What Counts as a "Good" Raise in Canada Right Now
September 24, 2026 · 1 min read
Context matters more than a fixed percentage when judging whether a raise is fair.
There's no single universal number that defines a "good" raise — context like inflation, your performance, and market rates for your role all factor in.
Start with inflation as a floor
A raise that doesn't at least keep pace with the current inflation rate is effectively a pay cut in real terms, even if the number on paper looks positive.
Compare to market movement for your role
Checking current job postings for your role and experience level gives a better benchmark than a generic industry-wide average.
Weigh a promotion differently than a standard increase
A raise tied to new responsibilities or a title change is reasonably expected to be larger (often 10-20%+) than an annual cost-of-living style adjustment for the same role.
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