Maple News reports that newly arrived immigrants to Canada earned the highest median entry wage on record in 2018, marking a significant milestone in Canada’s immigration and labor market trends. According to recent data released by Statistics Canada, immigrants who were admitted in 2017 reported a median income of $30,100 in 2018—surpassing the previous record of $26,500 set the year before.
While Canadian-born workers still held a higher median entry wage of $37,400, the gap narrowed notably. Particularly striking were the figures for immigrants who had prior work or study experience in Canada. Those with both a work and study permit before becoming permanent residents reported a median income of $44,000—well above the national figure for both immigrants and Canadian-born workers. Similarly, those with only a work permit averaged $39,100.
Pre-admission exposure to Canada’s labor and academic environments appears to play an influential role in boosting immigrant outcomes. Experience in Canada helped newcomers develop local language skills, understand workplace norms, and adapt more swiftly to the job market. These factors make them more attractive to employers and enhance their earning potential.
The report also showed that certain personal and socioeconomic characteristics—such as high proficiency in English or French, pre-immigration professional experience, and admission through economic immigration streams—were strong indicators of higher earnings.
Post-arrival settlement patterns further highlighted the stability and integration of new immigrants. Roughly 87% of immigrants remained in their initial province of landing after five years, and this high retention rate remained consistent even a decade later. Ontario led the way in provincial retention, with Alberta and British Columbia close behind.
Interestingly, long-term earnings and wage growth varied significantly by country of origin. Economic immigrants from the U.S., U.K., and Brazil had the highest median wages a decade after arrival, while individuals from Iran, Egypt, and Algeria experienced the greatest wage growth over the same timeframe.
Overall, these findings underscore the importance of targeted immigration policies and settlement programs that support pre-admission Canadian experience. It also reflects the growing economic contributions of immigrants to Canada’s labor force—a trend expected to strengthen as Canada ramps up its immigration targets in the coming years.