[Canada] 200% surge in number of federal employees earning over $150k

New data released by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) has revealed that the number of federal public servants earning above $150,000 per year has surged over the past five years, HRD reports.

The data, sourced from the Phoenix pay system, shows that 12,971 employees had an annual salary between $150,000 and $199,999 at the start of the 2024-25 fiscal year, up from 4,191 (or 209 per cent) in 2020-21. 

The figures reportedly cover employees in the federal public service, including the core public administration and most separate agencies listed in Schedules I, IV and V of the Financial Administration Act.

Annual salary rates “reflect straight‑time pay rates in effect as of the end of April for each respective fiscal year,” the report said.

In 2024-25, 994 employees had base salaries between $200,000 and $249,999, up from 519 in 2020-21. The number earning between $250,000 and $299,999 increased to 220 from 62 over the same period. Regarding top earners, 82 employees were in the $300,000-$399,999 range in 2024-25, up from 34 in 2020-21, and three employees were in the $400,000-$499,999 band. 

No employees were recorded with base salaries of $500,000 or more in any of the five years reported.

The Secretariat reportedly noted that the counts “include active employees across all employment tenures - indeterminate, term, casual, and student - together with Governor in Council appointees and deputy ministers.” 

Judges, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Forces (which are not considered part of the federal public service) are excluded. Several separate agencies which do not submit data through Phoenix, including the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the National Capital Commission, are also excluded.

TBS reported that 20,200 employees received more than $150,000 in total combined annual financial compensation, including base salary, performance pay, allowances, payments in lieu of leave and overtime, in 2024-25. The figure rose from 11,562 in 2020-21.

According to the report, the data “capture all forms of cash compensation paid to employees during each fiscal year,” but excludes severance and other termination benefits, as well as employer contributions to pensions and benefits.

Source: HRD

(Link and quotes via original reporting)

New data released by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) has revealed that the number of federal public servants earning above $150,000 per year has surged over the past five years, HRD reports.

The data, sourced from the Phoenix pay system, shows that 12,971 employees had an annual salary between $150,000 and $199,999 at the start of the 2024-25 fiscal year, up from 4,191 (or 209 per cent) in 2020-21. 

The figures reportedly cover employees in the federal public service, including the core public administration and most separate agencies listed in Schedules I, IV and V of the Financial Administration Act.

Annual salary rates “reflect straight‑time pay rates in effect as of the end of April for each respective fiscal year,” the report said.

In 2024-25, 994 employees had base salaries between $200,000 and $249,999, up from 519 in 2020-21. The number earning between $250,000 and $299,999 increased to 220 from 62 over the same period. Regarding top earners, 82 employees were in the $300,000-$399,999 range in 2024-25, up from 34 in 2020-21, and three employees were in the $400,000-$499,999 band. 

No employees were recorded with base salaries of $500,000 or more in any of the five years reported.

The Secretariat reportedly noted that the counts “include active employees across all employment tenures - indeterminate, term, casual, and student - together with Governor in Council appointees and deputy ministers.” 

Judges, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Forces (which are not considered part of the federal public service) are excluded. Several separate agencies which do not submit data through Phoenix, including the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the National Capital Commission, are also excluded.

TBS reported that 20,200 employees received more than $150,000 in total combined annual financial compensation, including base salary, performance pay, allowances, payments in lieu of leave and overtime, in 2024-25. The figure rose from 11,562 in 2020-21.

According to the report, the data “capture all forms of cash compensation paid to employees during each fiscal year,” but excludes severance and other termination benefits, as well as employer contributions to pensions and benefits.

Source: HRD

(Link and quotes via original reporting)