LI Salary 2026: $46,061–$85,274 — Lightkeepers (Government of Canada)
Effective Date: 2024-08-05 · Verified 2026-04-26
LI rates of pay for all LI (Lightkeepers) levels in the Canadian federal public service, 2026. Salaries range from $46,061 to $85,274 across 9 levels. Category: Operational. Source: Treasury Board collective agreements.
| Level | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LI-01 | $46,061 ~$35K net | $47,342 ~$35K net | $48,582 ~$36K net | $49,862 ~$37K net | $51,126 ~$38K net |
| LI-02 | $46,575 ~$35K net | $48,266 ~$36K net | $50,008 ~$37K net | $51,728 ~$38K net | $53,450 ~$40K net |
| LI-03 | $50,936 ~$38K net | $52,599 ~$39K net | $54,257 ~$40K net | $55,918 ~$41K net | — |
| LI-04 | $54,748 ~$41K net | $56,334 ~$42K net | $57,948 ~$43K net | $59,519 ~$44K net | — |
| LI-05 | $58,632 ~$43K net | $60,261 ~$44K net | $61,872 ~$45K net | $63,472 ~$46K net | — |
| LI-06 | $62,651 ~$46K net | $64,543 ~$47K net | $66,441 ~$48K net | $68,349 ~$49K net | — |
| LI-07 | $67,927 ~$49K net | $69,744 ~$50K net | $71,595 ~$51K net | $73,427 ~$52K net | — |
| LI-08 | $73,672 ~$52K net | $75,491 ~$53K net | $77,304 ~$55K net | $79,099 ~$56K net | — |
| LI-09 | $79,082 ~$56K net | $80,934 ~$57K net | $82,795 ~$58K net | $85,274 ~$59K 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
LI-01
$46,061 – $51,126
$1,772 – $1,966 biweekly (before deductions)
Rates effective from 2024-08-05 · Last verified 2026-04-26 · methodology
LI-01 pay raise history (rates from previous collective agreements)
| Effective Date | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-08-05 | $46,061 | $47,342 | $48,582 | $49,862 | $51,126 |
| 2023-08-05 | $45,045 | $46,298 | $47,511 | $48,763 | $49,999 |
| 2022-08-05 | $43,516 | $44,726 | $45,898 | $47,107 | $48,301 |
| 2020-08-05 | $40,912 | $42,049 | $43,151 | $44,288 | $45,411 |
LI – Lightkeepers
$46,061 – $85,274
$1,772 – $3,280 biweekly (before deductions)
9 levels · Salary data from Treasury Board collective agreements
Rates effective from 2024-08-05 · Last verified 2026-04-26 · methodology
About the LI Classification
The LI (Lightkeepers) group covers the operators of Canada's remaining staffed lighthouses, primarily on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. LI employees maintain lighthouse equipment, monitor weather and marine conditions, report vessel movements, and provide emergency assistance to mariners. The group is one of the most distinctive classifications in the federal public service — lightkeepers live and work at remote coastal stations, often accessible only by boat or helicopter.
LI positions are concentrated in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador, where the Canadian Coast Guard maintains staffed light stations. The work involves operating fog signals, maintaining marine navigation lights, recording meteorological observations, and monitoring radio communications. Many stations are staffed by two-person teams (often couples) who live on-site for extended periods. The LI scale spans multiple levels reflecting the varying complexity and remoteness of different light stations.
The LI group has been the subject of ongoing political debate about whether to automate or destaf remaining lighthouses. Advocates for maintaining staffed stations argue that lightkeepers provide irreplaceable eyes-on-the-water capability for search and rescue, weather observation, and maritime safety that automated systems cannot replicate. The group is represented by PSAC and, despite its small size, has attracted significant public attention due to the romantic and historically significant nature of lighthouse keeping.
LI Tools and Related Resources
LI net pay after federal + provincial tax, CPP, EI, PSPP
Compare with other classificationsSide-by-side LI vs AS, EC, IT, FI, PM
LI raise history vs CPICumulative raise vs Statistics Canada inflation
Other Operational classifications
LI salary — frequently asked questions
What is the LI salary range?
The LI (Lightkeepers) salary range is $46,061 to $85,274 per year as of 2024-08-05, across 9 levels (LI-01, LI-02, LI-03, LI-04, LI-05, LI-06, LI-07, LI-08, LI-09). Rates are sourced from publicly published collective agreements.
What does LI stand for in the Government of Canada?
LI is the Treasury Board classification code for Lightkeepers positions in the Government of Canada. It covers 9 levels (LI-01, LI-02, LI-03, LI-04, LI-05, LI-06, LI-07, LI-08, LI-09) reflecting different levels of responsibility and seniority.
How much does a LI-01 make?
A LI-01 earns $46,061 (Step 1) to $51,126 (Step 5) per year as of 2024-08-05.
How much does a LI-02 make?
A LI-02 earns $46,575 (Step 1) to $53,450 (Step 5) per year as of 2024-08-05.
How much does a LI-03 make?
A LI-03 earns $50,936 (Step 1) to $55,918 (Step 4) per year as of 2024-08-05.
How much does a LI-04 make?
A LI-04 earns $54,748 (Step 1) to $59,519 (Step 4) per year as of 2024-08-05.
How much does a LI-05 make?
A LI-05 earns $58,632 (Step 1) to $63,472 (Step 4) per year as of 2024-08-05.
How much does a LI-06 make?
A LI-06 earns $62,651 (Step 1) to $68,349 (Step 4) per year as of 2024-08-05.
How much does a LI-07 make?
A LI-07 earns $67,927 (Step 1) to $73,427 (Step 4) per year as of 2024-08-05.
How much does a LI-08 make?
A LI-08 earns $73,672 (Step 1) to $79,099 (Step 4) per year as of 2024-08-05.
How much does a LI-09 make?
A LI-09 earns $79,082 (Step 1) to $85,274 (Step 4) per year as of 2024-08-05. LI-09 is the senior-most level in the LI group.
When was the LI pay scale last updated?
The current LI pay scale on FedPay.ca is effective 2024-08-05, with a total of 38 pay steps across 9 levels. Data is verified against Treasury Board collective agreements regularly.
What is the LI take-home pay after taxes?
LI 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 LI level and step.