Teacher Salary Canada 2026 (By Province & Experience)
By Wealthvieu
·
Updated
The average teacher salary in Canada is $60,000-$100,000. This guide covers teacher pay by province, experience level, and school type.
Teacher Salary by Province
| Province |
Starting |
After 10 Years |
Top of Grid |
| Alberta |
$60,000 |
$95,000 |
$105,000 |
| Ontario |
$55,000 |
$90,000 |
$100,000 |
| British Columbia |
$52,000 |
$85,000 |
$93,000 |
| Saskatchewan |
$54,000 |
$88,000 |
$98,000 |
| Manitoba |
$51,000 |
$83,000 |
$89,000 |
| Quebec |
$48,000 |
$72,000 |
$82,000 |
| Nova Scotia |
$50,000 |
$78,000 |
$85,000 |
| New Brunswick |
$48,000 |
$75,000 |
$82,000 |
| Newfoundland |
$50,000 |
$80,000 |
$88,000 |
| PEI |
$47,000 |
$73,000 |
$80,000 |
| Territories |
$75,000 |
$100,000 |
$115,000 |
How Teacher Pay Grids Work
Teacher salaries increase based on:
- Years of experience (typically 10-11 year grid)
- Education level (Category placement)
| Category |
Requirements |
Pay Increase |
| A0/Cat 1 |
3-year degree |
Base |
| A1/Cat 2 |
4-year degree + B.Ed |
+$5,000 |
| A2/Cat 3 |
5 years post-secondary |
+$10,000 |
| A3/Cat 4 |
6 years (Master’s) |
+$15,000 |
| A4/Cat 5 |
PhD |
+$20,000 |
Salary Progression (Ontario Example)
| Year |
Category A2 |
Category A4 |
| Year 1 |
$55,000 |
$60,000 |
| Year 3 |
$62,000 |
$68,000 |
| Year 5 |
$70,000 |
$78,000 |
| Year 7 |
$80,000 |
$88,000 |
| Year 10+ |
$90,000 |
$100,000 |
Teachers typically reach top pay after 10 years.
Take-Home Pay (Ontario)
| Gross Salary |
Annual Take-Home |
Monthly Net |
| $55,000 |
$43,000 |
$3,580 |
| $75,000 |
$56,000 |
$4,670 |
| $100,000 |
$72,500 |
$6,040 |
Additional Income Opportunities
| Role |
Extra Pay |
| Department Head |
$5,000-$10,000 |
| Vice-Principal |
$110,000-$125,000 total |
| Principal |
$125,000-$150,000 total |
| Summer school |
$3,000-$5,000 |
| Coaching stipends |
$1,000-$3,000 |
| Supply teaching |
$250-$350/day |
Benefits Package
| Benefit |
Value |
| Pension (OTPP/similar) |
Excellent defined benefit |
| Extended health |
Full coverage |
| Dental |
Full coverage |
| Summer off |
2 months |
| Winter/Spring break |
2+ weeks |
| Sick days |
11+ per year |
| Job security |
Strong union protection |
Private vs Public School
| Factor |
Public School |
Private School |
| Salary |
Higher |
Often lower |
| Pension |
Excellent DB |
Usually RRSP |
| Job security |
Very high |
Lower |
| Class sizes |
25-30 |
15-20 |
| Union |
Yes |
Usually no |
Is Teaching a Good Career?
Pros:
- Excellent pension
- Summer and holiday breaks
- Job security
- Strong union
- Meaningful work
- Predictable salary growth
Cons:
- Pay grid caps after ~10 years
- Increasing workload
- Parent/admin pressures
- Difficult to enter (competitive)
- Unpaid overtime (marking, prep)
