Median annual salary: $91,853 · Range: $59,904 – $143,770 · Source: Government of Canada Job Bank (NOC 11100)
Annual figures assume 2,080 paid hours/year (40 hrs × 52 wks). Regional multiplier 0.96× applied to national Job Bank wage data.
Chartered Professional Accountants hold Canada's unified accounting designation. CPA firms, corporate finance departments, and Big Four advisory practices are the primary employers. Designation completion consistently lifts compensation by 20–30 %.
Select an experience level for a detailed breakdown with negotiation advice specific to Montreal, QC:
| Experience | Low | Median | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0–2 years) | $45,000 | $76,000 | $129,000 | |
| Mid-Level (3–6 years) | $57,000 | $94,000 | $158,000 | |
| Senior (7–12 years) | $66,000 | $110,000 | $187,000 | |
| Expert / Executive (12+ years) | $75,000 | $131,000 | $230,000 |
CPAs in Montreal are actively recruited by Big 4 and mid-market firms, investment banks, and Crown corporations; the CPA designation commands a measurable wage premium over non-designated accounting roles.
Montreal is Canada's AI research capital, home to Mila (the world's largest academic AI lab), as well as a globally significant video game industry anchored by Ubisoft, EA, and Eidos. Salaries benchmark slightly below Ontario for most professional roles, partially offset by lower living costs and income tax credits for R&D workers. Bilingualism (French/English) is an asset in most sectors.
Top hiring sectors:
Notable employers: National Bank, Desjardins, Intact Financial, iA Financial Group, PwC Québec, Deloitte Montréal
Based on Government of Canada Job Bank data (NOC 11100, 2024), the median annual salary for a CPA / Chartered Accountant in Montreal, QC is approximately $91,853. The typical range runs from $59,904 at the 25th percentile to $143,770 at the 75th percentile, depending on experience, employer size, and specialization.
Below the national average. Montreal, QC's regional wage multiplier is 0.96× the national benchmark for this occupation. The national median for CPA / Chartered Accountant is approximately $95,680/yr before regional adjustment.
The primary drivers are years of experience, employer size, industry sector, and professional certifications or designations. In Montreal, QC, the dominant employers for this role are in ai & research and video games & vfx, which set the market rate locally. Specialization and a track record of measurable outcomes are the fastest paths to the upper end of the range.
The median CPA / Chartered Accountant salary of $91,853/yr places you at the 50th percentile for this occupation in Montreal, QC. Given Quebec's cost of living, this provides a comfortable lifestyle for individuals and a reasonable foundation for a household. Use the JobCoach AI Salary Benchmarker to compare your specific situation against current market data.
Come prepared with market data (this guide plus at least two additional sources), a concise summary of your impact in previous roles, and a specific target number — not a range. In Montreal, QC, the top sectors hiring CPA / Chartered Accountants include ai & research and video games & vfx, where competing offers are the strongest leverage. Always negotiate total compensation, not just base salary.
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