Income Level: Calgary Vs Edmonton

[pylon]

So what you all are saying is, not only do you HAVE to live in the Soviet era architecture, you also get paid less to do so? Wow, Edmonton really does have nothing going for it.

[Northendzone]

in edmonton your pay just goes further - for a career person to get proper clothing to work in Calgary $500ish at Moores - for a career minded Edmontonian - $22.99 for a new pair of sweat pants or $28 if they also need a new fanny pack

[darklord700]

Has anyone been transferred within the same company for the same role from Calgary to Edmonton or vice versa, and got a pay increase because of it?

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

in edmonton your pay just goes further - for a career person to get proper clothing to work in Calgary $500ish at Moores - for a career minded Edmontonian - $22.99 for a new pair of sweat pants or $28 if they also need a new fanny pack

Good shoes?

[metallicat]

In which city do the meth dealers make more? I suspect Edmonton. Winning.

[squiggs96]

I worked for KPMG in Edmonton and Calgary. I made more in Calgary at the same level. I worked significantly longer hours in Calgary, but I made a higher salary and was able to bank OT hours. I think Edmonton now allows OT banking for those below a manager, but it's been a while since I've been there.Calgary also pays significantly more than Vancouver, especially if you are in tax.

To answer darklord's question, yes I got a raise for the same position when moving from Edmonton back to Calgary.

[OldDutch]

Some things to ponder:

1. Calgary has more Head Office's by far, with centralized operations in Calgary. The Major Oil Players are in Calgary by and large for white collar.
2. Stock options which can make you very rich, very quick are in white collar only. I know the field staff gets bonus, but I'm talking the big options that are given to you when you join a Oil firm.
3. Head Office's will hire more consultants in the HO location. Consulting is another way to make huge cash.

So I would suspect on average they are about the same. However, ceiling is massively higher for a broader audience in Calgary, no question. Private companies just do not hand out the rates, and stocks like the HO in Calgary do.

That is just my experience.

EDIT: I mean stock options and rate to as large an audience. I know there are these jobs in Edmonton, just way less of them to be had

[Arsenal14]

The Alberta Wage Survey for 2010 was recently released: http://alis.alberta.ca/wageinfo/Cont...Page&Page=Home

You can check each occupation by region so you can check whatever job you want. For Software Engineer there is a small gap with Calgary being slightly higher on average.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Mtt48

No way people in Montreal make more than in Calgary. I lived there for years and you make very little. Granted, housing and food prices are really low, but based on income Montreal isn't even close to Calgary.

Salaries in Calgary are, in general, higher than anywhere else in the country except Toronto. Calgary still suffers from a labour shortage in many areas and pays a premium to attract people.

Calgary, due to the oil and gas market, per capita requires more skilled labour than all the other major cities. You're going to find that any kind of professional or ticketed tradesman, will make more in Calgary than other major cities, except Toronto. In Toronto the money from the securities market and the proximity to America keeps salaries high.

[psicodude]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Here it is.
http://lifewise.canoe.ca/Microgaller.../17284981.html

And yes, Montreal was higher than Calgary.

Edit:
Oops, looks like no Edmonton on there.

That "survey" is crap. Montreal is exactly 3.5% higher for every job listed. They didn't do any real research. They just decided Montreal wages are 3.5% higher than Calgary and made the rest up.

And you have to love the irony of this one:

Job: Senior online editor (at least for years experience).

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by psicodude

That "survey" is crap. Montreal is exactly 3.5% higher for every job listed. They didn't do any real research. They just decided Montreal wages are 3.5% higher than Calgary and made the rest up.

And you have to love the irony of this one:

Job: Senior online editor (at least for years experience).

The underlined portion actually seems pretty self-aware to me. Obviously they urgently require editing skills, and they're looking to hire someone who has those skills.

[saskflames69]

Screw Fargo, ND, I'm moving to Calgary after university.

[puffnstuff]

When I found out the guy in Edmonton that was doing the exact same job as me (same company), but for 10K less (5 years ago, this was) I put it on my list.
It became reason #56 on my big 'Reasons NOT to Live in Edmonton' list.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by pylon

So what you all are saying is, not only do you HAVE to live in the Soviet era architecture, you also get paid less to do so? Wow, Edmonton really does have nothing going for it.

AND all the politicians are there.

Three strikes...

[MoneyGuy]

Champion's income has got to really drive up Edmonton's average.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by psicodude

That "survey" is crap.

Don't shoot the messenger. I'm sure there are lots of surveys and they probably all have holes that can be poked in them.

[Lt.Spears]

All this thread is teaching me is that i need to get an accounting designation.

[GP_Matt]

Our company has the same pay grades throughout Alberta. There are ranges but everyone in the position is within the range specified. We considered setting different salaries based on cost of living throughout the province but it becomes difficult. ie. What factor does quality of life make up. Northern regions have a higher cost of living but much shorter commutes.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Lawyers used to make significantly more in Calgary. I'm sure that's still true, but not sure if it's to the same extent.

It is still true. By quite a bit.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Good shoes?

Croc knockoffs for the winter and mesh for the other non-winter weather.......$13 - $ 25 if the purchaser has to go new