NU Rates of Pay – Nursing (Government of Canada)
NU rates of pay for all NU (Nursing) levels in the Canadian federal public service, 2026. Salaries range from $92,983 to $166,967 across 15 levels. Category: Health & Safety. Source: Treasury Board collective agreements.
NU – Nursing
$92,983 – $166,967
$3,576 – $6,422 biweekly (before deductions)
15 levels · Salary data from Treasury Board collective agreements
Rates effective from 2025-10-01 · Last verified 2026-04-16 · methodology
All NU Levels
| Level | Steps | Step 1 | Max Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| NU-EMA-1 | 6 | $94,258 | $106,643 |
| NU-EMA-2 | 6 | $102,884 | $116,408 |
| NU-HOS-1 | 2 | $92,983 | $94,104 |
| NU-HOS-2 | 6 | $95,230 | $106,456 |
| NU-HOS-3 | 7 | $95,896 | $109,001 |
| NU-HOS-4 | 8 | $99,042 | $115,426 |
| NU-HOS-5 | 8 | $103,761 | $122,344 |
| NU-HOS-6 | 8 | $109,001 | $131,257 |
| NU-HOS-7 | 8 | $120,299 | $145,702 |
| NU-HOS-8 | 9 | $122,572 | $154,064 |
| NU-PRA-01 | 8 | $120,156 | $136,540 |
| NU-PRA-02 | 8 | $121,356 | $139,939 |
| NU-PRA-03 | 8 | $124,250 | $146,506 |
| NU-PRA-04 | 8 | $133,202 | $158,605 |
| NU-PRA-05 | 9 | $135,475 | $166,967 |
ApplySmith
Applying for a NU position?
AI-generated screening answers, tailored resume, and cover letter — in the format GC hiring managers expect.
About the NU Classification
The NU (Nursing) group covers registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and nursing managers working in federal healthcare settings. NU employees provide direct patient care at Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit health facilities, Correctional Service of Canada institutions, Veterans Affairs Canada treatment centres, National Defence health services, and other federal healthcare operations. Many NU positions are in remote or isolated communities where federal nurses are the primary healthcare providers.
NU-CHN (Community Health Nurse) covers nurses working in First Nations communities — often the sole healthcare provider in isolated locations. NU-HOS covers hospital and institutional nurses at correctional facilities and military bases. NU-EMA covers emergency medical aides. The NU pay scale is competitive with provincial nursing rates, and isolated-post allowances can significantly increase total compensation for nurses in remote communities — northern nursing stations may offer $10,000–$25,000 in additional allowances.
The NU group is represented by PSAC under the Health Services (SH) collective agreement. Federal nursing is distinct from provincial healthcare employment: the work often involves cross-cultural care delivery, public health programming, and operating in resource-limited settings. Retention is a persistent challenge, particularly for remote postings, which is why NU compensation includes various premiums and allowances beyond base salary. Nurses considering federal employment should note that the defined-benefit pension and job security can offset the sometimes lower base salary compared to large urban hospitals.
Want to know your take-home pay after taxes and deductions? Use the take-home pay calculator or compare NU with other classifications.