Nursing Pay in Canada 2026: Provinces Where RNs Earn CAD 90K+ With Overtime

RN Base Salaries Across Canada’s Provinces and Territories

Registered nurses (RNs) in Canada command robust base salaries shaped by provincial union agreements, healthcare demands, and regional economic factors. According to 2025 data, national median hourly wages for RNs stand at CAD 42.00, equating to CAD 81,900 annually for a standard 37.5-hour workweek (1,950 hours yearly). Entry-level RNs earn around CAD 29.00 hourly (CAD 56,550 annually), while top earners reach CAD 51.08 hourly (CAD 99,606 annually), with variations driven by experience, location, and specialty.

Looking to 2026, a projected 2.5-3% annual wage increase—based on inflation, collective bargaining, and persistent nursing shortages—pushes the national median to CAD 43.26 hourly, or CAD 84,357 annually. Western provinces and territories like Alberta, British Columbia, and Nunavut offer higher base salaries to address staffing challenges in urban and remote areas, while Atlantic provinces rely heavily on overtime to surpass CAD 90,000. Comprehensive wage data is available at the Government of Canada Job Bank.

Provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the territories start near or above CAD 90,000 without overtime, while others, including Ontario and Quebec, require additional hours to hit this threshold. The variation reflects regional healthcare budgets and staffing needs, with rural and northern areas offering premiums to attract talent.

Overtime and Premiums: The Path to CAD 90K+

Overtime is a critical lever for RNs to exceed CAD 90,000, with most provinces mandating 1.5x pay (time-and-a-half) after standard hours and 2x for holidays or extended shifts. Daily thresholds (e.g., 8 hours in British Columbia) or weekly limits (e.g., 44 hours in Ontario) trigger overtime, supplemented by shift differentials: CAD 2-6 per hour for nights, CAD 1-3 for weekends, and up to CAD 10,000 in annual rural or retention bonuses.

With nurse-to-patient ratios strained—projected to worsen by 5-7% annually through 2026 due to retirements and demand—RNs can easily secure 5-15 overtime hours weekly. At a median CAD 43.26 hourly rate in 2026, 1.5x overtime yields CAD 64.89 per hour, adding CAD 12,978 for 200 hours annually or CAD 32,445 for 500 hours. Double-time shifts, common during holidays, can reach CAD 86.52 per hour. These opportunities, detailed by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), make CAD 90,000+ achievable across multiple provinces.

British Columbia: High Base and Overtime to CAD 110K+

British Columbia’s RNs earn base hourly wages from CAD 32.50 to CAD 52.00, with a 2025 median of CAD 45.00 (CAD 87,750 annually). By 2026, a 3% wage hike projects the median to CAD 46.35 hourly (CAD 90,383 base). Urban centers like Vancouver and rural regions face chronic shortages, amplifying overtime availability.

Overtime kicks in after 8 daily hours at 1.5x (up to 12 hours), then 2x, per the BC Nurses’ Union. RNs averaging 6-12 overtime hours weekly can add CAD 16,871 to CAD 33,742 at CAD 69.53 per hour. Example: CAD 90,383 base + 450 overtime hours (CAD 31,289) + CAD 5,000 in night premiums and retention bonuses = CAD 126,672. Rural incentives (CAD 6,000-10,000) push some RNs beyond CAD 130,000.

British Columbia RN Salary Stats

Alberta: Robust Salaries Hitting CAD 115K+

Alberta’s strong healthcare funding yields RN base wages from CAD 30.50 to CAD 54.00, with a 2025 median of CAD 47.00 (CAD 91,650 annually). By 2026, expect CAD 48.41 hourly (CAD 94,400 base).

Overtime at 1.5x applies after 8 daily or 44 weekly hours, with 2x for holidays. Calgary and rural hospitals offer 6-12 overtime hours weekly, adding CAD 18,000-30,000 at CAD 72.62 per hour. Scenario: CAD 94,400 base + 400 overtime hours (CAD 29,048) + CAD 5,000 rural/ICU premiums = CAD 128,448. High-demand specialties like emergency care boost earnings further.

Alberta RN Salary Stats

Saskatchewan: Competitive Pay Near CAD 110K

Saskatchewan RNs see base wages from CAD 37.06 to CAD 51.07, with a 2025 median of CAD 46.82 (CAD 91,299 annually). By 2026: CAD 48.22 hourly (CAD 94,029 base).

Overtime at 1.5x after 8 daily or 40 weekly hours, with rural shortages enabling 5-10 extra hours weekly (CAD 15,000-25,000 at CAD 72.33). Example: CAD 94,029 base + 350 overtime hours (CAD 25,316) + CAD 4,000 premiums = CAD 123,345. Rural incentives and specialty pay amplify totals.

Saskatchewan RN Salary Stats

Northwest Territories and Nunavut: Top Earners Above CAD 120K

The territories offer exceptional RN salaries due to remote challenges. Northwest Territories’ 2025 median is CAD 56.00 hourly (CAD 109,200 annually), projected to CAD 57.68 (CAD 112,476 base) in 2026. Nunavut leads with CAD 64.69 hourly (CAD 126,146 annually), rising to CAD 66.63 (CAD 129,929 base).

Overtime at 1.5x after 40 weekly hours, with 2x for holidays, is plentiful. In Nunavut, 5 overtime hours weekly add CAD 16,658 (CAD 99.95 per hour). Example: CAD 129,929 base + 250 overtime hours (CAD 24,988) + CAD 10,000 northern allowance = CAD 164,917. Northwest Territories follows similarly, with totals exceeding CAD 140,000.

Northwest Territories RN Salary Stats

Nunavut RN Salary Stats

Ontario: Urban Overtime for CAD 95K+

Ontario’s RN base wages range from CAD 28.00 to CAD 50.00, with a 2025 median of CAD 40.00 (CAD 78,000 annually). By 2026: CAD 41.20 hourly (CAD 80,340 base).

Overtime at 1.5x after 44 weekly hours thrives in Toronto’s busy hospitals, with 7-12 extra hours adding CAD 15,000-25,000 at CAD 61.80. Example: CAD 80,340 base + 400 overtime hours (CAD 24,720) + CAD 3,000 weekend premiums = CAD 108,060. Insights from Statistics Canada highlight stable demand.

Ontario RN Salary Stats

Quebec: Bilingual Expertise to CAD 95K+

Quebec RNs earn CAD 26.00 to CAD 50.00 hourly, with a 2025 median of CAD 40.00 (CAD 78,000 annually). By 2026: CAD 41.20 hourly (CAD 80,340 base).

Overtime at 1.5x after 40 weekly hours, 2x after 48 or holidays, is common in Montreal. RNs averaging 6-10 overtime hours add CAD 13,000-22,000 at CAD 61.80. Example: CAD 80,340 base + 350 overtime hours (CAD 21,630) + CAD 4,500 language premium = CAD 106,470.

Quebec RN Salary Stats

Factors Driving CAD 90K+ Earnings

• Nursing Shortages: A projected 5-7% annual deficit through 2026 ensures ample overtime.

• Regional Incentives: Northern allowances (CAD 5,000-10,000) and rural premiums boost totals.

• Specialty Pay: ICU, emergency, and surgical RNs earn CAD 3-8 extra per hour.

• Union Strength: Collective agreements secure consistent raises and premium structures.

These dynamics position Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the territories as top regions for RNs to exceed CAD 90,000 with minimal overtime, while Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia hit this mark with 5-8 extra hours weekly.