The Definitive 2026 Overview
HandsHR Salary Survey Guide 2026
Get the industry insider’s view on jobs and hiring. Welcome to the HandsHR 2026 Salary Guide. Get the most comprehensive overview of 2026 salaries and hiring trends across Canada.
Get the industry insider's view on jobs and hiring.
Welcome to the HandsHR 2026 Salary Guide. Get the most comprehensive overview of 2026 salaries and hiring trends across Canada.
Knowledge is power.
The HandsHR Salary Survey is free and based on the analysis of placements made across Canada, combined with data from over 460 Canadian employers and nationwide labor force statistics.
Why Download the HandsHR Salary Guide?
The Canadian jobs market is constantly moving, and HandsHR has the inside knowledge. We don’t just help you keep up; we make sure you stay one step ahead.
Our Salary Survey is your definitive guide to what’s happening in your industry and where it’s heading next. We arm you with the facts and analysis to:
- Take bold decisions regarding your workforce or career.
- Fine-tune the next steps in your career search.
- Outsmart your competition when it comes to talent attraction and retention.
What’s Inside: Informed by real-world market data from Toronto to Vancouver, our survey leaves no stone unturned to reveal:
- Trends to watch in your specific sector.
- In-demand skillsets that employers are hunting for.
- Salary and pay rate expectations for the coming year.
Compensation and benefits benchmarking data.
Key 2026 Market Insights
Here is a snapshot of the current Canadian landscape based on 2026 projections:
- 80% of professionals say they are ready to negotiate their salary this year.
- 3.1% is the average projected base salary increase for 2026, dropping slightly from 2025.
- 66% of organizations anticipate the economy will significantly impact their compensation decisions.
- 3.4% of Canadians (aged 25-54) have been out of work for longer than six months, highlighting a competitive market.
- Skill Shortages persist in healthcare, technology, and skilled trades despite softer hiring volumes.
Download the Salary Survey
of businesses are giving pay rises in 2026
of professionals are looking for a new job in 2026
Average tenure of professionals
of professionals are confident about job opportunities in their sector
Enhance your compensation strategy with Market Intelligence services
Drive successful talent acquisition and retention with our data-driven insights. Achieve workforce diversity, team growth, and strategic relocations with confidence. Our expert team delivers precise salary and benefits benchmarking, talent and market mapping, and competitor analysis to elevate your hiring strategy.
For Employers: Access the Full Hiring Guide
If you are growing your team or simply need to retain the talent you have, the HandsHR Salary Survey gives you the insights you need to have the right team in place to keep your business moving forward.
- Navigate Legislation: Understand how new Pay Transparency laws in BC and Ontario affect your hiring and reporting.
- Achieve growth: Support workforce diversity, team growth, and strategic relocations with confidence.
- Benchmarking: Get precise salary and benefits benchmarking to ensure you aren’t losing talent to competitors in high-demand sectors like High Tech and Chemicals.
For Candidates: Compare Your Salary
Whether you are looking for a new role or preparing for your end-of-year appraisal, the HandsHR Salary Survey will arm you with everything you need to know to get what you deserve.
- Know your worth: Access up-to-date salary or contract rate data.
- Drill down: Use our tools to look at the sectors, roles, and stats that matter specifically to you.
HandsHR Outlook: What to Expect in 2026
A Year of Cautious Optimism 2026 is set to be a year of transition. As businesses grapple with stabilizing inflation and trade uncertainties, the implementation of Pay Transparency legislation across multiple provinces is modifying workplace regulations.
- Sector Optimism: While general budgets remain conservative, sectors such as High Tech and Chemicals are driving hiring optimism, with projected total increases reaching up to 4.0% in these fields.
- Evolving Skills: In-demand skills are evolving at speed. AI and automation skills are now a priority, though many employers report AI is not yet replacing headcount but rather changing role requirements.
- Uneven Wage Inflation: Wage inflation will remain uneven. While the national average increase is ~3.1%–3.3%, shortages of experienced talent in Skilled Trades and Healthcare will drive higher increases, while other areas may see stagnation.
- The Flexibility Debate: The debate around flexible working persists. Hybrid work remains a strong preference, and striking this balance is essential for engagement as employers focus on retention.
- Strategic Retention: With constrained budgets, refining Employee Value Propositions (EVPs) is vital. Retention is critical, as employers shift from “hiring volume” to “hiring alignment” and internal mobility.
Conclusion Forward-thinking organizations will prioritize innovation and adaptability. Success in 2026 depends on an organization’s ability to embrace change, stay agile, and build diverse, future-ready teams.
A full range of Talent Services...
Recruiting
At Hands HR, we specialize in finding exceptional talent that matches your organization's unique requirements.
Onboarding
Smooth and effective onboarding is crucial to ensure new hires feel valued, integrated, and productive from day one.
Labor and Human Relation
Navigating the complexities of labor and human relations can be a significant challenge for any organization.
GMP Training
In industries where adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is critical, training your employees is paramount.
Full-Time Placements
Finding the right full-time employees who align with your organization's goals and values can be a daunting task.
Payroll and Administration
Handling payroll and administration tasks can be time-consuming and complex, diverting your attention.
"It's all about the people."
- Kamran Tariq, CEO Hands HR
We put our people first, so our people go further. Join our team at Hands HR and together we’ll go way beyond above and beyond.
Our recruitment process takes 2 hours -1 day Depending on the positions
Step 01
Getting Requirements
Whether we initiate contact with you or you reach out to us
Step 02
Screening Candidates
Background checks and other certificates as required
Step 03
Final Interview
Reviewing the candidate with our recruitment team and yourself
Step 04
Placing The Candidate
Within 6 hours notice and last-minute acceptance
Our Clients
