As 2015 draws to a close, and many people start formulating their New Year’s resolutions and goals for 2016, we thought that it was a good time to take a look back at some of the country’s most (and least) lucrative jobs to have.

According to Statistics Canada, the average wage for Canadian employees is currently $955 per week – or just about $49,660 a year. Most of the jobs on our high paying list earn at least three times that much in 2015. (And the lowest paying occupations paid less than half the average.)

The highest paying jobs in Canada:
[Click on the hyperlinks to view available jobs.]

Of course most of the country’s lowest paying jobs will simply pay the minimum wage of whatever region the job happens to be located in. Towards the low end of the scale that is roughly $9.95 an hour earning someone just over $20,000 – assuming they worked full time and were paid for 40 hours a week.

The lowest paying jobs in Canada:

  • Sewing machine operator – $20,800
  • Cashier – $20,800
  • Ironing, pressing and finishing occupations $20,800
  • Artisans $21,320
  • Bartender – $21,000
  • Harvesting labourer – $20,800
  • Service station attendant – $20,800
  • Food and beverage server – $22,000
  • Food counter attendant / kitchen help – $20,800
  • Babysitters, nannies, and parent’s helpers – $11.25/hour

Of course this doesn’t take into account tipping. Bartenders and wait staff, particularly at higher end establishments can make very comfortable incomes with low hourly wages but the bulk of their income coming from tips. (See Confessions of the $100,000 waitress)

The Federal government’s Working in Canada website breaks down the salaries for different occupation by province and even by city. It’s a useful tool for seeing how your paycheque measures up – and preparing for your next salary negotiation.