EX Group Salary in the Federal Government (EX-01 to EX-05, 2026)
The EX group is what most career federal employees are working toward — and also the group with some of the most counterintuitive pay dynamics. Working at PCO, I sit in rooms with EX-01 Directors and see first-hand that the EX-01 floor ($138K) is actually lower than the maximum of several senior working-level positions. An EC-07 maxing out at $147K or an IT-05 at $174K both beat an EX-01 on base salary. Many senior ECs and ITs quietly decide the promotion isn't worth it — more accountability, more hours, less actual pay until you hit EX-02 or EX-03.
Here's the full EX salary breakdown for 2026 — all five levels, the unique non-union pay structure, performance pay, and a real take-home example at EX-01.
EX Group Pay Scale — 2026
EX pay rates were last updated effective April 1, 2025. Unlike other groups that have multiple numbered steps, EX levels have a salary range — a minimum and maximum. The individual's placement within the range is determined by performance and departmental approval.
| Level | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| EX-01 | $137,524 | $161,773 |
| EX-02 | $154,178 | $181,365 |
| EX-03 | $172,548 | $202,918 |
| EX-04 | $197,774 | $232,676 |
| EX-05 | $221,654 | $260,719 |
EX-01 Directors start at a minimum of $137,524 — significantly higher than the top of most other classification groups. EX-05 Deputy Ministers can earn up to $260,719, though the most senior DMs (Clerk of the Privy Council, certain Deputy Ministers of large departments) are classified above EX-05 and can earn more than $282,000.
How EX Pay Differs from Other Federal Groups
The EX group operates under a fundamentally different pay system than the rest of the federal public service:
- No collective agreement: EX pay is set by Order-in-Council, not negotiated with a union. EX employees are excluded from collective bargaining.
- Salary range, not steps: Each EX level has a minimum and maximum salary. Movement within the range is based on performance assessments rather than automatic annual step increases.
- Performance pay: EX employees can receive at-risk performance pay on top of base salary — a percentage of salary tied to meeting or exceeding performance commitments. This is separate from the base salary ranges shown above.
- Annual salary review: EX salaries are adjusted by the government based on private-sector comparisons and periodic Treasury Board reviews, typically on April 1 each year.
EX-01 (Director) Take-Home Pay Example — Ontario, Group 1, 2026
Most current EX-01s have been in the public service for 15+ years, meaning they fall under Group 1 pension (joined before January 1, 2013). Group 1 has higher contribution rates but allows unreduced retirement at age 60. Here's the approximate take-home at minimum salary:
| Gross annual salary (EX-01 minimum) | $137,524 |
| − Federal income tax | −$28,500 |
| − Ontario provincial tax | −$11,800 |
| − CPP contributions | −$4,034 |
| − CPP2 contributions | −$396 |
| − EI premiums | −$1,049 |
| − PSPP pension (Group 1) | −$13,200 |
| Total deductions | −$58,979 |
| Net annual take-home | $78,545 |
| Net biweekly paycheque | ≈ $3,011 |
An EX-01 at minimum in Ontario (Group 1) takes home approximately $78,545 per year. Group 1 pension contributions are higher than Group 2 — 8.41% below YMPE and 11.52% above — but the trade-off is retiring with an unreduced pension at 60 instead of 65. For most EX-01s who have 20+ years of service ahead of them, the pension's present value is worth well over $1 million.
For other provinces or salary levels within the EX range, use the take-home pay calculator.
EX Career Path: How to Become an EX
The path to the Executive group typically follows this progression:
- Pre-EX: Most EX directors come from EC-07/EC-08, IT-05, FI-04, AS-07, or similar senior classifications in their functional area. The jump to EX-01 is significant — EC-08 tops out at $159,046 while EX-01 minimum is $137,524, and EX-01 maximum ($161,773) is above the EC-08 ceiling.
- EX-01 (Director): Entry to the executive cadre. Most new EXs are EX-01. This represents management of a team or branch with significant autonomous accountability.
- EX-02 (Senior Director): Expanded scope of leadership. May lead multiple EX-01 directors or a larger function.
- EX-03 (Director General): The DG level. Most common senior executive classification. Leads a branch or directorate with substantial resources.
- EX-04 (Assistant Deputy Minister): ADM level — a very small number of positions in each department. Reports directly to the Deputy Minister.
- EX-05 (Deputy Minister): The top of the EX classification. Appointed by Governor in Council. Accountable to Ministers for departmental operations.
EX Above EX-05: Governor in Council Appointees
The highest-paid federal officials — the Clerk of the Privy Council, certain Deputy Ministers of major departments, and heads of crown corporations — are paid above the EX-05 maximum through separate GIC orders. Some of these positions carry compensation exceeding $282,000 per year.
For complete step-by-step rates and salary history for each EX level, see:
- EX-01 salary range — $137,524 to $161,773
- EX-02 salary range — $154,178 to $181,365
- EX-03 salary range — $172,548 to $202,918
- EX-04 salary range — $197,774 to $232,676
- EX-05 salary range — $221,654 to $260,719
See also: Highest paying federal government jobs or compare EX with other classifications.