Victoria indicators

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All measures Cost of living

Median wages after inflation

Area: Greater Victoria (CMA) Calendar year 2023

$53,720 median, a year

In a yearAbout the same+3.6%, within ±5%
In 5 years Better+18.7% since 2018

No target expected. This is a context measure. Pay is set by employers and workers. The Province sets the minimum wage, which is a floor for pay, not a target for typical wages. B.C. $49,300. Targets and comparisons

Source: Statistics Canada (calculated here). We read it on Nov 12, 2026.

Check this numberOpen the first source (agency site)

Over time

Time range

Median wages, as reported and in 2023 dollars

2023 A year, by year

  • As reported $53,720
  • In 2023 dollars (after inflation) $53,720
Line chart of 2 lines, 6 periods from 2018 to 2023. As reported: starts at $38,440 a year (2018), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $38,440 a year (2018). In 2023 dollars (after inflation): starts at $45,249 a year (2018), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $45,249 a year (2018). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: Provincial election: Oct 24, 2020. Every value is in the table.$0$20,000$40,000$60,000202320212019Provincial election, Oct 24, 20202018: As reported: $38,440 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,249 a year2019: As reported: $39,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,632 a year2020: As reported: $44,520 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $50,597 a year2021: As reported: $48,120 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,379 a year2022: As reported: $50,000 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $51,854 a year2023: As reported: $53,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,720 a year
Line chart of 2 lines, 6 periods from 2018 to 2023. As reported: starts at $38,440 a year (2018), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $38,440 a year (2018). In 2023 dollars (after inflation): starts at $45,249 a year (2018), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $45,249 a year (2018). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: Provincial election: Oct 24, 2020. Every value is in the table.$0$20,000$40,000$60,000202320212019Provincial election, Oct 24, 20202018: As reported: $38,440 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,249 a year2019: As reported: $39,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,632 a year2020: As reported: $44,520 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $50,597 a year2021: As reported: $48,120 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,379 a year2022: As reported: $50,000 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $51,854 a year2023: As reported: $53,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,720 a year
Line chart of 2 lines, 6 periods from 2018 to 2023. As reported: starts at $38,440 a year (2018), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $38,440 a year (2018). In 2023 dollars (after inflation): starts at $45,249 a year (2018), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $45,249 a year (2018). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: Provincial election: Oct 24, 2020. Every value is in the table.$0$20,000$40,000$60,000202320222021202020192018Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020In 2023 dollars(afterinflation)$53,720As reported$53,7202018: As reported: $38,440 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,249 a year2019: As reported: $39,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,632 a year2020: As reported: $44,520 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $50,597 a year2021: As reported: $48,120 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,379 a year2022: As reported: $50,000 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $51,854 a year2023: As reported: $53,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,720 a year
Line chart of 2 lines, 6 periods from 2018 to 2023. As reported: starts at $38,440 a year (2018), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $38,440 a year (2018). In 2023 dollars (after inflation): starts at $45,249 a year (2018), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $45,249 a year (2018). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: Provincial election: Oct 24, 2020. Every value is in the table.$0$20,000$40,000$60,000202320222021202020192018Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020In 2023 dollars (afterinflation) $53,720As reported $53,7202018: As reported: $38,440 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,249 a year2019: As reported: $39,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,632 a year2020: As reported: $44,520 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $50,597 a year2021: As reported: $48,120 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,379 a year2022: As reported: $50,000 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $51,854 a year2023: As reported: $53,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,720 a year

Tap or drag on the chart to read any year.

P provincial election: Oct 24, 2020

About these ticks

Median wages, as reported and in 2023 dollars

2023 A year, by year

  • As reported $53,720
  • In 2023 dollars (after inflation) $53,720
Line chart of 2 lines, 7 periods from 2017 to 2023. As reported: starts at $36,760 a year (2017), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $36,760 a year (2017). In 2023 dollars (after inflation): starts at $44,291 a year (2017), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $44,291 a year (2017). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: Provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020. Every value is in the table.$0$20,000$40,000$60,000202320202017Provincial election, May 9, 2017Provincial election, Oct 24, 20202017: As reported: $36,760 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $44,291 a year2018: As reported: $38,440 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,249 a year2019: As reported: $39,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,632 a year2020: As reported: $44,520 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $50,597 a year2021: As reported: $48,120 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,379 a year2022: As reported: $50,000 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $51,854 a year2023: As reported: $53,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,720 a year
Line chart of 2 lines, 7 periods from 2017 to 2023. As reported: starts at $36,760 a year (2017), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $36,760 a year (2017). In 2023 dollars (after inflation): starts at $44,291 a year (2017), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $44,291 a year (2017). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: Provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020. Every value is in the table.$0$20,000$40,000$60,0002023202120192017Provincial election, May 9, 2017Provincial election, Oct 24, 20202017: As reported: $36,760 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $44,291 a year2018: As reported: $38,440 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,249 a year2019: As reported: $39,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,632 a year2020: As reported: $44,520 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $50,597 a year2021: As reported: $48,120 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,379 a year2022: As reported: $50,000 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $51,854 a year2023: As reported: $53,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,720 a year
Line chart of 2 lines, 7 periods from 2017 to 2023. As reported: starts at $36,760 a year (2017), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $36,760 a year (2017). In 2023 dollars (after inflation): starts at $44,291 a year (2017), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $44,291 a year (2017). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: Provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020. Every value is in the table.$0$20,000$40,000$60,0002023202120192017Provincial election, May 9, 2017Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020In 2023 dollars(afterinflation)$53,720As reported$53,7202017: As reported: $36,760 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $44,291 a year2018: As reported: $38,440 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,249 a year2019: As reported: $39,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,632 a year2020: As reported: $44,520 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $50,597 a year2021: As reported: $48,120 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,379 a year2022: As reported: $50,000 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $51,854 a year2023: As reported: $53,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,720 a year
Line chart of 2 lines, 7 periods from 2017 to 2023. As reported: starts at $36,760 a year (2017), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $36,760 a year (2017). In 2023 dollars (after inflation): starts at $44,291 a year (2017), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $44,291 a year (2017). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: Provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020. Every value is in the table.$0$20,000$40,000$60,0002023202220212020201920182017Provincial election, May 9, 2017Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020In 2023 dollars (afterinflation) $53,720As reported $53,7202017: As reported: $36,760 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $44,291 a year2018: As reported: $38,440 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,249 a year2019: As reported: $39,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $45,632 a year2020: As reported: $44,520 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $50,597 a year2021: As reported: $48,120 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,379 a year2022: As reported: $50,000 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $51,854 a year2023: As reported: $53,720 a year; In 2023 dollars (after inflation): $53,720 a year

Tap or drag on the chart to read any year.

P provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020

About these ticks

More charts (1)

Median wages: Greater Victoria, B.C. and Canada (as reported)

2023 A year, by year

  • Greater Victoria $53,720
  • British Columbia $49,300
  • Canada $47,650
Line chart of 3 lines, 7 periods from 2017 to 2023. Greater Victoria: starts at $36,760 a year (2017), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $36,760 a year (2017). British Columbia: starts at $35,300 a year (2017), ends at $49,300 a year (2023); highest $49,300 a year (2023), lowest $35,300 a year (2017). Canada: starts at $36,980 a year (2017), ends at $47,650 a year (2023); highest $47,650 a year (2023), lowest $36,980 a year (2017). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: Provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020. Every value is in the table.$0$20,000$40,000$60,000202320202017Provincial election, May 9, 2017Provincial election, Oct 24, 20202017: Greater Victoria: $36,760 a year; British Columbia: $35,300 a year; Canada: $36,980 a year2018: Greater Victoria: $38,440 a year; British Columbia: $36,530 a year; Canada: $38,350 a year2019: Greater Victoria: $39,720 a year; British Columbia: $37,600 a year; Canada: $39,290 a year2020: Greater Victoria: $44,520 a year; British Columbia: $40,450 a year; Canada: $39,880 a year2021: Greater Victoria: $48,120 a year; British Columbia: $44,820 a year; Canada: $43,190 a year2022: Greater Victoria: $50,000 a year; British Columbia: $46,730 a year; Canada: $45,380 a year2023: Greater Victoria: $53,720 a year; British Columbia: $49,300 a year; Canada: $47,650 a year
Line chart of 3 lines, 7 periods from 2017 to 2023. Greater Victoria: starts at $36,760 a year (2017), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $36,760 a year (2017). British Columbia: starts at $35,300 a year (2017), ends at $49,300 a year (2023); highest $49,300 a year (2023), lowest $35,300 a year (2017). Canada: starts at $36,980 a year (2017), ends at $47,650 a year (2023); highest $47,650 a year (2023), lowest $36,980 a year (2017). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: Provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020. Every value is in the table.$0$20,000$40,000$60,0002023202120192017Provincial election, May 9, 2017Provincial election, Oct 24, 20202017: Greater Victoria: $36,760 a year; British Columbia: $35,300 a year; Canada: $36,980 a year2018: Greater Victoria: $38,440 a year; British Columbia: $36,530 a year; Canada: $38,350 a year2019: Greater Victoria: $39,720 a year; British Columbia: $37,600 a year; Canada: $39,290 a year2020: Greater Victoria: $44,520 a year; British Columbia: $40,450 a year; Canada: $39,880 a year2021: Greater Victoria: $48,120 a year; British Columbia: $44,820 a year; Canada: $43,190 a year2022: Greater Victoria: $50,000 a year; British Columbia: $46,730 a year; Canada: $45,380 a year2023: Greater Victoria: $53,720 a year; British Columbia: $49,300 a year; Canada: $47,650 a year
Line chart of 3 lines, 7 periods from 2017 to 2023. Greater Victoria: starts at $36,760 a year (2017), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $36,760 a year (2017). British Columbia: starts at $35,300 a year (2017), ends at $49,300 a year (2023); highest $49,300 a year (2023), lowest $35,300 a year (2017). Canada: starts at $36,980 a year (2017), ends at $47,650 a year (2023); highest $47,650 a year (2023), lowest $36,980 a year (2017). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: Provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020. Every value is in the table.$0$20,000$40,000$60,0002023202120192017Provincial election, May 9, 2017Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020GreaterVictoria$53,720BritishColumbia$49,300Canada $47,6502017: Greater Victoria: $36,760 a year; British Columbia: $35,300 a year; Canada: $36,980 a year2018: Greater Victoria: $38,440 a year; British Columbia: $36,530 a year; Canada: $38,350 a year2019: Greater Victoria: $39,720 a year; British Columbia: $37,600 a year; Canada: $39,290 a year2020: Greater Victoria: $44,520 a year; British Columbia: $40,450 a year; Canada: $39,880 a year2021: Greater Victoria: $48,120 a year; British Columbia: $44,820 a year; Canada: $43,190 a year2022: Greater Victoria: $50,000 a year; British Columbia: $46,730 a year; Canada: $45,380 a year2023: Greater Victoria: $53,720 a year; British Columbia: $49,300 a year; Canada: $47,650 a year
Line chart of 3 lines, 7 periods from 2017 to 2023. Greater Victoria: starts at $36,760 a year (2017), ends at $53,720 a year (2023); highest $53,720 a year (2023), lowest $36,760 a year (2017). British Columbia: starts at $35,300 a year (2017), ends at $49,300 a year (2023); highest $49,300 a year (2023), lowest $35,300 a year (2017). Canada: starts at $36,980 a year (2017), ends at $47,650 a year (2023); highest $47,650 a year (2023), lowest $36,980 a year (2017). Short ticks on the top edge mark general election days: Provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020. Every value is in the table.$0$20,000$40,000$60,0002023202220212020201920182017Provincial election, May 9, 2017Provincial election, Oct 24, 2020Greater Victoria$53,720British Columbia$49,300Canada $47,6502017: Greater Victoria: $36,760 a year; British Columbia: $35,300 a year; Canada: $36,980 a year2018: Greater Victoria: $38,440 a year; British Columbia: $36,530 a year; Canada: $38,350 a year2019: Greater Victoria: $39,720 a year; British Columbia: $37,600 a year; Canada: $39,290 a year2020: Greater Victoria: $44,520 a year; British Columbia: $40,450 a year; Canada: $39,880 a year2021: Greater Victoria: $48,120 a year; British Columbia: $44,820 a year; Canada: $43,190 a year2022: Greater Victoria: $50,000 a year; British Columbia: $46,730 a year; Canada: $45,380 a year2023: Greater Victoria: $53,720 a year; British Columbia: $49,300 a year; Canada: $47,650 a year

Tap or drag on the chart to read any year.

P provincial election: May 9, 2017; Oct 24, 2020

About these ticks

Targets and comparisons

Context measure: no target expected
  • Context measure: no target expected. Pay is set by employers and workers. The Province sets the minimum wage, which is a floor for pay, not a target for typical wages.

  • The British Columbia and Canada lines are shown for comparison. They are not a goal.

How targets are chosen

Show the numbers as a table
Median wages, as reported and in 2023 dollars (newest first)
PeriodAs reportedIn 2023 dollars (after inflation)
2023$53,720$53,720
2022$50,000$51,854
2021$48,120$53,379
2020$44,520$50,597
2019$39,720$45,632
2018$38,440$45,249
2017$36,760$44,291
Median wages: Greater Victoria, B.C. and Canada (as reported) (newest first)
PeriodGreater VictoriaBritish ColumbiaCanada
2023$53,720$49,300$47,650
2022$50,000$46,730$45,380
2021$48,120$44,820$43,190
2020$44,520$40,450$39,880
2019$39,720$37,600$39,290
2018$38,440$36,530$38,350
2017$36,760$35,300$36,980

How it compares

Statistics Canada, 2023, a year. Comparisons are not goals.

As reported$53,720In 2023 dollars$53,720Greater Victoria$53,720British Columbia$49,300Canada$47,650

Who decides

No government decides this directly. The bodies below decide the rules around it.

Show all 1 bodies and the laws

No government decides this directly. Employers and workers decide pay above the minimum wage.

Who decides what: Median wages after inflation
BodyWhat it decidesLaw or bylaw
Province of B.C.Sets the minimum wage that every employer must pay.Employment Standards Act, s. 16

Province: last general election October 19, 2024; next set for October 21, 2028 unless called earlier (Constitution Act, s. 23).

Each row says what a body decides and links to the law, order or bylaw that gives it that role. It does not say who caused a change: markets, households and other governments also move these numbers. Who decides what, for every measure · How we choose

What this number does not show

  • Calculated here. Wages are Statistics Canada’s median wages, salaries and commissions of tax filers aged 15 and over who had any, from tax returns. Prices are the annual average consumer price index for Victoria.
One more limit
  • It is yearly pay, so it moves with hours worked as well as with hourly pay. Part-time and part-year workers are included.

Not measured yet in cost of living: rent in basement suites, rented condos and houses. See all 18 gaps

In plain words

Up 3.6% in a year after inflation. Up 19% since 2018.

The median wages, salaries and commissions of tax filers 15 and over in the Victoria metropolitan area. The change is after inflation, using the Victoria consumer price index.

How we decide “About the same this year. Better over 5 years.”

The change is 3.6% of the earlier value, below the 5% threshold. Over 5 years (since 2018) the change is 18.7% of the earlier value, at or above the 5% threshold, so the label also says Better over 5 years.

Higher wages after inflation mean typical earnings buy more. $53,720 in 2023 against $50,000 in 2022 as reported, or $51,854 in 2023 dollars (+3.6% after inflation). B.C.: $49,300. Canada: $47,650.

Outcome measures read Better, Worse or About the same; published government targets read Ahead of, On or Behind target; value-judgement measures read Rising, Falling or Steady in a neutral colour. A change smaller than the agency's own margin of error, or otherwise smaller than 5% of the earlier value, is About the same (or Steady). No change is calculated across a marked break in a series. The rule.

All notes on this number

Why it matters. It shows whether typical pay from work is keeping up with prices.

  • Calculated here. Wages are Statistics Canada’s median wages, salaries and commissions of tax filers aged 15 and over who had any, from tax returns. Prices are the annual average consumer price index for Victoria.
  • It is yearly pay, so it moves with hours worked as well as with hourly pay. Part-time and part-year workers are included.
  • Self-employment income and government transfers are not included.

Which places

Area: Greater Victoria (CMA)

Statistics Canada’s Victoria metropolitan area: 13 municipalities plus nearby electoral-area and reserve lands.

Included

  • Victoria
  • Saanich
  • Oak Bay
  • Esquimalt
  • View Royal
  • Langford
  • Colwood
  • Highlands
  • Metchosin
  • Sooke
  • Central Saanich
  • North Saanich
  • Sidney
  • Juan de Fuca electoral area, part 1 (for example East Sooke, Jordan River and Shirley)
  • First Nations reserves: Cole Bay 3, Union Bay 4, East Saanich 2, South Saanich 1, Becher Bay 1, Esquimalt, New Songhees 1A and T'Sou-ke

Not included

  • Salt Spring Island
  • Southern Gulf Islands (Galiano, Mayne, Pender and Saturna islands)
  • Port Renfrew area (Juan de Fuca electoral area, part 2)

Official definition

Shown for comparison

  • Comparison area: All of B.C. The whole province of British Columbia.
  • Comparison area: All of Canada Canada as a whole, shown only for comparison.

How the agency describes it: Victoria census metropolitan area (Greater Victoria).

How we calculated it

Calculated here This figure is not published by an agency as is. It is calculated here, by script, from the public data listed below. It belongs with Prices vs a year ago.

Formula

Wages in 2023 dollars = wages in year × (price index 2023 ÷ price index in that year). Change after inflation = 2023 wages ÷ 2022 wages in 2023 dollars − 1.

With the latest numbers

  • Price index for Victoria (2002 = 100): 142.9 in 2022, 148.2 in 2023.
  • Median wages: $50,000 in 2022, $53,720 in 2023.
  • 2022 wages in 2023 dollars: $50,000 × 148.2 ÷ 142.9 = $51,854.
  • $53,720 ÷ $51,854 − 1 = +3.6%.
  • Five years: price index 125.9 in 2018; $38,440 × 148.2 ÷ 125.9 = $45,249; $53,720 ÷ $45,249 − 1 = +18.7%.

Inputs

Keep in mind

  • Calculated here. Wages are Statistics Canada’s median wages, salaries and commissions of tax filers aged 15 and over who had any, from tax returns. Prices are the annual average consumer price index for Victoria.
  • It is yearly pay, so it moves with hours worked as well as with hourly pay. Part-time and part-year workers are included.
  • Self-employment income and government transfers are not included.

Retrieved Nov 12, 2026, 10:22 PM B.C. time. This page’s data and calculation (JSON).

Licence and credits

Published under an open licence: anyone may reuse it with credit. About licences.

Calculated here from public data; see “How we calculated it”.

Calculated here from
Statistics Canada
Period
Calendar year 2023
Updated
Annually (tax-return data, about 18 months after the year)
Retrieved
Nov 12, 2026, 10:22 PM B.C. time

Adapted from Statistics Canada, table 11-10-0072-01. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product. Adapted from Statistics Canada, table 18-10-0005-01. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.