Wages and salaries 19 per cent lower in Ontario compared to Michigan

TORONTO—The median employment earnings—wages, salaries and self-employment income—of workers were lower in Ontario than in every state in the United States, finds a new study published today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

“Ontarian workers earn less compared to American workers, including all bordering states such as Michigan,” said Alex Whalen, senior policy analyst at the Fraser Institute and co-author of Our Incomes Are Falling Behind: Earnings in the Canadian Provinces and U.S. States, 2010-2022.

Specifically, in Ontario, median employment earnings in 2022 (the latest year of available data), stated in Canadian dollars, were $36,749, lagging behind every U.S. state including Mississippi ($42,430) and Michigan ($45,410).

In fact, compared to neighbouring Michigan, median employment earnings were $8,661 (or 19.1 per cent) lower in Ontario.

In addition to all 50 states, two provinces—British Columbia ($37,801) and Alberta ($38,969)—had higher median employment earnings than Ontario in 2022.

Consequently, in 2022 Ontario ranked 53^rd out of 60 provinces and U.S. states for median employment earnings.

“Ontarians should want to know why workers in states such as Michigan and Mississippi make more money than workers here at home,” Whalen said.

“In light of the close connection between incomes and living standards, policymakers in Ontario should make economic growth a top priority.”

Media Contact:
Alex Whalen, Senior Policy Analyst, Fraser Institute

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Mark Hasiuk, Senior Media Relations Specialist,
604-688-0221 ext. 517
mark.hasiuk@fraserinstitute.org