HR Rates of Pay – Historical Research (Government of Canada)

HR rates of pay for all HR (Historical Research) levels in the Canadian federal public service, 2026. Salaries range from $73,250 to $135,867 across 5 levels. Category: Science & Policy. Source: Treasury Board collective agreements.

HR – Historical Research

$73,250 – $135,867

$2,817 – $5,226 biweekly (before deductions)

5 levels · Salary data from Treasury Board collective agreements

Rates effective from 2025-10-01 · Last verified 2026-04-16 · methodology

All HR Levels

Level	Steps	Step 1	Max Step
HR-1	4	$73,250	$81,240
HR-2	5	$81,970	$93,383
HR-3	4	$93,783	$103,815
HR-4	4	$109,026	$121,148
HR-5	4	$117,703	$135,867

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About the HR Classification

The HR (Historical Research) group covers historians, archivists, and historical researchers working in the federal government. HR employees work primarily at Library and Archives Canada, Parks Canada, the Canadian War Museum, the Canadian Museum of History, and the Department of National Defence's Directorate of History and Heritage. Their work involves conducting original historical research, managing archival collections, curating exhibits, and providing historical expertise to support government programs.

HR-01 covers junior researchers and archival assistants. HR-02 is the working-level historian or archivist conducting independent research and collection management. HR-03 and above cover senior historians, chief archivists, and managers of historical programs. Most HR positions require graduate degrees in history, archival science, or museum studies, with PhDs common for senior research positions.

The HR group is one of the smaller federal classifications, reflecting the limited but important role of historical expertise in government. Federal historians at Parks Canada interpret nationally significant historic sites, while those at Library and Archives Canada manage one of the world's largest archival collections. Military historians at DND document Canadian Armed Forces operations and maintain the institutional memory of Canada's defence establishment. Despite modest pay compared to other professional classifications, HR positions offer unique access to historical materials and the opportunity to shape how Canadians understand their national story.

Want to know your take-home pay after taxes and deductions? Use the take-home pay calculator or compare HR with other classifications.