Income in Newfoundland and Labrador varies depending on industry, location, and whether you work in resource extraction, fisheries, or the service sector. St. John’s and the Avalon Peninsula tend to have higher incomes than rural communities. In this article we break down the average and median individual income, household income, and income by age group for NL residents.
Average individual income in Newfoundland and Labrador
The average individual income in Newfoundland and Labrador is $44,300 before tax. The average after-tax income is approximately $37,600 and the average individual income tax paid is roughly $6,700.
The median individual income in Newfoundland and Labrador is $34,400 which is lower than the average, indicating that higher earners in oil and gas, mining, and skilled trades pull the average upward. The median is generally a more representative measure of what a typical NL resident earns.
How Newfoundland income compares nationally
| Metric | Newfoundland | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Average income | $44,300 | $57,100 |
| Median income | $34,400 | $43,100 |
| Average after-tax income | $37,600 | $48,100 |
| Average household income | $94,000 | $106,500 |
While individual income lags the national average by about $12,800, Newfoundland’s household income of $94,000 is relatively strong compared to other Atlantic provinces. This is partly driven by resource sector employment and dual-income households.
To see exactly where your income ranks, use the Canada income percentile calculator.
Average income in Newfoundland and Labrador by age
Income in NL varies by age group. Earnings tend to peak between 45 and 54, particularly for those in the resource sector:
| Age Group | Average Income | Median Income |
|---|---|---|
| 25 to 34 | $43,800 | $38,400 |
| 35 to 44 | $55,100 | $47,200 |
| 45 to 54 | $58,600 | $48,500 |
| 55 to 64 | $50,200 | $39,600 |
| 65+ | $34,800 | $26,200 |
Peak earning years in Newfoundland are 45 to 54, when average income reaches $58,600, often driven by experienced workers in the resource sector. Planning for retirement is essential — see the RRSP guide and CPP guide.
Average household income in Newfoundland and Labrador
The average household income in Newfoundland and Labrador is $94,000 before tax. The average after-tax household income is approximately $77,200, meaning the average household pays roughly $16,800 in income tax.
Newfoundland has the highest average household income among Atlantic provinces, which may reflect the influence of well-paying resource jobs, particularly in oil extraction and mining.
Median household income in Newfoundland and Labrador
The median household income in Newfoundland and Labrador is $71,200. The after-tax median household income is approximately $61,800, meaning the median household pays about $9,400 in income tax.
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average household income | $94,000 |
| Median household income | $71,200 |
| Average after-tax household | $77,200 |
| Median after-tax household | $61,800 |
The $22,800 gap between the average and median household income suggests significant income inequality, likely driven by high-paying resource sector jobs that pull the average well above what a typical household earns.
What is a good salary in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Whether a salary is “good” depends on where you live and your lifestyle:
- $40,000-$50,000 — around the provincial average, comfortable for a single person in most NL communities
- $55,000-$70,000 — above average, enough for homeownership in St. John’s or Corner Brook
- $80,000+ — a high income by NL standards, common in oil and gas, mining, and skilled trades
Housing in Newfoundland remains among the most affordable in Canada. The Newfoundland mortgage affordability calculator can help you see what you can afford.
For broader salary context, see the is $50,000 a good salary and is $75,000 a good salary guides.
Newfoundland income compared to Atlantic provinces
| Province | Average Individual Income | Average Household Income |
|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland | $44,300 | $94,000 |
| New Brunswick | $44,300 | $82,800 |
| Nova Scotia | $44,200 | $86,700 |
| PEI | $41,600 | $82,400 |
Individual incomes are very similar across Atlantic provinces, but Newfoundland leads significantly in household income at $94,000, roughly $7,000-$12,000 more than its neighbours. Resource sector employment and rotational work contribute to this gap.
Understanding Newfoundland taxes on your income
Newfoundland and Labrador has five provincial tax brackets with rates ranging from 8.7% to 21.8%. Combined with federal tax, top marginal rates reach 54.80%, making NL one of the highest-taxed provinces for top earners.
However, the province offers several credits that help lower-income residents:
- The NL Low-Income Tax Reduction for incomes under $21,755
- Federal GST/HST credit for lower incomes
- RRSP contributions reduce taxable income — see the RRSP guide
- TFSA grows investments tax-free — see the TFSA guide
- Use the NL sales tax calculator for the 15% HST impact on purchases
Data sources
The incomes listed in this article are based on data released by Statistics Canada in the most recent Canadian Income Survey (CIS) completed for the 2022 year and released on 2024-04-26. Income distribution data comes from the Income Explorer based on the 2021 census which reflects 2020 income.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average income in Newfoundland and Labrador?
The average individual income in Newfoundland and Labrador is approximately $44,300 before tax.
What is the average household income in Newfoundland and Labrador?
The average household income in Newfoundland and Labrador is approximately $94,000 before tax, the highest among Atlantic provinces.
How does Newfoundland income compare to the national average?
Newfoundland’s individual average of $44,300 is below the Canadian average of $57,100, but household income at $94,000 is relatively strong due to resource sector employment.
Why is Newfoundland’s household income higher than other Atlantic provinces?
Resource sector jobs in oil extraction, mining, and skilled trades pay above-average wages. Many households benefit from rotational workers earning premium wages, which pushes the average household income higher.
Related guides
- Newfoundland tax brackets
- Newfoundland sales tax calculator
- Newfoundland mortgage rates
- Average income in Canada
- Average household income in Canada
- Income percentile calculator
Average income in other provinces and territories
Compare the income to Canada's average and median income or other provinces:
