Average Salary in British Columbia (BC), Canada: Wage and Salary Rates for 2025

North Cowichan

• Annual Salary: $119,449
• Monthly Pay: $9,954
• Weekly Pay: $2,297
• Hourly Wage: $57.43

Duncan

• Annual Salary: $118,989
• Monthly Pay: $9,915
• Weekly Pay: $2,288
• Hourly Wage: $57.21

Oak Bay

• Annual Salary: $118,773
• Monthly Pay: $9,897
• Weekly Pay: $2,284
• Hourly Wage: $57.10

Victoria

• Annual Salary: $118,270
• Monthly Pay: $9,855
• Weekly Pay: $2,274
• Hourly Wage: $56.86

Courtenay

• Annual Salary: $116,851
• Monthly Pay: $9,737
• Weekly Pay: $2,247
• Hourly Wage: $56.18

Kelowna

• Annual Salary: $115,839
• Monthly Pay: $9,653
• Weekly Pay: $2,227
• Hourly Wage: $55.69

West Kelowna

• Annual Salary: $115,818
• Monthly Pay: $9,651
• Weekly Pay: $2,227
• Hourly Wage: $55.68

Chilliwack

• Annual Salary: $114,525
• Monthly Pay: $9,543
• Weekly Pay: $2,202
• Hourly Wage: $55.06

Campbell River

• Annual Salary: $114,446
• Monthly Pay: $9,537
• Weekly Pay: $2,200
• Hourly Wage: $55.02

Terrace

• Annual Salary: $113,619
• Monthly Pay: $9,468
• Weekly Pay: $2,184
• Hourly Wage: $54.62

Understanding what drives wage growth and the average salary in the state of British Columbia is key to navigating the active job market and competitive hiring landscape. Whether you’re applying for new roles or aiming for a raise, many variables shape how much you can earn annually. Here are major factors influencing income in 2025, based on reliable source insights and job market data.

1. Cost of Living and Inflation

The rising cost of living, especially housing and transportation, plays a major role in shaping competitive salaries for these roles. Employers in BC must remain responsive to inflation when adjusting compensation structures. Many popular jobs are paid higher wages to offset everyday expenses, keeping pace with market changes.

2. Industry Demand and Sector Growth

High-growth sectors like healthcare, AI, and finance are offering salaries that exceed the average salary in the state, often placing these roles in the top 25%. These top paying kinds of jobs reflect demand for specialized knowledge and niche skills. With a database of millions of active listings, it’s evident that competitive salaries for these roles make them great career opportunities.

3. Education and Experience

Advanced degrees, certifications, and experience help workers qualify for jobs that have the highest salaries. According to current estimates, roles requiring specialized expertise often rank in the 75th percentile of wage ranges. These roles make them great career choices for professionals looking to boost their income over time.

4. Government Policies and Wage Regulations

Provincial regulations, like BC’s increase in minimum wage to $17.40/hour as of June 1, 2024, directly impact the income floor for many workers. Wage legislation also affects how employers structure raises and benefits. These updates are commonly reflected in tools such as any trusted calculator or wage comparison tool.

5. Economic Conditions and Labour Market Trends

The strength of BC’s economy influences how employers set wages, especially in an active job market and competitive hiring environment. When demand for talent is high, wages rise to stay aligned with labour availability, based on insights from the labour force survey and market outlooks. More active jobs in our marketplace mean more leverage for workers to negotiate higher compensation.

6. Demographic and Social Factors

Demographic trends and social equity concerns influence wage structures, contributing to variations across gender, age, and cultural background. Despite having access to millions of active jobs, not all workers benefit equally due to existing systemic barriers. Continued focus on fair pay ensures top examples of these jobs remain accessible to a diverse labour force.

Each of these factors plays a role in shaping how salaries are set and adjusted in British Columbia. Recognizing these influences is essential for estimating an accurate salary range for jobs and understanding the dynamics of compensation in a job market with competitive salaries.

What Jobs Have the Highest Salaries in British Columbia

British Columbia’s active job market continues to offer competitive salaries across a range of industries, from healthcare to high tech. With a strong demand for specialized talent and millions of active jobs across the province, certain roles consistently rank among the top-paying career paths. These high-income positions not only offer strong base salaries but often include bonuses, stock options, or overtime, making them excellent long-term career choices.

Top Earning Careers in BC (2025)

Note: Total earnings for many of these positions are enhanced by bonuses, equity packages, or overtime opportunities.

In-Demand Sectors Offering Strong Salaries

Vancouver continues to grow as a tech center, attracting startups and global companies looking for software developers, IT leads, AI engineers, and cybersecurity professionals—roles that come with high salaries and flexible work perks.

Healthcare

The rising need for medical services, especially in remote regions, has boosted pay for doctors, pharmacists, and clinical managers. Specialized healthcare roles are in particularly high demand.

Clean Energy

With the shift toward green energy, BC’s investments in sustainable infrastructure are fueling six-figure salaries for engineers and project managers working in wind, solar, and other renewable sectors.

Skilled Trades

Trades professionals like electricians, heavy-duty mechanics, and welders are essential to BC’s construction and infrastructure boom. Many of these positions now offer six-figure incomes and strong job stability.

Final Thoughts

The average salary in British Columbia reflects a vibrant and evolving job market shaped by many factors, from booming industries like tech and healthcare to the cost of living and where you live in the province. It’s not just about a paycheck; it’s about understanding how your skills, experience, and career choices fit into this bigger picture.

Whether you’re in a fast-growing city or a smaller community, knowing the average salary helps you make informed decisions and see where your work truly stands. BC’s salary landscape shows that with the right opportunities and preparation, there’s plenty of room to grow and thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors cause salary differences between British Columbia and other provinces in Canada?

Salary differences between British Columbia and other provinces arise from several key factors:

Cost of living: BC, especially cities like Vancouver, tends to have a higher cost of living, which often leads to higher salaries compared to provinces with lower living costs.

Industry concentration: Certain industries dominate in BC (like tech, film, forestry), while others thrive more in provinces like Alberta (oil and gas) or Ontario (finance and manufacturing), affecting average salaries.

Labour market demand: The demand for skilled workers varies by province; provinces with labour shortages in specific sectors may offer higher salaries to attract talent.

Economic conditions: Regional economic growth, unemployment rates, and provincial policies can impact wage levels.

Union presence: Provinces with stronger unionization in certain sectors may have higher wages.

What factors influence the variation in average annual salary across different job locations within the province of British Columbia?

Within British Columbia, average salaries vary by location due to:

Urban vs. rural areas: Larger cities like Vancouver or Victoria typically offer higher wages than rural or smaller towns because of higher living costs and more competitive job markets.

Industry hubs: Areas with a concentration of specific industries (e.g., technology in Vancouver, forestry in northern BC) influence the average pay scale.

Cost of housing: Housing costs greatly affect salaries; regions with expensive housing often have elevated salaries to compensate.

Access to amenities and infrastructure: Locations with better access to transportation, education, and healthcare may attract businesses offering higher salaries.

Local labour supply and demand: In regions where skilled labour is scarce, employers may pay more to attract qualified candidates.

How can I use a salary calculator to understand the average salary and cost of living?

Using a salary calculator helps you get a clearer picture of your potential income relative to expenses by:

Comparing salaries: Enter job title and location to see average salary ranges for that role in BC or other provinces.

Adjusting for cost of living: Some calculators factor in living expenses like housing, transportation, and taxes, showing how far your salary will go.

Evaluating net income: They can estimate take-home pay after taxes and deductions.

Making informed decisions: With this info, you can better assess job offers or relocation options based on realistic income vs. expenses.

Benchmarking: It helps you compare your current salary against averages to negotiate raises or switch jobs.

Why is it important to consider the 25th percentile and 75th percentile salary rates when evaluating job offers?

Looking at the 25th and 75th percentile salary rates provides a more nuanced understanding of pay by:

Understanding salary range: The 25th percentile indicates lower-end salaries, while the 75th percentile shows higher pay levels for similar roles.

Assessing job competitiveness: If an offer is near the 25th percentile, it might be below average; near the 75th percentile, it’s considered above average.

Negotiation leverage: Knowing where an offer sits within this range can guide salary negotiations.

Considering experience and skills: Salaries vary with expertise; the 25th percentile may reflect entry-level roles, and the 75th percentile more experienced positions.

Realistic expectations: This range helps avoid relying solely on averages, which may not represent your individual situation.

What type of data is typically used to determine the average salary and annual income rates in the province of British Columbia?

Average salary data in BC is derived from several reliable sources, including:

Government statistics: Agencies like Statistics Canada and BC Stats collect income and employment data through surveys such as the Labour Force Survey and Census.

Industry wage reports: Professional associations and industry groups publish salary benchmarks.

Employer surveys: Businesses report salary data through compensation studies.

Job posting aggregators: Online job boards analyze advertised salaries to estimate averages.

Tax records: Anonymized income tax filings help verify reported income levels.

Labour market information portals: Platforms like WorkBC provide regional wage data based on collected statistics.