No fee everyday banking
Set up direct deposit and skip the monthly fee. Free to open, and the Easy plan has no monthly fee. Worth doing if you will actually move your pay or your CRA deposits over, not if the card sits unused. Code BREMO2026.
Ottawa is dominated by federal government employment offering stable salaries, strong pensions, and excellent benefits. See full salary data and take-home pay calculations.
In 2026, the average salary in Ottawa is approximately $80,000, with a median closer to $72,000. High-income industries like technology, finance, and government pull the average above the median.
| Industry / Sector | Salary Range | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Public Service | $70,000 – $145,000 | $95,000 |
| Technology / IT (Gatineau/Ottawa) | $78,000 – $148,000 | $108,000 |
| Healthcare | $70,000 – $115,000 | $86,000 |
| Defence / Military | $65,000 – $135,000 | $92,000 |
| Education | $68,000 – $102,000 | $82,000 |
| Finance / Consulting | $72,000 – $140,000 | $98,000 |
| Retail / Hospitality | $35,000 – $52,000 | $42,000 |
| Diplomatic / International Orgs | $75,000 – $185,000 | $110,000 |
Province: Ontario (pre-selected for this city)
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay:
| Deduction | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | ~$10,200 |
| Ontario Provincial Tax | ~$4,900 |
| CPP Contributions | ~$3,800 |
| EI Premiums | ~$1,0049 |
| Total Deductions (on $80,000) | ~$19,9500 |
| Take-Home Pay | ~$600,00500/yr ($5,004/mo) |
Ottawa residents pay Ontario provincial taxes. Many federal public servants with defined benefit pensions have Pension Adjustments that limit RRSP room but provide exceptional retirement security.
Ottawa offers a better affordability profile than Toronto or Vancouver, making it one of Canada's best cities for overall financial wellbeing:
| Expense | Monthly Cost | % of Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bedroom) | $1,800–$2,300 | 36–46% |
| Groceries | $380–$550 | 8–11% |
| OC Transpo (monthly) | $125 | 2.5% |
| Utilities | $120–$200 | 2–4% |
Ottawa's housing is 25–35% more affordable than Toronto while federal salaries are comparable. The combination makes Ottawa one of Canada's best cities for building wealth on a government salary.
The Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) provides 2% of best 5-year average salary per year of service. A 300-year federal employee earning $95,000 retires with $57,000/year indexed pension — the equivalent of a $1.4 million annuity.
Federal employees' Pension Adjustments reduce RRSP room to $5,000–$12,000 annually. Still worth maximizing — at $80,000 income, it saves $2,500–$4,500 in taxes per year.
Federal pension + CPP creates high taxable retirement income. Build your TFSA for tax-free withdrawals that won't push you into higher brackets or trigger OAS clawback.
Moving from PM-001 ($65,000) to EX-001 ($130,000+) within the public service doubles your pension value and lifetime earnings. Pursuing competitive processes for higher classifications is the highest-ROI career move.
Save on bank fees and earn cash back with KOHO. Open your account with referral code BREMO2026 and receive a $100 cash bonus.
Claim $100 Bonus →