Registered Nurse Salary in Toronto, ON (2026)

Based on aggregated salary data from multiple sources, the average RN salary in Toronto is approximately $95,000 CAD per year, with a typical range of $60,000 to $123,000 CAD depending on experience, unit, and employment status. Glassdoor's March 2026 data places the 25th-75th percentile range at roughly $72,500 to $125,000 CAD for Toronto RNs. The ONA hospital grid effective April 1, 2026 runs from $41.15/hr (start step) to $58.98/hr (step 8 after 8 years).

Under the ONA hospital provincial collective agreement effective April 1, 2026, full-time RNs earn between $41.15/hr at the start step and $58.98/hr at step 8 (reached after approximately 8 years of credited service). Annualized at 37.5 hours per week, that equates to roughly $80,000 to $115,000 CAD before shift premiums. The two-year agreement (April 2025 to March 2027) included a 3% increase on April 1, 2025 and a 2.25% increase on April 1, 2026.

Hospital RNs covered by the ONA hospital agreement generally access higher base rates and more structured premium schedules than many community, home-care, or long-term-care roles. Community and home-care nurses may be covered by separate sector agreements (such as the VON ONA agreement) with different grid structures. The difference can amount to several dollars per hour at equivalent experience levels, so sector comparison is essential before switching.

Yes. ONA collective agreements include premium pay for evening shifts, night shifts, weekend work, and statutory holidays, negotiated at the central or local agreement level. A full-time RN who regularly works nights and weekends can earn materially more than the grid base rate alone suggests - estimates range from $5,000 to $12,000 CAD additional per year depending on shift mix. These premiums are not captured in base salary survey figures.

New graduate RNs entering a hospital role under the ONA agreement start at the beginning step of the wage grid - $41.15/hr effective April 1, 2026, which annualizes to approximately $80,000 CAD on a full-time 37.5-hour week. Entry-level figures from survey sources that show lower numbers often reflect part-time or casual status where hours are limited, not a lower grid rate. Benefit loading (pension, health, dental) adds significant value on top of the cash wage for full-time staff.

Yes. High-acuity specialties like ICU, emergency, operating room, and neonatal nursing typically carry additional unit or specialty premiums on top of the base ONA grid rate. Nurses who hold a recognized Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) specialty certification also qualify for a certification premium under the ONA agreement. Over a full year, specialty unit placement plus certification can add thousands of dollars to annual income.

Part-time RNs under the ONA hospital agreement receive a percentage in lieu of benefits (14% or 10%, depending on the agreement) added to their hourly rate, which inflates the apparent hourly rate but replaces employer-paid pension, health, and dental coverage. Casual RNs have no guaranteed hours and variable annual income. Full-time status locks in seniority accrual, shift-bidding rights, and benefit entitlement - all of which compound financially over a career.

Major hiring employers in the Toronto area include University Health Network, Sinai Health System, Trillium Health Partners, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Michael Garron Hospital, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto), SickKids, and Scarborough Health Network, among others. All operate under ONA agreements and post RN vacancies on their careers pages and on government job boards on an ongoing basis.