Canadian Salary: What You Take Home in Every Province
We calculated the real take-home pay across all Canadian provinces. See how much of your salary you actually keep from BC to Newfoundland.
Canada's tax system combines federal taxes with provincial taxes that vary dramatically. A $100,000 salary in Alberta looks very different from the same salary in Quebec. We ran the numbers for every province.
The Federal Component
Every Canadian pays the same federal taxes regardless of province:
| Federal Tax Bracket | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $55,867 | 15% |
| $55,867 - $111,733 | 20.5% |
| $111,733 - $173,205 | 26% |
| $173,205 - $246,752 | 29% |
| Over $246,752 | 33% |
Plus CPP contributions (5.95% up to $68,500) and EI premiums (1.66% up to $63,200).
But provincial taxes? That's where it gets interesting.
Province-by-Province: $100,000 Salary
Using our Canadian Salary Calculator, here's what you actually take home across Canada:
The Winners: Lowest Tax Provinces
| Province | Provincial Tax | Total Tax | Take-Home | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $8,049 | $28,747 | $71,253 | $5,938 |
| Ontario | $8,882 | $29,580 | $70,420 | $5,868 |
| British Columbia | $9,074 | $29,772 | $70,228 | $5,852 |
The Middle Ground
| Province | Provincial Tax | Total Tax | Take-Home | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saskatchewan | $10,274 | $30,972 | $69,028 | $5,752 |
| Manitoba | $11,594 | $32,292 | $67,708 | $5,642 |
| New Brunswick | $11,928 | $32,626 | $67,374 | $5,615 |
| Newfoundland | $12,150 | $32,848 | $67,152 | $5,596 |
The Highest Tax Provinces
| Province | Provincial Tax | Total Tax | Take-Home | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia | $13,228 | $33,926 | $66,074 | $5,506 |
| PEI | $13,450 | $34,148 | $65,852 | $5,488 |
| Quebec | $14,798 | $35,496 | $64,504 | $5,375 |
The Alberta vs Quebec Gap
The difference is significant:
- Alberta: $71,253 take-home
- Quebec: $64,504 take-home
- Difference: $6,749 per year
That's $562 per month more in your pocket just by living in Alberta instead of Quebec.
Why Quebec is Different
Quebec has the highest provincial taxes in Canada, but also:
- QPP instead of CPP: Similar contribution rates
- QPIP: Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (additional 0.494%)
- Subsidized daycare: $8.70/day childcare
- Lower tuition: University costs much less
- Pharmacare: Provincial drug insurance
The higher taxes fund more social services. Whether that's worth it depends on your situation.
Cost of Living Reality Check
Raw take-home doesn't tell the full story:
| Province | Take-Home | Housing Cost Index | Adjusted Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta (Calgary) | $71,253 | 95 | $75,003 |
| Ontario (Toronto) | $70,420 | 175 | $40,240 |
| BC (Vancouver) | $70,228 | 185 | $37,961 |
| Quebec (Montreal) | $64,504 | 90 | $71,671 |
Interpretation: Despite higher taxes, Montreal's lower cost of living means your money goes further than in Toronto or Vancouver.
RRSP vs TFSA: The Provincial Angle
Your province affects which account is better:
RRSP Benefits (Tax Deduction)
- High tax provinces (Quebec, Nova Scotia): RRSP deduction worth more
- $10,000 RRSP contribution in Quebec saves ~$4,500 in taxes
- Same contribution in Alberta saves ~$3,600
TFSA Benefits (Tax-Free Growth)
- No provincial difference - growth is tax-free everywhere
- Better if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket later
***** In high-tax provinces like Quebec, maximizing RRSP contributions often makes more sense. In Alberta, TFSA might be more attractive for some situations.
Complete Provincial Tax Rates
Lowest Provincial Rates
| Province | Lowest Bracket | Highest Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 10% | 15% |
| Ontario | 5.05% | 13.16% |
| BC | 5.06% | 20.5% |
Highest Provincial Rates
| Province | Lowest Bracket | Highest Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | 14% | 25.75% |
| Nova Scotia | 8.79% | 21% |
| Manitoba | 10.8% | 17.4% |
Salary Comparison Table: $60K to $150K
| Salary | Alberta | Ontario | BC | Quebec |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,256 | $46,520 | $46,380 | $44,856 |
| $80,000 | $59,008 | $58,120 | $57,920 | $54,312 |
| $100,000 | $71,253 | $70,420 | $70,228 | $64,504 |
| $120,000 | $82,632 | $81,456 | $81,012 | $74,568 |
| $150,000 | $99,504 | $97,596 | $96,348 | $88,500 |
Remote Work Considerations
If you work remotely for a company in another province:
- You pay tax where you live, not where the company is based
- Living in Alberta while working for a Toronto company = Alberta tax rates
- This has driven migration to lower-tax provinces
Popular remote work moves:
- Toronto → Calgary (save ~$1,000/year at $100K)
- Vancouver → Alberta (save ~$1,000/year)
- Anywhere → Alberta from Quebec (save $6,700/year)
Calculate Your Provincial Take-Home
Your exact situation matters. Use our Canadian Salary Calculator to calculate:
- Federal and provincial tax combined
- CPP/QPP and EI contributions
- RRSP impact on take-home
- Province-specific deductions
Calculate your Canadian take-home pay
The Bottom Line
Provincial taxes create significant differences in take-home pay:
- Best for take-home: Alberta ($71,253 on $100K)
- Worst for take-home: Quebec ($64,504 on $100K)
- Difference: Nearly $6,750/year
But consider the full picture:
- Cost of living varies dramatically
- Social services differ by province
- Career opportunities aren't equal everywhere
Your province is one factor. Housing costs, career growth, and quality of life matter too. Run the numbers for your specific situation before making any decisions.