HR Salary 2026: $73,250–$135,867 — Historical Research (Government of Canada)
Effective Date: 2025-10-01 · Verified 2026-04-26
HR rates of pay for all HR (Historical Research) levels in the Canadian federal public service, 2026. Salaries range from $73,250 to $135,867 across 5 levels. Category: Science & Policy. Source: Treasury Board collective agreements.
| Level | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HR-1 | $73,250 ~$52K net | $75,909 ~$54K net | $78,572 ~$55K net | $81,240 ~$57K net | — |
| HR-2 | $81,970 ~$57K net | $84,859 ~$59K net | $87,763 ~$61K net | $90,664 ~$63K net | $93,383 ~$64K net |
| HR-3 | $93,783 ~$65K net | $97,126 ~$67K net | $100,475 ~$69K net | $103,815 ~$71K net | — |
| HR-4 | $109,026 ~$74K net | $113,071 ~$77K net | $117,109 ~$79K net | $121,148 ~$82K net | — |
| HR-5 | $117,703 ~$80K net | $123,756 ~$83K net | $129,812 ~$87K net | $135,867 ~$90K net | — |
Net estimates assume Ontario, no dependents, PSPP Group 2 (post-2013 hire). Use the calculator for your full situation including province, marital status, RRSP, union dues, and pension group.
Select a level for full step breakdown
HR-1
$73,250 – $81,240
$2,817 – $3,125 biweekly (before deductions)
Rates effective from 2025-10-01 · Last verified 2026-04-26 · methodology
HR-1 pay raise history (rates from previous collective agreements)
| Effective Date | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-01 | $73,250 | $75,909 | $78,572 | $81,240 |
| 2024-10-01 | $71,814 | $74,421 | $77,031 | $79,647 |
| 2023-10-01 | $70,230 | $72,779 | $75,332 | $77,890 |
| 2022-10-01 | $67,846 | $70,308 | $72,774 | $75,245 |
| 2021-10-01 | $64,742 | $67,092 | $69,445 | $71,803 |
HR – Historical Research
$73,250 – $135,867
$2,817 – $5,226 biweekly (before deductions)
5 levels · Salary data from Treasury Board collective agreements
Rates effective from 2025-10-01 · Last verified 2026-04-26 · methodology
About the HR Classification
The HR (Historical Research) group covers historians, archivists, and historical researchers working in the federal government. HR employees work primarily at Library and Archives Canada, Parks Canada, the Canadian War Museum, the Canadian Museum of History, and the Department of National Defence's Directorate of History and Heritage. Their work involves conducting original historical research, managing archival collections, curating exhibits, and providing historical expertise to support government programs.
HR-01 covers junior researchers and archival assistants. HR-02 is the working-level historian or archivist conducting independent research and collection management. HR-03 and above cover senior historians, chief archivists, and managers of historical programs. Most HR positions require graduate degrees in history, archival science, or museum studies, with PhDs common for senior research positions.
The HR group is one of the smaller federal classifications, reflecting the limited but important role of historical expertise in government. Federal historians at Parks Canada interpret nationally significant historic sites, while those at Library and Archives Canada manage one of the world's largest archival collections. Military historians at DND document Canadian Armed Forces operations and maintain the institutional memory of Canada's defence establishment. Despite modest pay compared to other professional classifications, HR positions offer unique access to historical materials and the opportunity to shape how Canadians understand their national story.
HR Tools and Related Resources
HR net pay after federal + provincial tax, CPP, EI, PSPP
Compare with other classificationsSide-by-side HR vs AS, EC, IT, FI, PM
HR raise history vs CPICumulative raise vs Statistics Canada inflation
Other Science & Policy classifications
HR salary — frequently asked questions
What is the HR salary range?
The HR (Historical Research) salary range is $73,250 to $135,867 per year as of 2025-10-01, across 5 levels (HR-1, HR-2, HR-3, HR-4, HR-5). Rates are sourced from publicly published collective agreements.
What does HR stand for in the Government of Canada?
HR is the Treasury Board classification code for Historical Research positions in the Government of Canada. It covers 5 levels (HR-1, HR-2, HR-3, HR-4, HR-5) reflecting different levels of responsibility and seniority.
How much does a HR-1 make?
A HR-1 earns $73,250 (Step 1) to $81,240 (Step 4) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a HR-2 make?
A HR-2 earns $81,970 (Step 1) to $93,383 (Step 5) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a HR-3 make?
A HR-3 earns $93,783 (Step 1) to $103,815 (Step 4) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a HR-4 make?
A HR-4 earns $109,026 (Step 1) to $121,148 (Step 4) per year as of 2025-10-01.
How much does a HR-5 make?
A HR-5 earns $117,703 (Step 1) to $135,867 (Step 4) per year as of 2025-10-01. HR-5 is the senior-most level in the HR group.
When was the HR pay scale last updated?
The current HR pay scale on FedPay.ca is effective 2025-10-01, with a total of 21 pay steps across 5 levels. Data is verified against Treasury Board collective agreements regularly.
What is the HR take-home pay after taxes?
HR take-home pay depends on your level, step, province, and pension group. Use the FedPay.ca take-home pay calculator at fedpay.ca/take-home to see your net pay after federal tax, provincial tax, CPP, EI, and Public Service Pension Plan contributions for any HR level and step.