CBC News posted a wonderful interactive income map that shows you the earnings of people across Canada, or within each province, and even in each major city.
It kind of blows my mind that when I thought earning $66,000 or so (in my previous job) was not enough, I knew deep down inside it WAS enough to live (more than live, and to save for that matter), but it felt like a small amount compared to my friends.
The only catch was that my friends are were earning loads more than me (double my income was the max), but I felt incredibly inadequate compared to them at $66,000.
Well, no. That’s not right. I felt average which sounds pretty horrible now because people earn much less than that, and are just barely making it by. But for me and my circle, $60k is average.
Average isn’t a bad thing, and I feel bad for saying and thinking this, especially after viewing the numbers, but wow.
I am (now) earning about $215,600 a year at my average, with a max of $250,000 and my stats rack up against the numbers as follows:
CANADA
In all of Canada I am part of the (very small) group of 896,815 people who earn around $100,000+ but below $250,000+ a year.
Considering the population of Canada is 33,390,141, that is only 2.68% of Canada.
In my age group 25-35, the median income is $28,288.
I am earning 7.62 times more than people in my age range.
As a female, the median income is $20,460
I am earning 10.53 times more than the median female.
TORONTO
Where I used to live in Toronto, these are the stats:
In my age group 25-35, the median income is $29,961.
I am earning 7.2 times more than people in my age range.
As a female, the median income is $22,275
I am earning 9.68 times more than the median female.
MONTREAL
Where I live now in Montreal, here are the stats:
In my age group 25-35, the median income is $27,173
I am earning 7.93 times more than people in my age range.
As a female, the median income is $20,983
I am earning 10.27 times more than the median female.
On average I earn:
For my age range (25 – 35): I earn 7.58 times more than the median person
For my gender (female): I earn 10.16 times more than the median female
Those numbers are mind boggling.
(Of course, that’s an average of earnings. I could be earning $100,000 a year, or less, or more than $215,600, it just depends on the market and how much in demand each of my services are, by client).
I just find it incredibly amazing that I lucked out (and that things just happened to go my way), and compared to a LOT of people in Canada (in the States too for that matter), my life is solid and on track, and I feel blessed, even though I felt “average” before at $66,000 compared to my friends.
But even at $66,000 it was a lot more money than what most people are making, approximately 3 times more in most cases, sometimes 4 times more.
It really puts things into perspective and makes me feel even happier that I’m in such a solid position (well, relatively speaking, it’s not like $216k is my set salary).
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year.
Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about 
Anon: Will do! 🙂
We kind of get screwed as a corporation though lol
moneygrubbing: tell me about it. I’m really amazed at how much they earn and can survive on it. I commend them for making ends meet
It has always surprised me just how low these numbers are. I understand that there is a whole sub-class living on minimum wage, and quite a number of people with no/minimal income who skew the stats down a little, but the averages are still incredibly low. I can’t imagine living on most of those numbers…
I’d be interested in a breakdown of any taxes/benefits you have to pay being a contractor. Canada may be different than the US and they may be almost a non-issues.
In US though, you have to pay ~7% of social security that salaries employers don’t pay (at least, not directly from stated salary), and benefits are worth a lot. In fact, I have been advised that you should probably double your hourly wage if you want to get ahead as a contractor vs. a salaried person.
Whoa – I had no idea you were making that much a year!!
I can’t believe the median income for an individual in Edmonton is just under $30k/year. How are you supposed to live on that, with our obscene housing market? There are some high-rises going up by my house right now, and they’re listing at – get this – $250 000 + for a one-bedroom.
I have to admit – I’m already worrying about how I’ll ever afford to move out!
You’re making more money than I would know what to do with! Kudos!
Would you happen to know where I can find similar breakdowns for California? I’m a 22-year-old female graduate of a supposedly “prestigious” liberal arts college, making $32,000/yr, and have the suspicion most of my peers are making more than me. :\
I recently became a grad student, which brought me down to a fraction of my former income. I will now be making approx. $7500 US dollars per year for the next 3 years. Most of my savings were exhausted by the move and the purchase of a vehicle when I got down here. I’m trying to avoid taking out any student loans at the moment, so I’m now in a perpetual “broke” state (something I’ve never really dealt with before). It sucks.