared with a year earlier, employment was up 95,000 (+0.5%). The Labour Force Survey is a household survey, so monthly changes have a margin of error.

Official sources: Statistics Canada: Labour Force Survey, September 2026

What is the average hourly wage in Canada?

Average hourly wages among employees in Canada were $37.64 in September 2026, up 2.3% (+$0.86) from a year earlier, according to the Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada. Wage growth was 2.0% in August.

The figure is an average across all employees, not seasonally adjusted, so it is compared with the same month a year earlier. It can be pulled up or down by changes in who is working: when lower-paid jobs are lost, the average can rise without any worker getting a raise. Wages by occupation and region are published by Job Bank and in Statistics Canada's payroll survey.

Official sources: Statistics Canada: Labour Force Survey, September 2026

What is the youth unemployment rate in Canada?

The youth unemployment rate in Canada was 13.0% in September 2026, little changed from August, according to the Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada. Employment among people aged 15 to 24 fell by 48,000 (-1.8%) in September, a second monthly decline, and the cumulative fall over two months (-67,000) offset gains from April to July.

The number of young people in the labour force also fell by 50,000, which is why the rate changed little despite fewer jobs. Unemployment counts only people actively looking for work. Youth figures are volatile month to month, and in the summer months Statistics Canada also publishes separate figures for returning students.

Official sources: Statistics Canada: Labour Force Survey, September 2026

What is the unemployment rate by province in Canada?

In September 2026 the unemployment rate was 7.0% in Ontario, 6.4% in Alberta and 6.0% in Quebec, compared with 6.5% for Canada as a whole, according to the Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada. Ontario's rate was down 0.9 percentage points from a year earlier, and Alberta's down 1.3 points.

Employment fell in Quebec (-49,000), British Columbia (-20,000) and Manitoba in September, and rose in Alberta (+23,000), Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. Rates for all provinces and the largest cities are in the release's tables. Provincial estimates come from smaller samples than the national figure, so month-to-month changes are less precise.

Official sources: Statistics Canada: Labour Force Survey, September 2026

How many job vacancies are there in Canada?

There were 510,200 job vacancies in Canada in the second quarter of 2026, little changed from the previous quarter, according to Statistics Canada, released on 15 September 2026. The job vacancy rate was 2.8%, and there were 3.0 unemployed people for every vacancy.

Vacancies fell in education, law and social services, and rose in natural and applied sciences. The average hourly wage offered for vacant positions was $28.55, up 2.0% from a year earlier. The figures come from a survey of employers, and 25.9% of vacancies had been open for 90 days or more.

Official sources: Statistics Canada: Job vacancies, second quarter 2026

What is the labour force participation rate in Canada?

Canada's labour force participation rate was 64.8% in September 2026, down 0.2 percentage points in the month, according to the Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada. Excluding 2020, it was the lowest level since December 1997.

The participation rate is the share of people aged 15 and older who are working or looking for work. Statistics Canada attributes much of the decline to population aging: people aged 65 and older made up 23.2% of the working-age population in September 2026, up from 20.5% in September 2019. Because older people work less, the rate can fall even when participation within each age group is stable.

Official sources: Statistics Canada: Labour Force Survey, September 2026

How much is the minimum wage in Canada?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is 2,884 CAD a month (about $2,106). That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average monthly salary in Canada?

In 2025, average monthly earnings of employees in Canada was $4,121 a month, according to the ILO. No year since 2012 has been higher. World rank, highest first: 14th of 57.

What is the unemployment rate in Canada?

The ILO puts the unemployment rate in Canada at 6.9% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 9.7%; its low point was 2022, at 5.3%. Worldwide: 55th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Canada?

13.8%: that is unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Canada for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 20.1%; its low point was 2022, at 10.1%. Worldwide: 79th of 174.

What share of people in Canada are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Canada at 64.5% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 64.1% (2020) to 67.3% (2008). Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 67th highest.

How many women in Canada are working or looking for work?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in Canada was 60.2% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 61.9%; its low point was 2020, at 59.4%. World rank, highest first: 48th of 174.

How many people in Canada are employed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 60.1%. The peak was 63.0% in 2008 and the low 57.9% in 2020. Worldwide: 70th of 174.

How common is self-employment in Canada?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Canada at 9.6% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 9.5% (2023) to 11.0% (2020). World rank, highest first: 144th of 174.

What share of workers in Canada earn a wage or salary?

87.1%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Canada for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 28th highest.