Maple News reports a significant contrast in wage trends between new immigrants and the general Canadian workforce, according to recent data from Statistics Canada released on December 9, 2024. Between 2021 and 2022, the real median entry wage for newcomers rose by 6.7%, while overall real wages for Canadian workers declined by 1.6% after adjusting for inflation. Specifically, new immigrants earned a median wage of $42,900 in 2022, up from $40,200 the previous year.
These figures reflect real wages, meaning they are adjusted to account for inflation—a critical factor amid recent economic volatility. While Canadians have seen their purchasing power eroded, newcomers appear to be making substantial financial progress in their first year of integration.
When broken down by immigration categories, the data presents a more nuanced picture. Immigrants admitted via the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) achieved the largest wage increase, climbing from a median of $52,000 in 2021 to $56,400 in 2022. Slight wage increases were also noted among caregivers and provincial/territorial nominees.
On the other hand, those entering through business programs saw a notable decline, from $27,600 to $24,500. Similarly, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) immigrants experienced a steep drop in wages—from $68,300 in 2021 to $56,400 in 2022. This decline is attributed to a surge in CEC admissions, which increased from 25,000 in 2020 to 130,000 in 2021. The influx led to less competitive Express Entry draws, allowing lower-scoring candidates to receive invitations—many of whom may have had less experience or lower levels of education, contributing to the wage decrease.
These trends highlight the complexity of Canada’s economic immigration landscape. Maple News notes that while Canada continues to benefit from the economic contributions of newcomers, the outcomes vary significantly depending on the immigration pathway.
Overall, the data suggests that, despite economic uncertainty and inflationary pressures, Canada’s immigration system is still enabling a large share of newcomers to achieve upward economic mobility within their first year.
As Canadian employers continue to face a tight labor market, especially in skilled trades and specialized professions, immigrants with targeted skills appear to be filling vital gaps and reaping financial rewards.