Nunavut increased wage scale rates for early childhood educators
Nunavut has increased the pay rates on its wage scale for Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) staff by 3.9% as of April 1, 202. This increase is funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada ‒ Nunavut Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
The Wage Scale program sets a recommended minimum wage for ELCC staff to ensure fair compensation and support recruitment and retention. Licensed child care centres serving children aged 0-6 can apply for contribution funding to top up staff wages to the recommended levels.
| Nunavut ECE Wage Scale (effective April 1, 2024) | ||||
| Step | Years of experience | Level 1 Hourly wage | Level 2 hourly wage (ECE Certificate) | Level 3 Hourly wage (ECE Diploma) |
| Management | ||||
| 1 | 0 | $38.90 | $41.66 | $44.61 |
| 2 | 1 | $39.90 | $42.72 | $45.76 |
| 3 | 2 | $40.92 | $43.83 | $46.93 |
| 4 | 3 | $41.97 | $44.95 | $48.14 |
| 5 | 4 | $43.04 | $46.09 | $49.36 |
| 6 | 5+ | $44.14 | $42.27 | $50.63 |
| Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Category | ||||
| 1 | 0 | $27.45 | $29.40 | $31.48 |
| 2 | 1 | $28.16 | $30.15 | $32.29 |
| 3 | 2 | $28.87 | $30.92 | $33.12 |
| 4 | 3 | $29.61 | $31.72 | $33.96 |
| 5 | 4 | $30.37 | $32.53 | $34.84 |
| 6 | 5+ | $31.15 | $33.36 | $35.73 |
| Program Support category | ||||
| 1 | 0 | $24.88 | ||
| 2 | 1 | $25.52 | ||
| 3 | 2 | $26.17 | ||
| 4 | 3 | $26.84 | ||
| 5 | 4 | $27.52 | ||
| 6 | 5+ | $28.23 | ||
| Centre support category | ||||
| 1 | 0 | $24.63 | ||
| 2 | 1 | $25.27 | ||
| 3 | 2 | $25.91 | ||
| 4 | 3 | $26.58 | ||
| 5 | 4 | $27.26 | ||
| 6 | 5+ | $27.96 | ||
The wage scale includes four categories: Management, Early Childhood Educator, Program Support, and Centre Support, with pay levels based on years of experience and job responsibilities within each category.
Additionally, the educational level of early childhood educator certification determine wages for Management and Early Childhood Educators.
Furthermore, a Northern Allowance ranging from $7.70/hour to $14.63/hour is available as an additional hourly rate that is paid for all standard working hours, including paid vacation and sick leave.
Nunavut’s Wage Scale program took effect in October 2023, replacing the previous temporary $4.50/hour wage top-up as well as retention bonus.
For more details, visit the Government of Nunavut’s Wage Scale Program page.