harness our 2025 salary insights to recruit and retain top talent in HR
The Canadian hiring landscape presents a complex paradox of high unemployment and persistent demand for talent in key sectors. Add to this the rapid advancement of technology and tightening regulatory requirements, and it's clear that today's human resources professionals must master both compliance frameworks and AI-powered tools.
the challenges shaping canadian human resources
The role of HR has become more strategic than ever, requiring agility and foresight to manage a market defined by uncertainty.
- A complex labor market: Despite Canada's unemployment rate rising to 6.9% in July 2025, many organizations still expect workforce growth. This, coupled with high youth unemployment, is leading to an influx of job applications, necessitating more efficient screening processes.
- Compliance meets innovation: HR teams face new regulations like stricter work permits and privacy standards (Bill C-27). Technology provides solutions, with 73% of Canadian HR departments adopting digital transformation. The key is upskilling teams to use these tools effectively.
- Weathering the economic storm: Geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions have affected business confidence, leading to a decline in entry-level hiring. Companies now prioritize mid-level employees who offer immediate value, necessitating new workforce planning and talent acquisition strategies.
prepare to uncover
- how to attract top HR talent in a competitive Canadian job market
- how current compensation trends will influence your recruitment strategy
- what impact local salary trends have on the human resources sector today
Our 2026 human resources salary guide is the essential resource for navigating these challenges, providing the data and strategies you need to build a resilient, agile, and effective workforce.
what you'll uncover in our 2026 salary guide
Our comprehensive guide compiles data from a wide range of HR and recruiting roles to give you a detailed view of the evolving Canadian market. Inside, you will find:
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in-demand job market data
Get a granular look at national and regional salary averages for the most sought-after roles, including:
- HRIS analyst
- benefits administrator
- human resources coordinator
- labour relations advisor
- total rewards manager
- dei (diversity, equity, and inclusion) manager
- hr generalist
- payroll specialist
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analysis and trends for the year ahead
Beyond the numbers, our guide provides strategic insights into the factors that will drive hiring and retention in 2026.
- Strategic AI adoption: Learn how to bridge the disconnect between the growing use of AI in HR systems and your team's skills. With only 19% of HR professionals regularly using AI, our guide provides strategies to help your team leverage these technologies to streamline processes and focus on strategic priorities.
- Building a resilient workforce: The guide explores flexible staffing approaches like temp-to-perm hiring, cross-training, and reskilling to build resilience against economic shocks and regulatory changes. This is a critical strategy for maintaining business momentum while adapting to rapid shifts in the market.
- Navigating regulatory complexity: We provide an overview of the most critical compliance challenges, from the shifting rules on independent contractor classification to new privacy regulations. The guide highlights why agility and robust risk management skills are essential for HR professionals in 2026.
Our guide features contributions from industry experts, offering a comprehensive view of the current and future landscape of HR compensation in Canada. By understanding these trends, you can build an agile and effective team that will thrive in 2026.
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