Income & Cost of Living in Canada

What will I be paid? What is a nurse's salary in Canada?

The salary varies depending on specialization, shift, candidate's experience

and employer's location on a range between $21.5-$32.5 CDN.

In British Columbia for example, Registered Nurses have a new Collective

Agreement (effective August 9, 2001). Under this agreement, an RN gross
salary will range between CDN $3,593 and CDN $4,657 per month starting
October 1, 2001. There are 9 pay levels for RNs, based on previous
experience:

Experience Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9

CAN/hr 24.70 25.65 26.60 27.55 28.51 29.45 30.41 31.31 32.42

In Alberta the pay rate schedule (effective April 1, 2002) is:

Title Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9

Registered Nurse 24.70 25.65 26.60 27.55 28.51 29.45 30.41 31.31 32.42

Graduate Nurse 22.61 23.30 23.80 24.23 24.62 25.12 25.92 26.68 27.61
Assistant Head
25.54 26.63 27.70 28.75 29.79 30.88 31.87 32.80 33.96
Nurse
Head Nurse 27.03 28.19 29.40 30.57 31.78 33.01 34.03 35.04 36.27
Undergraduate
18.55 - - - - - - - -
Nurse
What is the cost of living in Canada? Will I be able to save some money
while working in Canada?

Nurse Average Salary & Basic Cost of Living in Canada 2006

Annual Gross Salary based on a 40 hour week

at CAN $24.70 per hour. Overtime is paid time and a half
CAN$ 51,376.00
(x1.5), i.e. CAN $ 37.05 for working hours over 44 per
week

Tax deduction 24% CAN$ 12,330.00

Unemployment Insurance CAN$ 1,030.00

Canadian Pension Plan CAN$ 2,200.00

Net After Tax Salary per year CAN$ 35,816.00

Net After Tax Salary per month CAN$ 2,985.00

Living Expenses:

Apartment CAN$ 600.00

Food CAN$ 250.00

Transport (varies on locality based on Season Ticket) CAN$ 100.00

Electricity and other Utilities CAN$ 50.00

Clothing (requires winter clothing in first year) CAN$ 150.00

Pocket and Incidental Expenses (Cinema, Going Out) CAN$ 200.00

Total living expenses CAN$ 1,350.00

Total saving left after payment for everything CAN$ 1,635.00

Am I eligible for relocation assistance?

For some candidates (depending on experience, specialization, etc.) the

employer may offer relocation assistance and in some cases temporary
accommodation upon arrival in CANADA. But please note that these are
generally not an obligation of the employer and will be negotiated between
you and the employer during the phone interview.