Nurse Salary in Canada 2026 Guide

Nurse salary in Canada ranges from around CAD $30 to $54 per hour, with a median wage of CAD $43.27 per hour, according to Canada’s Job Bank. This means registered nurses can earn approximately CAD $62,400 to $113,000 per year when calculated using a 40-hour workweek. However, actual earnings vary by province, experience, specialization, employer, and working hours.

In this article, we will explore the nurse salary in Canada, salary differences by province, factors that affect earnings, and the requirements for internationally educated nurses who want to work in Canada.

Registered Nurse Salary in Canada 

Registered Nurses (RN) and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN) are 2 major types of nurses in Canada that provide nursing care 
across hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, community healthcare settings, and other healthcare facilities in Canada.

The salary for a nurse in Canada for a registered nurse is $30.90 to $53 per hour. According to Canada’s Job Bank, registered nurses can earn between CAD $62,000 annually.

Nurse Salary in Canada by Hourly Wage

A nurse who is working 40 hours per week at the median wage could earn around CAD $90,000 per year before the taxes. Actual earnings or salary may differ depending on working hours, overtime, tax deduction, and location.

Registered Nurse Salary in Canada by Province

Provinces and territories affect the nurse salary in Canada. As per Canada’s Job Bank, the median hourly salary for registered nurses differs across the country, with factors such as local demand, cost of living, experience, and employer affecting actual earnings.

The following table is based on Job Bank wage data updated in November 2025:

These numbers show median wages per hour rather than a set salary. Some nurses will make more or less than the above figures based on years of experience, specialization, where they work in the province, the employer, overtime, and shift scheduling.

Factors Affecting the Nurse Salary in Canada

The salary of a nurse in Canada per month can be affected by the following factors:

Education level: A nurse with a higher education level can expect to earn more than nurses with a diploma. For instance, registered nurses who have bachelor’s degrees in nursing can earn a higher average nurse salary in Canada.  

Job Title: Your position will also affect your average nurse salary in Canada. Hospitals run by the government and other major health facilities may offer higher pay to nurses.

Experience: Experience plays a crucial role in determining a nurse’s salary. Generally, nurses with more years in the field earn higher wages due to their accumulated skills and expertise.  

Location: Geographical location is another important factor impacting the salary of a nurse in Canada. 

Shifts and overtime: Nurses who work night shifts and overtime earn more, and if you are doing overtime, you can get a chance to earn a good amount of annual salary.  

Demand: Nurse pay rises in response to increased demand for health services. Nurses tend to earn more in regions where there is a nursing shortage.   

Nursing Jobs and Career Paths in Canada

Advanced nursing roles and specialized positions may earn higher salaries than entry-level registered nursing positions.

What are the skills required for nursing jobs in Canada? 

Now that you have learned all the information about the salary of a nurse in Canada, it’s the right time to explore the necessary skills currently in demand for nursing jobs in Canada.  

Clinical Expertise: Nurses should have strong clinical skills and provide good patient care. 

Communication Skills: Since nurses interact with multiple people daily, they should have good communication skills. 

Technological Knowledge: Nurses must have technical knowledge of the equipment that they will use in the hospital during their job time. 

Cultural Competence: In a country like Canada, where people from different cultures live together, a nurse should understand and respect every culture. 

Continuous Learning: The healthcare field is changing regularly, so nurses must be willing to keep learning and updating their skills. 

How to Become a Nurse in Canada as an Internationally Educated Nurse

Here is the step-by-step procedure if you want to immigrate as a registered nurse to Canada:

1. Credential Evaluation: You need to evaluate your educational background to make sure it meets Canadian nursing requirements.  

2. Complete credential assessment: Usually, internationally educated nurses will go through the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) to initiate this step, but the territories and Quebec have their own arrangements

3. Language Proficiency Tests: It’s critical to show you can speak French or English well. The nursing regulating authority in the province or territory where you intend to work requires you to take a language exam. 

4. Apply for Registration: The next step is to submit an application for registration with the nursing regulating authority in the province or territory of your choice.

5. Complete required examination: In order to work as a registered nurse in Canada, nurses with foreign education may pass some tests. 

6. Apply for a Work Permit or Permanent Residency: You can apply for a work permit and look for work as a nurse in Canada once you’ve fulfilled the prerequisites.  

7. Obtain a Job Offer: Having a job offer can greatly expedite the immigration process, even if it isn’t usually required before arrival in Canada.  

Conclusion 

Nursing can be a very rewarding career choice in Canada, with attractive pay potential in a wide range of the province and healthcare sector. The average salary of a nurse in Canada is determined by various factors, including experience, location, qualification, specialization, and working hours.

Knowing the requirements for these prior to your move can help you ease into your new career in the country. Whether you are a fresh graduate or an experienced nursing professional, Canada offers various pathways to develop your nursing career and gain experience in its healthcare sector.

FAQs

How much is a registered nurse paid in Canada?

Registered nurses can earn around the median wage of $43 per hour across Canada. With overtime and shift premiums, you may earn more.

Do nurses make more in Canada or the USA?

The USA pays more, but Canada offers lower education costs, living costs, strong benefits, and job security.

Can a US RN work in Canada?

Yes, you just need to register with the nursing regulator in your chosen province and pass NCLEX-RN if required.

Is nursing worth it in Canada?

Yes, for the majority of people. Strong job demand, good benefits and pensions, stable public-sector jobs, and the ever-present need for (moral) overtime make nursing a great career choice—as long as you’re willing to work hard, cope with staffing shortages, and do shift work.

What is the lowest-paid nurse?

Practical nurses (LPNs and RPNs) typically earn the lowest salaries in Canada. Nursing assistants and aides earn less than that.