Portfolio Group 
Portfolio Payroll 
Portfolio HR & Reward 
Portfolio Credit Control 
Portfolio Procurement 
The definitive Payroll Canada Salary Guide
Second Edition | Featuring insights from the National Payroll Institute
With payroll teams playing a more strategic role and candidate expectations shifting rapidly, the second edition of the Canada Payroll Salary Guide from Portfolio Payroll Canada delivers vital data and analysis for employers navigating today’s complex hiring landscape.
This comprehensive, data-driven guide is based on survey responses from over 820 payroll professionals nationwide, combined with real-time market intelligence from our recruitment teams and expert commentary from the National Payroll Institute.
Whether you are hiring, budgeting, or benchmarking your own compensation, this guide offers an accurate, detailed view of pay, benefits, working models, and recruitment trends across the Canadian payroll profession.
What’s in the Canada Payroll Salary Survey:
- Role-by-role salary benchmarks across all provinces – Includes high, low, and average base salaries from Payroll Administrator through to Head of Payroll. Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta remain the highest-paying regions.
- In-demand skills and where the market is hiring – Seventy-four percent of employers plan to hire in the next three months, while standalone payroll roles now account for 35 percent of the market. Mid-level talent is in increasingly short supply.
- Remote and hybrid working insights – Forty-one percent of payroll professionals are now hybrid, and 43 percent say they would never return to a fully office-based role. Flexibility ranks just behind salary as a top motivator.
- Trends in benefits, bonuses, and employee expectations – Eighty-three percent of professionals want more flexible vacation options. Paid tuition, additional leave, and hybrid arrangements are now essential to attract and retain top talent.
Whether you are an employer looking to retain talent, expand your team, or improve your hiring outcomes, or a payroll professional assessing your market value, this guide is your go-to resource.
Our in-depth analysis enables you to benchmark salaries with confidence, assess total reward packages, and understand how working patterns and candidate priorities are shifting across the country.
Designed to support decision-making at every level, the Canada Payroll Salary Guide 2025/26 provides clarity, context, and competitive insight in a fast-changing market.
Download your copy of the 2025/26 guide
Looking to hire?
We recruit permanent and contract payroll professionals across Canada, from entry-level specialists to executive leaders. Contact us today to access the strongest payroll talent on the market.
Complete the form to get your free copy
Latest jobs
Role: Senior Payroll Specialist Location: Downtown Toronto (accessible by transit) Our client in the financial space is seeking to hire an experienced UKG senior payroll specialist to join their team. Reporting to the Senior Payroll Manager the id...
View job & applyRole: Payroll Specialist Location: fully remote The Payroll Specialist will be responsible for processing and administering payroll for multiple clients as part of outsourced payroll mandates. This role requires strong payroll knowledge, an unders...
View job & applyRole: Payroll Specialist Location: Etobicoke (5 days onsite) Our client in the manufacturing / pharma space is looking to hire an experienced A-Z payroll professional to join the organization Overview: reporting to the HR Payroll Manager hands on ...
View job & applyBilingual Payroll Specialist (English/French) Location: Fully Remote About the Role We are looking for a detail-oriented and service-driven Bilingual Payroll Specialist to join a dynamic payroll team. This role is responsible for full-cycle payrol...
View job & applyPayroll Specialist Location: Toronto, ON (Hybrid – 1-2 days onsite) About the Role We are seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist with strong UKG experience to join a growing payroll team. This role is responsible for end-to-end payroll...
View job & applyPayroll Manager / Payroll Lead About the Role This position is responsible for overseeing payroll operations and supervising assigned staff to ensure accurate and timely employee payments. The role also supports the development and maintenance of ...
View job & applyPayroll Specialist Department: Payroll Reports To: Director – Payroll Practice Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent Language Requirement: French and English required, professional level Certification Required: PCP certification from the Natio...
View job & applyBilingual Payroll Coordinator (English/French) Location: Fully Remote (Canada-based) Salary: Competitive, based on experience Experience Level: 3-5 years About the Role We’re looking for a detail-oriented and service-driven Bilingual Payroll...
View job & applyBilingual Payroll Coordinator (English/French) Location: Fully Remote (Canada-based) Salary: Competitive, based on experience Experience Level: 3-5 years About the Role We’re looking for a detail-oriented and service-driven Bilingual Payroll...
View job & applyRole: HRIS Analyst Duration: Permanent Location: Downtown Toronto (1-2 days onsite) Our client in the mining and development space is actively seeking an experienced Dayforce systems analyst to join their People Operations team to support their HR...
View job & apply