Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive News Europe
  • Automotive News China
  • Automobilwoche
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • login
  • HOME
  • News
    • News by Brand
    • Auto Shows
    • Canadians Abroad
    • Photo Galleries
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • Retail
    • Dealer Best Practices
    • Government Relations
    • Trade and Tariffs
    • Technology
    • Labour
    • Aston Martin
    • BMW
      • Mini
      • Rolls Royce
    • Daimler
      • Mercedes Benz
      • Smart
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
      • Lincoln
    • General Motors
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • GMC
    • Honda
      • Acura
    • Hyundai
      • Kia
    • Mazda
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
      • Infiniti
    • Stellantis
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Chrysler
      • Dodge
      • Fiat Chrysler
      • Jeep
      • Fiat
      • Lancia
      • Maserati
      • Ram
    • Subaru
    • Tata
      • Jaguar
      • Land Rover
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
      • Lexus
    • Volkswagen
      • Audi
      • Bentley
      • Bugatti
      • Lamborghini
      • Porsche
    • Volvo
    • VinFast
    • Toronto Auto Show
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
  • Video
  • Podcasts
  • EVENTS & AWARDS
    • 2022 Auto News Canada All-Stars
    • 2022 Canadians To Watch
    • 2022 Diversity Champions
    • Best Dealerships To Work For
    • Canada Congress
    • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
    • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
    • EVs Decoded
  • Jobs & Classifieds
  • +MORE
    • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
    • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
    • WEBINARS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • CONTACT US
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • PUBLISHING PARTNERS
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Retail Salary Survey
January 16, 2023 12:00 AM

By the numbers: A statistical look at the 2023 Retail Salary Survey

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Retail Salary Survey Logo

    Based on responses to the Automotive News Canada Retail Salary Survey, the average dealership employee makes more than twice as much total compensation as a worker in the overall economy. Here's a detailed breakdown and look at all the numbers, by brand, by region, by education, and more.

    ANNUAL SALARY BREAKDOWN

    Below average 59% of population
    Average $131.2k, 12% of population
    Above average 29% of population

    Population

     
    Up to $30,000
     
    1%
    $30,000 to $49,999
     
    9%
    $50,000 to $74,999
     
    18%
    $75,000 to $99,999
     
    17%
    $100,000 to $124,999
     
    15%
    $125,000 to $149,999
     
    12%
    $150,000 to $199,999
     
    10%
    $200,000 to $224,999
     
    4%
    $225,000 to $249,999
     
    3%
    $250,000 to $299,999
     
    4%
    More than $300,000
     
    7%
    Salary includes commissions and bonuses, before taxes/deductions (thousands)
    Source: Auto Careers Group, Research + Knowledge Insights

    ANNUAL SALARY BY BRAND

    Brand

    Salary
    Porsche
     
    $128.6
    Chrysler
     
    $125.5
    Volkswagen
     
    $124.3
    Jeep
     
    $120.5
    Ram
     
    $119.0
    GMC
     
    $118.6
    Mercedes-Benz
     
    $117.3
    Dodge
     
    $115.6
    Buick
     
    $114.7
    Subaru
     
    $112.0
    Kia
     
    $111.4
    Nissan
     
    $111.1
    Audi
     
    $109.3
    Chevrolet
     
    $108.9
    Acura
     
    $108.8
    Ford
     
    $108.4
    Honda
     
    $106.3
    Toyota
     
    $104.7
    BMW
     
    $104.4
    Cadillac
     
    $102.6
    Hyundai
     
    $102.2
    Mazda
     
    $100.5
    Land Rover
     
    $99.2
    Lexus
     
    $99.1
    Infiniti
     
    $96.3
    Mini
     
    $90.8
    Volvo
     
    $90.4
    Lincoln
     
    $88.7
    Fiat
     
    $88.1
    Mitsubishi
     
    $76.5
    Salary includes commissions and bonuses
    Source: Auto Careers Group, Research + Knowledge Insights

    ANNUAL SALARY BY JOB TITLE

    Job Title

    Salary Average
    salary
    vs. 2021
    Average %
    commission
    2022
    # Hours
    worked
    2022
    Total
     
    $131.2
    $6.5 26.8% 50
    Area Manager
     
    $123.8
    $6.9 8.4% 45
    Exec Admin
     
    $124.4
    $6.1 8.1% 44
    President/Dealer Principal
     
    $218.6
    $17.9 18.9% 50
    General Manager
     
    $239.3
    $13.7 39.0% 50
    Product Advisor
     
    $91.3
    $1.0 48.2% 50
    New Car Manager
     
    $154.7
    $9.2 54.7% 50
    Pre-Owned Manager
     
    $148.6
    $2.3 44.9% 50
    General Sales Manager
     
    $161.4
    $8.3 40.6% 50
    Fixed Operations Manager
     
    $142.3
    $15.5 22.4% 50
    Service Manager
     
    $89.0
    $3.4 22.5% 50
    Service Advisor
     
    $66.7
    $3.3 29.7% 48
    Technician
     
    $75.7
    $1.8 4.7% 44
    Salary includes commissions and bonuses
    Source: Auto Careers Group, Research + Knowledge Insights

    ANNUAL SALARY BY REGION

    Region

    Salary Average
    salary
    vs. 2021
    Average %
    commission
    2022
    # Hours
    worked
    2022
    East
     
    $96.3
    $7.0 30.7% 50
    P!
     
    $118.2
    $6.4 15.0% 45
    ON
     
    $138.4
    $9.5 34.0% 50
    MB/SK
     
    $126.9
    $9.5 32.6% 50
    AB
     
    $133.2
    $2.8 34.4% 50
    BC/North
     
    $143.1
    $3.3 31.6% 48
    Salary includes commissions and bonuses
    Source: Auto Careers Group, Research + Knowledge Insights

    ANNUAL SALARY BY EDUCATION

    Education

    Salary Average
    salary
    vs. 2021
    Average %
    commission
    2022
    # Hours
    worked
    2022
    High School or less
     
    $134.7
    $7.0 45.7% 50
    Trade/Tech
     
    $89.6
    $4.8 12.9% 45
    College/CEGEP
     
    $130.2
    $8.7 33.8% 50
    University
     
    $156.3
    $7.0 35.0% 50
    Salary includes commissions and bonuses
    Source: Auto Careers Group, Research + Knowledge Insights

    ANNUAL SALARY BY AGE

    Age

    Salary Average
    salary
    vs. 2021
    Average %
    commission
    2022
    # Hours
    worked
    2022
    Gen Z/Mill
     
    $123.0
    $6.8 29.0% 46
    Gen X
     
    $139.0
    $9.3 35.2% 50
    Boomer
     
    $122.8
    $3.6 24.1% 45
    Salary includes commissions and bonuses
    Source: Auto Careers Group, Research + Knowledge Insights

    ANNUAL SALARY BY GENDER

    Gender

    Salary Average
    salary
    vs. 2021
    Average %
    commission
    2022
    # Hours
    worked
    2022
    Male
     
    $138.3
    $8.4 33.3% 50
    Female
     
    $102.4
    $5.1 26.0% 45
    Salary includes commissions and bonuses
    Source: Auto Careers Group, Research + Knowledge Insights

    ANNUAL SALARY BY GROUP

    Group

    Salary Average
    salary
    vs. 2021
    Average %
    commission
    2022
    # Hours
    worked
    2022
    Non-Minority
     
    $137.6
    $7.4 34.7% 50
    Minority
     
    $120.2
    $9.2 26.5% 48
    Salary includes commissions and bonuses
    Source: Auto Careers Group, Research + Knowledge Insights

    ANNUAL SALARY BY NUMBER OF YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY

    Years in Industry

    Salary Average
    salary
    vs. 2021
    Average %
    commission
    2022
    # Hours
    worked
    2022
    < 10
     
    $99.0
    $6.0 26.5% 50
    10-15
     
    $137.9
    $9.5 33.5% 49
    16-20
     
    $133.9
    $8.4 36.1% 49
    21-30
     
    $151.3
    $10.6 35.7% 50
    31+
     
    $127.4
    $0.5 27.6% 48
    Salary includes commissions and bonuses
    Source: Auto Careers Group, Research + Knowledge Insights

    ANNUAL SALARY BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AT THE ORGANIZATION

    Number of Employees at Organization

    Salary Average
    salary
    vs. 2021
    Average %
    commission
    2022
    # Hours
    worked
    2022
    <50
     
    $113.7
    $4.5 28.4% 48
    50+
     
    $145.9
    $9.0 35.0% 50
    Salary includes commissions and bonuses
    Source: Auto Careers Group, Research + Knowledge Insights

    ANNUAL SALARY BY COMMUNITY SIZE

    Community Size

    Salary Average
    salary
    vs. 2021
    Average %
    commission
    2022
    # Hours
    worked
    2022
    Rural
     
    $103.2
    $5.6 25.2% 45
    Town
     
    $110.3
    $5.7 26.4% 50
    Med City
     
    $135.9
    $7.3 32.0% 50
    Large City
     
    $152.8
    $8.7 38.2% 50
    Salary includes commissions and bonuses
    Source: Auto Careers Group, Research + Knowledge Insights

    REASONS FOR LEAVING THEIR JOB

    Reasons for leaving or considering leaving a workplace

     
    Worklife balance issues
     
    27%
    Increased workload without additional pay
     
    27%
    Toxic workplace culture
     
    24%
    Manager is hard to work with/not a good manager
     
    22%
    Unmanageable workload expectations
     
    17%
    Wanted to (or continue to) work from home
     
    5%
    Lack of diversity in the workplace
     
    4%
    Did not want to be vaccinated
     
    3%
    Took early retirement
     
    2%
    Found a better job while on temporary layoff due to the pandemic
     
    2%
    Childcare reasons when schools were closed
     
    1%
    None of these: Better pay/opportunities/fit only
     
    28%
    None of these: I would never consider leaving this job
     
    18%
    Salary includes commissions and bonuses, before taxes/deductions (thousands)
    Source: Auto Careers Group, Research + Knowledge Insights
    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Lower average pay for women tied to their roles
    Recommended for You
    Commissioned Saleswoman on Floor
    Lower average pay for women tied to their roles
    Money
    Here’s how much the average Canadian dealership employee makes
    Canadian Money
    Gross compensation at Canadian dealerships grew faster than inflation in 2022
    Andy Wadeson
    Sponsored Content: Expert Insights: The Implications of Rising Interest Rates
    Digital Edition
    March 2023 Cover
    View latest issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up today for our Weekly Newsletter, Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts. We'll deliver the news you need to know straight to your inbox.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe Now

    An Automotive News Canada subscription includes 12 monthly issues – delivered in print to your doorstep, and digitally to your inbox – plus unlimited, 24/7 access to our website.

    Subscribe Now
    Connect With Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Our Mission

    The Automotive News Canada mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in Canada.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Ave
    Detroit MI 48207

    1-877-812-1257

    Email Us

    ISSN 2475-5001 (print)
    ISSN 2475-501X (online)

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Digital Edition Archive
    • Advertise with Us
    • Reprints
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Canada
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
    • News
      • News by Brand
        • Aston Martin
        • BMW
          • Mini
          • Rolls Royce
        • Daimler
          • Mercedes Benz
          • Smart
        • Ferrari
        • Ford
          • Lincoln
        • General Motors
          • Buick
          • Cadillac
          • Chevrolet
          • GMC
        • Honda
          • Acura
        • Hyundai
          • Kia
        • Mazda
        • Mitsubishi
        • Nissan
          • Infiniti
        • Stellantis
          • Alfa Romeo
          • Chrysler
          • Dodge
          • Fiat Chrysler
          • Jeep
          • Fiat
          • Lancia
          • Maserati
          • Ram
        • Subaru
        • Tata
          • Jaguar
          • Land Rover
        • Tesla
        • Toyota
          • Lexus
        • Volkswagen
          • Audi
          • Bentley
          • Bugatti
          • Lamborghini
          • Porsche
        • Volvo
        • VinFast
      • Auto Shows
        • Toronto Auto Show
      • Canadians Abroad
      • Photo Galleries
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • Retail
      • Dealer Best Practices
      • Government Relations
      • Trade and Tariffs
      • Technology
      • Labour
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • EVENTS & AWARDS
      • 2022 Auto News Canada All-Stars
      • 2022 Canadians To Watch
      • 2022 Diversity Champions
      • Best Dealerships To Work For
      • Canada Congress
      • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
      • Leading Women Roundtables
      • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
      • EVs Decoded
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • +MORE
      • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
      • NEWSLETTERS
      • SUBSCRIBE
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
      • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
      • WEBINARS
      • ADVERTISE WITH US
      • CONTACT US
      • DIGITAL EDITION
      • PUBLISHING PARTNERS