Being in Canadian workforce for several years, I have learned not to ask about salary in an interview.
Well, you’ll already have an idea in the job advertisement and sometimes preferred compensation is included in the resume. (Don’t forget to do the research).
It’s another way around for anyone who is looking for either live-out or live-in caregiver jobs.
You have to know the caregiver salary in Canada before you sign the contract.
Numbers are significant because it will affect your financial status in the long run.
When I applied as a caregiver from the Philippines, I knew nothing much about the salary because I was more interested in coping with the weather.
It turns out that I’ll never get used to the weather but I am now interested in personal finance more than ever.
With hunger for knowledge and experience, I’ll help you navigate the personal finance of a caregiver because I’m not just throwing figures here.
You’ll learn things every aspiring caregivers or who are already working in Canada yet might have missed a thing or two.
- Median wage of caregivers
- What’s in your payslip and how is it made
- Canadian tax or other deductions
- Work hours, holidays etc.
Are these too much for a blog post?
I don’t think so. You’ll soon find out how each topic are connected and equally important.
Caregiver Salary in Canada (According to Provinces)
For anyone looking for caregiver jobs, the first thing to do is to look for an employer. It’s the most challenging part.
While you are on the lookout for a prospective employer wherever in Canada, consider the salary. Later, we’ll look at the other financial factors that can affect the cost of living.
The data were taken from Job Bank (as of November 1, 2016). I choose the median wage but the low and high wage is also available in the resource.
The median is the middle number in a sorted list of numbers (from lowest to highest). The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is the nationally accepted reference on occupations in Canada.
Median Wages ($/hr) of Home Child Care Providers (NOC 4411-C)
Canada – 12.96
Alberta – 15.00
British Columbia – 14.00
Manitoba – 12.50
New Brunswick – 12.50
Newfoundland and Labrador – 13.33
Northwest Territories (Yellowknife region) – N/A
Nova Scotia – N/A
Nunavut – N/A
Ontario – 14.00
Prince Edward Island – N/A
Quebec – 14.11
Saskatchewan – 13.51
Yukon – N/A
Resource: Home child care providers (low, median, high etc.)
Home child care providers are also called live-in caregivers and nanny among the other titles in the NOC 4111. It is included in one of the low-wage positions.
Median Wages ($/hr) for Home Support Workers, Housekeepers and Related Occupations (NOC 4412-C)
Canada – 15.80
Alberta – 17.31
British Columbia – 18.00
Manitoba – 14.50
New Brunswick – 13.40
Newfoundland and Labrador – 15.05
Northwest Territories (Yellowknife Region) – 19.10
Nova Scotia – 17.88
Nunavut – 22.76
Ontario – 16.50
Prince Edward Island – 16.50
Quebec – 14.50
Saskatchewan – 17.00
Yukon – 19.89
Resource: Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations (NOC 4412-C)
As you have noticed, the salary of caregivers for seniors and persons with disabilities classified as NOC 4412 is higher than NOC 4411.
This high-wage position comes with health-related duties and advanced educational and experience requirements.
What Caregiver Job Should You Choose
Regardless of wherever you are coming from, your skills and experience will determine what type of caregiver jobs you should choose, then you can choose the province with salary that you prefer.
For some, the goal is to find a job regardless of the wage which I’m not saying is wrong.
In the long run, it’s the worker-client relationship that matters the most. Caregiving is another job until you get to experience it and realize that it requires all your energy (mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually).
Find the job that is rewarding not just in terms of monetary compensation. Be in the environment on which you can provide care while also taking care of yourself.
Canadian Taxes
Here’s the part where we’ll start the Canadian personal finance 101. I couldn’t just leave you with data about the caregiver salary in Canada.
You should learn more than that. Stick around and I promised NOT to overwhelm you with information. (If I did, just think that I have your best interest in mind.)
It is a common knowledge that the more you earn the more taxes you have to pay.
| Province/Territory | Provincial Tax | Federal Tax | Total Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 10% | 15% | 5% GST |
| British Columbia | 5.06% | 15% | 12% GST+PST |
| Manitoba | 10.8% | 15% | 13% GST+PST |
| New Brunswick | 9.68% | 15% | 15% HST |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 8.7% | 15% | 15% HST |
| Northwest Territories | 5.9% | 15% | 5% GST |
| Nova Scotia | 8.79% | 15% | 15% HST |
| Nunavut | 4% | 15% | 5% GST |
| Ontario | 5.05% | 15% | 13% HST |
| Prince Edward Island | 9.8% | 15% | 15% HST |
| Quebec | 16% | 15% | 14.975% GST + QST |
| Saskatchewan | 11% | 15% | 10% GST+PST |
| Yukon | 6.4% | 15% | 5% GST |
The Canadian taxes include federal and provincial. Just like in the caregiver salary in Canada the taxes vary in different provinces.
The gross income minus the taxes and other deductions (we’ll discuss that in payslip) is equal to net income.
Whatever is the after-tax income is then subjected to sales tax. The more you spend the more sales tax you pay which can be one or combination of the following:
- Goods and Services Tax (GST)
- Harmonized Sales Tax (GST)
- Provincial Sales Tax (PST)
Based on the table Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut have the lowest tax rate. The residents only pay %5 for GST.
The Retail Council of Canada has the updated rates in case you want to know what are the type of sales taxes are implemented across Canada.
Understanding the Payslip and Other Deductions
In the end the keepsakes that you will have from a salary are receipts and payslips. (And a question “Where did my money go?”)
Every payday, whether biweekly or monthly, caregivers receive a payslip. If not ask your employer for a copy.
It is important to understand the payslip. Otherwise you’ll have the misconception that much of the hard-earned money goes into paying the tax so what’s the point of working more hours?
You are not just a taxpayer; you are saving for retirement as well. Apart from paying the taxes the following deductions will help you in the future:
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
- Employee – 5.10%
- Employer – 5.10%
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Employee – 1.62%
- Employer – 1.4 x employee’s EI
Resource: CPP rate, EI rate, and CPP enhancement
The CPP is the monthly pension of a retiree as early as 60 years old. The pension depends on the contribution and duration of work. While the EI comes in handy in job loss and other benefits.
Of course apart from the forced savings known as deductions, you should also save and invest your hard-earned money for education, house, or whatever financial goal you have in mind.
Ever wonder how does the employer or the accountant or the employer who is also an accountant able to produce a payslip?
The Payroll Deductions Online Calculator is accessible by everyone. You can use it to determine how much will be your net income for a duration of work.
On the other hand, employers use the calculator to produce payslips (employee and employer) and use the information to fill up the remittance slip and pay the taxes and deductions.
Final Thoughts
At first I just wanted to write about the caregiver salary in Canada and be done with it but there’s a lot going on in a single payslip.
Wherever you choose to look after a child or an elderly for whatever rate, give value to your work.
Know that you are worth more than the compensation because you’ve chosen a noble job. You’ll need this reminder once you are out there.
While doing your duty, protect your rights at the same time. It’s not one way or the other.
If there’s anything that confuses you, let me know in the comment.
For Further Reading:
- Canadian Tax Brackets: Marginal Tax vs Average Tax
- Canada Revenue Agency – All Rates
- Labour Standards in Canada
- Temporary Foreign Workers Rights
Hello… just wanted to tell you that while this info may be a help to prospective immigrants or temporary workers the section on Canadian taxes is completely misleading. Yes the line that says the more you earn the more taxes you pay … but then you go into SALES tax.
That has nothing to do with deductions from your pay. That is only applicable when buying goods and has nothing to do with income. That info is correct, I assume because we do have those taxes but that isn’t what is deducted from your earnings.
I agree with you Len. I had to mentioned sales tax so that immigrants can assess how much they can earn and spend on goods (with sales tax) depending on the province. This is the factor of living in Canada that newcomers later on realize especially if they want to own a house which can be pricey in top known cities.
Hi Carolyn!
I am so grateful to have found your blogs. It’s really helpful. I am currently researching for these kind of informations because i am planning to apply as caregiver this coming April right after my graduation in Caregiving NC II here in Cagayan de Oro. I planned to apply directly without an agency because I can’t afford it. That is why i need some advices from people like you. Thank you so much!
Sincerely,
Charisse
Hello Carolyn,
Thank you for being generous with your experiences and advice. You are very helpful to people planning to come to Canada. Would you have any advice on how my 23 year old son in the philippines can come to Canada? He was a university graduate in IT and is currently working. He is single. We tried to apply for visitor Visa but he got denied 2x. We’re now looking at applying for a program in university here like an advance study in IT.
Could you give me an insight on his to go about this process?
Thank you in advance and God bless your good heart.
Anna Ferrer
Work experience is a huge factor in finding a job in Canada. For now, he could answer this questionnaire to see what are the options based on his education and work background. You could also check the provincial nominee program in different provinces in Canada. The process varies for each province. And there’s also the Express Entry. For now, it would be best for you and your son to gather as much information and to save funds; both of which will help a newcomer start on the right track. Good luck to your son Anna and kudos for doing the research.
With regard to wages, some employers do not even issue pay slips and do not follow the rate stated in the contract. This is the problem of most caregivers here in Ontario. They just keep their mouth shut because of the fear of losing the job.
That’s a sad fact Chen and it doesn’t only happen in Ontario. That’s why I wrote this blog post to help the caregivers understand their payslips and rights. With the near deadline of the 2 pathways for caregiver in November 29, 2019, caregivers’ utmost concern is to complete the 24-month employment to qualify for permanent residency to the point of disregarding unjust treatment. I hope a better caregiver program will be implemented in the future. May there be more concerned citizen like you Chen who speaks up about the plight of caregivers.
I’m starting to consider caregiving there in Canada, I have relatives there. I was offered to an idea to study caregiving here so that I would be able to work there (my relative said it’s more easier daw through caregiving) 3 years ago. I’m sure a lot of things have changed since then, I just want to ask if there are any changes in the process, and if it is more complicated now? Just want any update on the current process. Thank You!
Jessica before you pursue a caregiver course, read the post about the 2 pathways for caregiver that will end in November 29, 2019. It is not yet sure of what will happen after the program ends. There have been many changes in the past; that includes the closing of Live-in Caregiver Program and the same thing is about to happen for the 2 pathways for caregiver.
I am 25 and I’m thinking of working as a caregiver in Canada. Since I was 20 after I graduate college I’ve been away from my family; I miss them but I am already used to it. I’m introvert as well. Question, while working as a caregiver is there a chance for me to study further or attend classes which can help me in the future if i decided to stop as a caregiver and decided to work on a different field. Thank you
You can take classes while working as a caregiver but you have to check what are the allowable units. The best time to study any course is after you get an open work permit. And once you become a permanent resident, you are qualified for a provincial student loan and other types of loans for immigrants/newcomers.
Hi I would like to ask po if how much ang net income ng live in caregiver or live out caregiver in a year? Thanks po
It varies in different provinces. It would be easier to get the gross income which exclude taxes, CPP, EI, and other deductibles.
Estimate: Gross Income = ((rate per hour X work hours per week) X (4 weeks)) X 12 months
Note: Work hours per week may be equal to 40 hours = (8 hours per day) X 5 days
Hi! I’m so happy na nakita ko yung blog na to. Since i have so many questions kasi I’m planning po talaga na pumunta ng canada. I’m a registered nurse and currently working sa Abu Dhabi. I already talked to some agencies sa Philippines to help me. Mam any recommendations if mas maganda ba mag agency or sariling sikap? Thank you very much po.
The important question Aimeee is do you already have an employer? If so, you and the employer can do all the paper works since everything is available on the CIC’s website. And is your employer willing to do all task of processing and gathering documents? Another solution is, the employer will hire an agency to do all the work. In my experience, my employer and I did the task required on our part on our own. It went well so here I am blogging. Good luck to you Aimeee. Let us know if you found an agency etc.
Hi Po want to know po after 6 mos course sa TESDA ilang oras naman po yung training?
I don’t think there’s a caregiver course in TESDA Hans. But as regards to caregiver course, the OJT comes after the in-class course and you have to inquire in the school about the program. The OJT can last for more than a week when I was still a student.
Hi Carolyn,
Are you really a Nanny, or an immigration consultant? You could also pass for an accountant. You sound so smart in your posts. They are comprehensive and very informative, written in a manner that is easy to understand plus it contains a little (witty funny) punch here and there that totally makes sense. Please continue to write about your experiences here in Canada you are sure helping a lot of ‘Canadian dream hopefuls’ and also those that are already here but still trying to weather the odds of living far away from our dear motherland. Mabuhay ka and all the best to your undertakings here in Canada.
Thank you,
Orange
P.S. I see you are from Calgary, is it possible for us to be friends? 🙂
Hi Orange. Thanks for the uplifting, constructive feedback. 🙂 First, I’m not a nanny anymore. The experience immensely influenced my writings especially for caregivers. I’ll continue to write to pay it forward to the newcomers from all walks of life. And I’m not an accountant nor a consultant but I’m a personal finance nerd learning from fellow bloggers. (In short, I’m certified masinop.)
The blog is here to stay. (Unless the server is down.) I’ll keep on writing post maybe not as often (because I have other blogs to focus on) but you’ll see updates every now and then. So stay up-to-date. I love to receive messages from our kababayan or anyone who has questions or suggestions (event, food, and of course Netflix documentary like “What the Health”) so keep those messages coming. I’m also on Facebook and Twitter if you’re into social media.
Salamat. Gracias. Merci.