Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Canada
Reload this Page >

Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

Old Jul 12th 2011, 3:01 pm
  #31  
Account Closed
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,404
jericho is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

We've just moved from Edmonton after three years. We're a family of 4 (two kids, 4 & 5), dont smoke, dont really drink, and like to eat out once or twice a week. We had one car, and a regular 3 bed house.
We struggled month to month on my salary (approx $70k).

If it's just going to be you working, with a salary of $55k in Calgary, I would say things would be very tight for you.

As an FYI, my brother came to visit us last year and was offered up to $40 an hour by Nissan and Land Rover as a mechanic/auto tech. He chose to stay in the UK though.
jericho is offline  
Old Jul 12th 2011, 3:36 pm
  #32  
I'm on a Highway to Hell
Thread Starter
 
Kris_Rocks's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: The "Country" - WA
Posts: 193
Kris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to all
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

Originally Posted by jericho
We've just moved from Edmonton after three years. We're a family of 4 (two kids, 4 & 5), dont smoke, dont really drink, and like to eat out once or twice a week. We had one car, and a regular 3 bed house.
We struggled month to month on my salary (approx $70k).

If it's just going to be you working, with a salary of $55k in Calgary, I would say things would be very tight for you.

As an FYI, my brother came to visit us last year and was offered up to $40 an hour by Nissan and Land Rover as a mechanic/auto tech. He chose to stay in the UK though.
My husband is a car mechanic has worked for a peugeot/citroen dealership for 20 odd years with a brief stint at a company making airplane tugs in between.
How did you brother get the offer did he just apply or was it through someone you know?
We are literally just dipping our toe in the water and my OH got this offer pretty quick so we are wondering wether to take it but dont want to miss an opportunity in case another doesnt come up.
Kris_Rocks is offline  
Old Jul 12th 2011, 3:36 pm
  #33  
I'm on a Highway to Hell
Thread Starter
 
Kris_Rocks's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: The "Country" - WA
Posts: 193
Kris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to all
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

Originally Posted by rico29
Hi there.

I have just returned from visiting my brother in-law in Okotoks. He said that $60k is ok to start on but to be comfortable $80k is the ceiling to aim for.

He Currently rents a 3 bed house in Okotoks which is $1200. They get paid every 2 weeks so one pay check goes towards the rent. The tax is 5% in Alberta.

If you have any questions about Okotoks then feel free to PM me.
You may regret that!!!
Kris_Rocks is offline  
Old Jul 12th 2011, 4:29 pm
  #34  
Account Closed
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,404
jericho is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

Originally Posted by Kris_Rocks
My husband is a car mechanic has worked for a peugeot/citroen dealership for 20 odd years with a brief stint at a company making airplane tugs in between.
How did you brother get the offer did he just apply or was it through someone you know?
We are literally just dipping our toe in the water and my OH got this offer pretty quick so we are wondering wether to take it but dont want to miss an opportunity in case another doesnt come up.
We simply drove him around the area with his CV and he just walked in to different dealerships. He got about 6 offers in total, and receive different advice about the red seal process, but he was very much in demand. He's only got about 5 years experience also.
jericho is offline  
Old Jul 12th 2011, 4:49 pm
  #35  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Almost Canadian's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: South of Calgary
Posts: 13,373
Almost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond reputeAlmost Canadian has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

Originally Posted by Kris_Rocks
You may regret that!!!
Would it not be better to speak to those on this forum that live in Okotoks rather than one that visited?
Almost Canadian is offline  
Old Jul 12th 2011, 6:33 pm
  #36  
I'm on a Highway to Hell
Thread Starter
 
Kris_Rocks's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: The "Country" - WA
Posts: 193
Kris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to allKris_Rocks is a name known to all
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

Originally Posted by Almost Canadian
Would it not be better to speak to those on this forum that live in Okotoks rather than one that visited?

Of course but as much info as you can get helps.
Also, they have close family that live there so any help given would not be purely based on a one time visitors opinion would it.
Kris_Rocks is offline  
Old Jul 13th 2011, 12:37 am
  #37  
 
Piff Poff's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 10,612
Piff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

Originally Posted by Kris_Rocks
My husband is a car mechanic has worked for a peugeot/citroen dealership for 20 odd years with a brief stint at a company making airplane tugs in between.
How did you brother get the offer did he just apply or was it through someone you know?
We are literally just dipping our toe in the water and my OH got this offer pretty quick so we are wondering wether to take it but dont want to miss an opportunity in case another doesnt come up.
Does he really want to work on busses/coaches then? Has he done the Red Seal/equivelency exam? Has he got a LMO approval?
Piff Poff is offline  
Old Jul 13th 2011, 12:41 am
  #38  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Toronto, Canada - Darwin NT - Newcastle NSW - Toronto - Townsville QLD - Brisbane - Toronto
Posts: 201
paularn has much to be proud ofpaularn has much to be proud ofpaularn has much to be proud ofpaularn has much to be proud ofpaularn has much to be proud ofpaularn has much to be proud ofpaularn has much to be proud ofpaularn has much to be proud ofpaularn has much to be proud ofpaularn has much to be proud ofpaularn has much to be proud of
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

Originally Posted by Kris_Rocks
BTW when do kids start school over there?
School year in Canada is generally September to June - starting/ending dates will probably vary by province.
paularn is offline  
Old Jul 13th 2011, 1:02 am
  #39  
Just Joined
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Okotoks
Posts: 23
nikkistothard is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

I live in Okotoks and my husband is currently on a similar rate to this. We have two young kids. It is safe to say that we do have to be careful about what we are spending but it can be done. The only thing I would say is you need to make sure you bring over a decent amount of money to put away as a safety net as this doesnt really allow for any big emergencies cropping up! If you wanted to have a chat about the costs of things here etc drop me a message

Last edited by nikkistothard; Jul 13th 2011 at 1:44 am.
nikkistothard is offline  
Old Jul 13th 2011, 1:31 am
  #40  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
ann m's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Cochrane, Alberta
Posts: 7,861
ann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

Take your email address off a forum .... please
ann m is offline  
Old Jul 13th 2011, 1:44 am
  #41  
Just Joined
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Okotoks
Posts: 23
nikkistothard is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

oops - sorry!
nikkistothard is offline  
Old Jul 13th 2011, 1:52 am
  #42  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
ann m's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Cochrane, Alberta
Posts: 7,861
ann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

no worries - just didn't want to you be bombarded with unwanted crappy/spammy emails
ann m is offline  
Old Jul 13th 2011, 8:49 pm
  #43  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 46
headingwest is a name known to allheadingwest is a name known to allheadingwest is a name known to allheadingwest is a name known to allheadingwest is a name known to allheadingwest is a name known to allheadingwest is a name known to allheadingwest is a name known to allheadingwest is a name known to allheadingwest is a name known to allheadingwest is a name known to all
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

I have always thought these posts are impossible to answer. There are far too many variables so maybe give us more information, if you are mortgage free, have no car payments and do little to no commuting ie living walking distance to work and you spend your free time with your children riding on bicycles/kicking a football/hillwalking and have little desire for for the latest new technology on $28/hr you are very comfy.

There is a Dr of some sort where I sail and a bit of a wanker, I'm pretty sure he makes well over £100K looking where he lives and the newish 7 series bimmer/private school for kids but listening to him blither about how hard done by he is/poorly paid etc you would think he was a skint refugee from somalia.

When my wife and I work it out, with 2 kids, if we exclude mortgage payments we really need to spend £1200/mos to live to cover the basics. Food, gas, electric, petrol, life ins, car payment, insurances, some maintenance on house/cars, pension contribution when we put it on a spread sheet over 6-mos.

My suggestion is keep a spread sheet of everything you spend over 3mos and break it down under different headings, you will be shocked where your money goes then you can decide if $28/hr is enough.
headingwest is offline  
Old Jul 15th 2011, 6:02 pm
  #44  
 
Piff Poff's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 10,612
Piff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond reputePiff Poff has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

Apparently there are a few dealerships in the Calgary area that are paying Journeyman Mechanics around $34 per hour. OH's dealership has fallen behind...
Piff Poff is offline  
Old Jul 26th 2011, 2:58 am
  #45  
Forum Regular
 
KeithSonja's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Saskatoon
Posts: 253
KeithSonja will become famous soon enoughKeithSonja will become famous soon enough
Default Re: Is $28 an hour a decent wage for Calgary?

Just a thought is that the starting wage? only I did 3 months and got another couple of dollars an hour more... also watch because I found if i did more than 8 hours overtime the dreaded tax man hit me so anything more than that i banked and had time off and saved child care when I could, like PD days (teacher training) and there is lots of those...
KeithSonja is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.