Montréal, November 27, 2025. – In 2025, average salaries in the Québec government are lower (-12.1%) than in organizations with 200 or more employees for comparable jobs. For these same comparable jobs, the salaries of Québec government employees are also lower than those of private sector employees and other public sector employees (by 8.6% and 17.9%, respectively).
The salaries and total compensation of 90,386 Québec government employees for 74 comparable jobs in the labour market are made public today in the report Rémunération des salariés – État et évolution comparés 2025.
Changes in salary differentials between Québec government employees and the sectors compared
| Salary differentials (%) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Differential | 2012 | Differential | |
| Other Québec employees | -12,1 | -11,4 | Stable | -11,2 | Stable |
| Private sector | -8,6 | -8,0 | Stable | -7,8 | Stable |
| Other public sectors | -17,9 | -16,6 | Increase | -19,6 | Increase |
| Source Institut de la statistique du Québec, Rémunération des salariés. État et évolution comparés 2025. |
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Smaller gap between Québec government and other employees when benefits are included in the comparison
When pension plans, group insurance, paid time off and regular weekly hours (without overtime) are taken into account, the total compensation of Québec government employees is 3.2% lower than that of other Québec employees and 17.8% lower than that of other public sector employees. However, it is 4.5% higher than the total compensation of private sector employees.
Compared to other Québec employees and private sector employees, Québec government employees are in a better comparative position in terms of total compensation than salaries. This is partly because they have more paid time off and a shorter regular work week.
Changes in total compensation differentials between Québec government employees and the sectors compared
| Total compensation differentials (%) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | Differential | 2012 | Differential | |
| Other Québec employees | -3,2 | -2,1 | Stable | -6,1 | Stable |
| Private sector | 4,5 | 5,8 | Stable | 3,3 | Stable |
| Other public sectors | -17,8 | -16,2 | Increase | -26,2 | Decrease |
| Source Institut de la statistique du Québec, Rémunération des salariés. État et évolution comparés 2025. |
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How the situation has evolved
Between 2024 and 2025, the gaps between Québec government employees and other Québec and private sector employees have remained stable. This applies to both salaries and total compensation. It also holds true when comparing the differentials for 2025 with those from 2012.
The situation is different with regard to other public sector employees. The salary and total compensation gaps have increased in the past year but have decreased compared with 2012.
Comparison of total compensation
The Institut de la statistique du Québec is mandated to compare the total compensation of Québec government employees with that of other Québec employees. It must do so every year and make the results of the comparison public at the end of November.
The purpose of this exercise is to compare similar jobs. This is why employees in fields such as teaching and nursing are excluded from the comparison, as they are mainly employed by the Québec government. The comparison covers organizations with 200 or more employees and municipalities with populations of 25,000 or more, because the job structure in these organizations is similar to that in the Québec government.
The components used in the comparison have been selected to ensure relevance and objectivity and are periodically submitted to the negotiating parties (employer and unions) by the Institut for consultation purposes.
Base sector and reference market used in the comparison:| Québec government employees | Other Québec employees (organizations with 200 or more employees) |
|---|---|
| Public service: departments, government bodies, special funds Education Health and social services |
Private organizations Other public sectors: government enterprises, universities, municipalities with populations of 25,000 or more, federal government in Québec |
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and an essential source of information for all those wishing to learn more about Québec.