Alberta’s 2025 Living Wage Numbers Are Out

The Alberta Living Wage Network has released its 2025 update, showing living wages rising in most communities across the province. Fifteen of the 21 participating municipalities saw increases this year. The main drivers were higher childcare, shelter, and transportation costs, which continue to push affordability in the wrong direction for many Alberta households.

Biggest Increases:

• Airdrie: $29.00 an hour, up 19.3 percent
• Brooks: $22.00 an hour, up 18.9 percent
• St. Albert: $25.60 an hour, up 17.7 percent
• Grande Prairie: $21.80 an hour, up 15.6 percent
• Spruce Grove: $23.70 an hour, up 14.8 percent

These communities were most affected by rising rents, transportation costs, and changes to childcare affordability program.

Biggest Decreases:

• Barrhead: $21.55 an hour, down 12 percent
• Rocky Mountain House: $21.85 an hour, down 8 percent
• Bonnyville: $22.15 an hour, down 6.1 percent
• Special Areas: $21.25 an hour, down 6 percent
• Cold Lake: $19.10 an hour, down 2.3 percent
• Fort McMurray: $23.00 an hour, down 2.1 percent

Most decreases were linked to lower toddler childcare costs and some improved transportation access.

Regional Context:

Among the communities that still participate in the Alberta Living Wage Network’s calculation, Jasper has the highest 2025 living wage at 31.80 an hour. However, the last time Canmore participated, in 2023, its living wage was calculated at 38.80 an hour, which remains higher than Jasper’s current figure, even though it is no longer updated in the annual report. Banff has never taken part in the survey

Calgary, the nearest major labour market, saw its living wage rise 8.4 percent from last year to $26.50 an hour. Edmonton increased 7 percent to $22.30 an hour.

The Bigger Picture

Shelter costs and transportation remain the key pressures facing Alberta households. Alberta’s updated childcare program helped some communities, but most still saw costs rise in other essential categories. With the provincial minimum wage still at $15.00 an hour, the gap between minimum wage earnings and what it takes to meet basic needs continues to grow. The Network notes that this gap affects workers through financial strain, affects employers through retention challenges, and increases demand on local social programs.

What the Living Wage Measures

The Alberta Living Wage Network works with municipalities and community partners to calculate the real cost of living in each community. A living wage is the hourly amount a worker needs to cover essentials like rent, food, transportation, and childcare while still being able to participate in community life. It is not the same as minimum wage. Instead, it reflects the actual costs facing families without relying on debt or emergency supports. The Network updates these numbers each year and also certifies employers who choose to pay a living wage.