Government of Canada Economist Salary (2026)
I'm an EC — I've been classified under Economics and Social Science Services since I joined the federal government. I started at Statistics Canada working on macroeconomic accounts, then moved to the Privy Council Office doing trade and labour policy analysis. So when I say I know how EC pay works, it's because I've lived through the step increments, the collective agreement negotiations, and the biweekly pay stubs.
The EC group is one of the most sought-after classifications in the federal public service, with salaries ranging from $62,871 at entry level to $159,046 at the top. Here's how it actually breaks down.
Government of Canada Economist Salary by Level (2026)
The EC group has 8 levels. Each level has 5 pay steps, with automatic annual step increases. The table below shows the current 2026 salary ranges from the Treasury Board collective agreement.
| Level | Min (Step 1) | Max (Step 5) |
|---|---|---|
| EC-01 | $62,871 | $73,087 |
| EC-02 | $70,338 | $80,642 |
| EC-03 | $77,690 | $87,907 |
| EC-04 | $83,862 | $97,051 |
| EC-05 | $100,265 | $115,404 |
| EC-06 | $113,278 | $131,375 |
| EC-07 | $127,991 | $146,936 |
| EC-08 | $139,155 | $159,046 |
Source: Treasury Board / EC collective agreement, effective June 22, 2025.
Typical Career Path for Federal Economists
Understanding the EC career ladder helps contextualize these salary figures:
- EC-02 / EC-03: Entry-level positions. Fresh graduates with a bachelor's degree typically start at EC-02; master's graduates at EC-03 or sometimes EC-04. Responsibilities include data analysis, literature reviews, and supporting senior analysts.
- EC-04: The most common level for experienced analysts with 2–5 years of experience. You lead analysis files, draft policy briefs, and present to management. Salary: $83,862–$97,051.
- EC-05: Senior working-level economist. You lead major policy files, mentor juniors, and provide advice directly to directors and DGs. This is the ceiling for many individual contributors. Salary: $100,265–$115,404.
- EC-06 / EC-07: Management or director-equivalent roles. EC-06 typically manages a team of analysts; EC-07 may head a branch or serve as a chief economist. Salary: $113,278–$146,936.
- EC-08: The highest EC level, reserved for the most senior policy advisors and chief economists. Salary: $139,155–$159,046.
Where Do Federal Economists Work?
EC positions exist across government, but some departments are known as economist-heavy shops. From personal experience, the culture and type of work varies dramatically:
- Department of Finance — fiscal policy, tax policy, economic forecasting
- Privy Council Office (PCO) — Cabinet policy analysis, whole-of-government coordination
- Statistics Canada — economic surveys, national accounts, labour statistics
- Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) — labour market analysis, social policy
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) — industry analysis, competition policy
- Global Affairs Canada — trade policy, international economics
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — immigration policy analysis
Federal Economist vs Private Sector Salary
Federal economist base salaries are competitive with private sector roles at junior and mid-career levels, though the private sector often pays more at senior levels — especially in consulting and banking. However, the federal pension, benefits, and job security shift the total compensation comparison significantly.
| Experience | Federal Level | Federal Salary | Private Sector |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Economist (0-2 yrs) | EC-02/EC-03 | 70K-88K | 60K-80K |
| Economist (3-5 yrs) | EC-04 | 84K-97K | 80K-110K |
| Senior Economist (5-10 yrs) | EC-05/EC-06 | 100K-131K | 100K-150K |
| Lead / Director (10+ yrs) | EC-07/EC-08 | 128K-159K | 140K-200K+ |
Private sector figures are approximate market ranges for economist roles in Canada (banks, consulting, think tanks). Federal salaries do not include the value of the defined-benefit pension (estimated at 20–25% of salary) or health/dental benefits. See our full federal vs private sector comparison.
Education Requirements
Most EC positions require a bachelor's degree in economics, statistics, sociology, or a related social science. At EC-04 and above, a master's degree is often required or strongly preferred — especially at Finance, PCO, and StatCan.
I have an MA in economics, and most of my colleagues at PCO do too. Quantitative skills matter more than they used to: econometrics, Stata, R, and increasingly Python are expected at the working level. If you're coming from academia with strong quantitative training, the EC classification is the natural landing spot.
Look Up Your EC Salary
Use the links below to see the full step-by-step pay scale and salary history for each EC level:
- EC-01 pay scale — $62,871 to $73,087
- EC-02 pay scale — $70,338 to $80,642
- EC-03 pay scale — $77,690 to $87,907
- EC-04 pay scale — $83,862 to $97,051
- EC-05 pay scale — $100,265 to $115,404
- EC-06 pay scale — $113,278 to $131,375
- EC-07 pay scale — $127,991 to $146,936
- EC-08 pay scale — $139,155 to $159,046
You can also use the take-home pay calculator to see your net pay after taxes and deductions, or compare EC with other groups like FI, IT, or AS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What classification are economists in the Government of Canada?
Economists in the federal public service are classified under the EC (Economics and Social Science Services) group. The EC classification covers economists, policy analysts, social science researchers, and statisticians. It has 8 levels (EC-01 to EC-08).
How much does a Government of Canada economist make?
A Government of Canada economist typically earns between $70,000 and $160,000 depending on their level. Entry-level positions (EC-02/EC-03) start around $70,000-$78,000, while senior economists (EC-05) earn $100,000-$115,000. The most senior positions (EC-07/EC-08) can reach $147,000-$159,000.
What education do I need to become a federal economist?
Most EC positions require at minimum a bachelor's degree in economics, statistics, social science, or a related field. Competitive EC-04 and EC-05 positions — especially at Finance Canada, PCO, and Statistics Canada — often require or strongly prefer a master's degree in economics.
Is the EC-05 level considered senior?
EC-05 is the highest working-level economist classification — it's the typical ceiling for individual contributors who are not in management. EC-06 and above are generally management or director-equivalent positions. EC-05 Step 1 starts at $100,265.
All salary figures reflect 2026 rates from Treasury Board collective agreements. FedPay.ca is an independent community tool and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada.