The Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés (CRHA) anticipates a slowdown in salary increases in 2025. For all sectors, the Ordre des CRHA indicates that employers plan to offer salary increases totalling 3.3% next year (including indexation of the salary structure, job seniority and merit increases).
The Conseil du patronat du Québec estimates that increases will range from 2.8% to 3.8%, depending on the sector.
Wage increases on the decline
According to the Institut de la statistique du Québec, these forecasts are down on the 4.6% increase recorded in 2023. It’s worth remembering that, prior to the pandemic, salary increases averaged 2.6% over the previous five years.
This slowdown would be directly linked to lower inflation and fewer vacancies in Quebec. Inflation continued to fall overall in Quebec in 2024, although the cost of rent and food continued to rise.
Labour scarcity is also tending to stabilize. Between the second quarter of 2023 and the same period this year, the number of job vacancies in Quebec decreased, and the unemployment rate rose to 5.5% in September, compared to an average of 4.3% in 2022.
How to make the most of 2025
There are many ways for you to be an employer of choice and attract the best candidates. Our recommendations from 2023 are still valid, and we invite you to consult them: Rising salaries: knowing how to make the most of the situation – Amyot Gélinas.
An article by our Human Capital team
For further reading :
Salary forecasts for 2025: lower increases than last year, but still high
Salary increases demystified | Grenier aux nouvelles
Salary increases: how to make the most of them – Amyot Gélinas
