Curious about how much money people are making? Well, Statistics Canada's most recent report on wages in Canada had some good news, indicating that overall Canadians were making about 2.2% more at the end of 2011 than we were in 2010. So how much are Canadians earning?  The average salary in this country is roughly $883 a week or $46,000 a year. [Editor's note: This article is from February 2012 - a February 2013 salary update is available here.]

While average weekly earnings rose in every province from November 2010 to November 2011, the largest growth was seen in Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta and New Brunswick. The lowest rate of salary increase was in the province of Ontario.

Average Canadian wages by industry sector

In administration and support services, the average weekly earnings are $734.24 or $38,180 a year. Workers in the retail trade earn roughly $521.41 a week or $27,113 a year.

In the professional, scientific and technical services, workers make $1,229.64 a week or $63,941 a year. (This category includes a broad range of professions, such as management, scientific and technical consulting; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping payroll services; and architectural, engineering and related services.)

The average weekly salary in manufacturing is $999.75, or $51,987 a year. Workers in utilities make $1,705.73 a week or $88,697 a year, while natural resource workers such as those in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction earn $1,788.92 a week or $93,023 a year.

A sample of other average Canadian salaries by industry:

• Health care and social assistance:  $1,016 a week or $53,832 per year.
• Construction: $1,121a week or an annual salary of $58,282.
• Public administration: $966 a week or an annual salary of $50,211.
• Finance and insurance: $861 a week or an annual salary of $44,762.
• Real estate and rental and leasing:  $768 a week or an annual salary of $39,915.
• Arts, entertainment and recreation:  $641 a week or $33,342.
• Accommodation and food services: $518 a week or an annual salary of $26,915.

So who's making well above the average wage? Well, Specialist Physicians top the list of well compensated professionals at a whopping $350,000 a year. Judges are also high earners, bringing in an average of $260,000 annually.

Other high-earning positions:

• Senior managers of financial, communications, and other businesses - $210,500/year.
• Senior managers of goods production, utilities, transportation, and construction - $195,000/year.
• General practitioners and family physicians - $180,000/year.
• Dentists - $170,000/year
• Lawyers - $160,000/year

Looking the qualifications needed to land one of the highest paying gigs, the lesson seems to be: if you want to earn the big bucks, stay in school.

And how about our national leaders? The Prime Minister, Stephen Harper makes $315,000 a year. Members of Parliament make $157,000 a year and the Governor General earns $130,000 annually.

For salary information on specific jobs in your region, try using our interactive Salary Calculator tool.  

Source: Statistics Canada Payroll employment, earnings and hours

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