Canada’s Updated 2025 Prevailing Wage Data: What Employers & Foreign Workers Need to Know

In November 2025, the Government of Canada released its updated prevailing wage (median wage) data — the benchmark employers must use when hiring foreign workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or employer-driven immigration pathways such as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

This annual update affects every LMIA-supported job offer, many LMIA-exempt work permits, and the day-to-day compliance responsibilities of Canadian employers.

The new prevailing wages are now officially published on Job Bank, Canada’s national labour-market website.

For immigration applicants, this update can influence job-offer eligibility, application timing, and the feasibility of in-demand immigration pathways like LMIA High-Wage, Low-Wage Stream, PNP Job Offer Categories, RCIP, and more.



What Are Prevailing Wages & Why Are They Important?

Prevailing wages (also called median wages) represent the standard wage paid to Canadian workers in the same occupation and region.

Employers must meet or exceed this wage to:

• Hire a foreign worker through an LMIA
• Support a permanent residence application
• Renew existing foreign worker work permits (for LMIA-based roles)
• Maintain compliance with Canadian labour regulations

Failing to follow these wage rules can lead to LMIA refusals, work-permit refusals, audits, and employer penalties.

Key 2025 Changes Employers Need to Know

1. New Prevailing Wages Come Into Force Immediately

Employers must immediately adjust wage offers for any new LMIA or PNP job-support applications.

If a job posting or offer letter lists an outdated wage, it must be updated before submission. Applications that were already submitted before the wage update will continue to be assessed based on the wage requirements in place at the time of submission. However, any revisions, employer corrections, or resubmissions requested by ESDC may require employers to update the wage to meet the new 2025 median rates.

2. Annual Wage Review Required for Workers Already Hired

Employers who hired foreign workers with LMIAs issued in January 2024 or later are required to review and increase wages annuallyso that they remain aligned with updated median wages.

3. LMIA-Exempt Workers Are Also Affected in Some Categories

Some LMIA-exempt pathways require wage parity, including:

• Intra-Company Transferees (ICT – specialized knowledge)
• Francophone Mobility (sometimes employer-provided wage review)
• Certain PNPs requiring wage meeting the regional median

4. Employer Compliance Monitoring Is Increasing

ESDC is now conducting more employer audits focusing on:

• Wage accuracy
• Correct NOC classification
• Pay increases after prevailing wage updates
• Accuracy of job duties vs LMIA application

How These Changes Affect Immigration Pathways

For Employers

• Higher wage thresholds may increase labour costs
• Some job offers may no longer qualify
• More employers may shift toward LMIA-exempt options

For Foreign Workers

• Some job offers may be withdrawn or delayed if the employer cannot meet new wages
• Because employers in high-demand sectors must now align with the new median wages, many positions may offer improved compensation compared to previous years, creating more competitive and attractive opportunities for qualified applicants.
• Applications with insufficient wages will be refused
  
  

2025 Prevailing Wage Table (Province-by-Province Median Hourly Wages)

Note:

• Employers hiring through the LMIA High-Wage Stream must pay at least the median wage for the occupation.
• If an occupation shows “N/A” for regional wages, the provincial median applies.
• Actual NOC-specific wages vary; employers must check the Job Bank tool directly.

How iCA Immigration & Talent Services Helps Employers & Applicants

At iCA Immigration (Sault Ste. Marie, ON), we support both employers and candidates in navigating wage updates and LMIA requirements.

For Employers

• Verify the correct NOC median wage for your region
• Draft compliant job descriptions and job offers
• Prepare LMIA applications for High-Wage & Low-Wage streams
• We inform employers of wage changes each year and guide them on how to keep their job offers compliant with updated federal requirements.
• Assist with PNP and RCIP job-offer wage requirements
• Help restructure recruitment strategies to stay compliant

For Foreign Worker Applicants

• Review job offers to ensure they meet 2025 wage requirements
• Prepare complete LMIA-based work permit applications
• Provide guidance on how wage changes affect PR pathways
• Connect eligible candidates with employers in RCIP communities

 iCA ensures both employers and applicants avoid refusals due to wage non-compliance.

What This Update Means Overall — iCA’s Final Analysis

The updated 2025 prevailing wages reflect Canada’s ongoing effort to:

• Protect Canadian workers
• Prevent wage suppression
• Ensure fair treatment of foreign workers
• Maintain labour-market stability

While the increases create added pressure for employers, they also improve fairness and transparency in the hiring process.

For applicants, stronger wage standards may lead to improved working conditions and better long-term prospects for Permanent Residence.

With expert guidance from iCA Immigration, both employers and foreign workers can smoothly adapt to these changes and stay fully compliant with Canadian regulations.

References:

1. Government of Canada – Job Bank (Median Wage Finder):
   https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis/search-wages
2. ESDC – Temporary Foreign Worker Program Wage Requirements:
   https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/median-wage.html
3. ESDC – LMIA Program Requirements and Employer Compliance:
   https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers.html