Unemployment, job losses and pay: what the latest official numbers show about Canada vs US jobs in 2026, and what it means if you are thinking about working in the US.
Canada’s job market has stalled in 2026, while the US keeps adding jobs and paying more. Here’s what the latest official numbers show, and what they mean if you’re thinking about working south of the border.
Does this sound like you?
- You’ve applied for jobs in Canada for months and heard nothing back.
- You’ve noticed the same job pays a lot more in the US, even after converting dollars.
- Your raise this year didn’t keep up with your rent or mortgage.
- Your kids are finishing school and you’re worried about where they’ll find work.
The short answer
- Higher unemployment in Canada: 6.5% versus 4.2% in the US in September 2026.
- Canada lost payroll jobs this summer, while US payrolls grew.
- US pay is higher: the average US hourly wage is about $52.88 in Canadian dollars, versus $37.64 in Canada.
- US pay is growing faster: 3.0% a year versus 2.3% in Canada.
- The living standards gap has more than doubled since 1999, to about $23,750 per person.
- But US hiring has slowed too, so the right visa and a solid plan matter more than ever.
Unemployment: Canada is higher
Unemployment rate, September 2026
Canada6.5% United States4.2% Sources: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, September 2026. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Situation, September 2026. The two countries measure unemployment in slightly different ways. 13.0%Youth unemployment in Canada (ages 15 to 24) in September 2026.
30.6%Share of unemployed Canadians who found a job the next month, down from 36.5% before the pandemic.
Jobs: Canada shrinking, the US growing
Change in payroll jobs, July and August 2026 combined
United States+123,000 Canada-65,300 Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, total nonfarm payrolls (revised). Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours. Part of Canada’s August drop came from temporary federal jobs ending. The US has about 9 times as many workers, so Canada’s loss is large for its size.Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows the same trend: employment fell by 42,000 in August and by 68,000 in September.
Pay: higher in the US
Average hourly wage, in Canadian dollars
United States$52.88 Canada$37.64 US: average hourly earnings, private-sector employees, September 2026 ($37.81 USD), converted at the Bank of Canada rate of 1.3985 on October 29, 2026. Canada: average hourly wage of employees, September 2026, Labour Force Survey. Before taxes, and not adjusted for cost of living. 3.0%US wage growth over the past 12 months.
2.3%Canadian wage growth over the past 12 months.
Living standards: the gap has more than doubled
How much higher US GDP per person is than Canada’s
1999$10,766 2024$23,757 Inflation-adjusted, in Canadian dollars. In 2024, GDP per person was $83,286 in the US and $59,529 in Canada. Source: Fraser Institute, Squandering the Canadian Century, Part 1 (September 2026). $8,663How much higher median employment income was in the US than in Canada in 2024, up from $6,126 in 2010 (inflation-adjusted, CAD).
68% vs 27%Growth in worker productivity from 1999 to 2025: US versus Canada. Productivity is a key driver of pay.
The other side of the story
- US hiring has slowed too. The US added only 29,000 jobs in September. It’s still growing, but not booming.
- Pay isn’t everything. Taxes, health care and cost of living vary a lot by state and city.
- You need the right visa. Most Canadians can’t simply move and start working. A job offer, a business or family ties usually come first.
How Canadians are making the move
WorkTN visa
For professionals with a US job offer, often approved at the border the same day.
Is your job on the TN list? BusinessE-2 visa
Buy or start a US business and move with your family. No job offer needed.
Check if you qualify TransferL-1 visa
Move to your company’s US office as a manager, executive or specialist.
Learn about the L-1 No job offerOther routes
Family sponsorship, study and investment can also work.
Moving without a job offerCommon questions
Is it easier to find a job in the US than in Canada?
Right now, the numbers point that way. In September 2026, unemployment was 6.5% in Canada and 4.2% in the US, and Canada lost payroll jobs over the summer while the US added them. But US hiring has also slowed, so it still takes the right job offer and visa.
Do jobs pay more in the US than in Canada?
On average, yes. The average US hourly wage was $37.81 USD in September 2026, about $52.88 in Canadian dollars, compared with $37.64 in Canada. Taxes, health care and cost of living vary, so compare the full picture for your situation.
Can a Canadian just move to the US and look for work?
You can visit to look for work and attend interviews, but you can't start working without a work visa. Many Canadian professionals use the TN visa once they have a job offer.
What US visa can Canadians get with a job offer?
The TN visa is the most common, for professionals in listed occupations. Others include the H-1B and, for company transfers, the L-1.
What if I don't have a US job offer?
You may still have options, such as the E-2 investor visa if you buy or start a business, family sponsorship or study.
See which US route fits you
Answer a few quick questions and see which US visas and green cards may fit you. Free, confidential, about 3 minutes.
Check my optionsOr book a consultationPrefer to talk now? Call 866-934-7447
Sources: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, September 2026 (released October 9, 2026). Statistics Canada, Payroll employment, earnings and hours, August 2026 (released October 29, 2026). US Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Employment Situation, September 2026 (released October 2, 2026). Bank of Canada daily exchange rate, October 29, 2026. Fraser Institute, Squandering the Canadian Century, Part 1: Comparing Economic Performance in Canada and the United States (September 2026).
VisaPlace Immigration does not provide legal or financial advice. This page is for information purposes only. Figures are the latest available at the time of writing and may be revised. For legal advice, consult a licensed immigration lawyer.