PY Salary 2026: $41,191–$78,067 — Photography (Government of Canada)
Effective Date: 2024-06-22 · Verified 2026-04-26
PY rates of pay for all PY (Photography) levels in the Canadian federal public service, 2026. Salaries range from $41,191 to $78,067 across 7 levels. Category: Technical & IT. Source: Treasury Board collective agreements.
| Level | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PY-01 | $41,191 ~$31K net | $42,287 ~$32K net | $43,383 ~$33K net | $44,470 ~$34K net | $46,248 ~$35K net | — |
| PY-02 | $47,052 ~$35K net | $48,381 ~$36K net | $49,705 ~$37K net | $51,006 ~$38K net | $53,047 ~$39K net | — |
| PY-03 | $51,289 ~$38K net | $52,758 ~$39K net | $54,250 ~$40K net | $55,733 ~$41K net | $57,963 ~$43K net | — |
| PY-04 | $55,347 ~$41K net | $56,994 ~$42K net | $58,653 ~$43K net | $60,297 ~$44K net | $62,712 ~$46K net | — |
| PY-05 | $58,403 ~$43K net | $60,012 ~$44K net | $61,664 ~$45K net | $63,383 ~$46K net | $65,245 ~$47K net | $67,852 ~$49K net |
| PY-06 | $62,569 ~$46K net | $64,456 ~$47K net | $66,391 ~$48K net | $68,373 ~$49K net | $70,425 ~$50K net | $73,246 ~$52K net |
| PY-07 | $66,690 ~$48K net | $68,692 ~$49K net | $70,760 ~$51K net | $72,879 ~$52K net | $75,059 ~$53K net | $78,067 ~$55K 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
PY-01
$41,191 – $46,248
$1,584 – $1,779 biweekly (before deductions)
Rates effective from 2024-06-22 · Last verified 2026-04-26 · methodology
PY-01 pay raise history (rates from previous collective agreements)
| Effective Date | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-06-22 | $41,191 | $42,287 | $43,383 | $44,470 | $46,248 |
| 2023-06-22 | $40,282 | $41,355 | $42,426 | $43,489 | $45,228 |
| 2022-06-22 | $38,915 | $39,950 | $40,985 | $42,013 | $43,692 |
| 2021-06-22 | $37,135 | $38,123 | $39,110 | $40,091 | $41,694 |
| 2020-06-22 | $36,586 | $37,560 | $38,532 | $39,499 | $41,078 |
PY – Photography
$41,191 – $78,067
$1,584 – $3,003 biweekly (before deductions)
7 levels · Salary data from Treasury Board collective agreements
Rates effective from 2024-06-22 · Last verified 2026-04-26 · methodology
About the PY Classification
The PY (Photography) group covers photographers and imaging specialists working for the federal government. PY employees produce official photographs, documentary imagery, forensic photography, aerial photography, and specialized scientific imaging across federal departments. The largest concentrations are at National Defence (military photography and combat camera), the RCMP (forensic photography), and Library and Archives Canada (archival reproduction).
PY-01 through PY-03 cover photographers at various experience levels — from assistants to fully independent photographers handling complex assignments. PY-04 and above are senior specialists and supervisors managing photographic programs. Modern PY work has expanded well beyond traditional photography to include video production, drone imaging, digital asset management, and specialized scientific imaging techniques.
The PY group is relatively small and has evolved considerably with digital technology. Military PY photographers (combat camera operators) deploy with Canadian Armed Forces operations to document military activities — their work appears in official publications, media releases, and historical archives. RCMP PY specialists produce forensic imagery for criminal investigations. While the group has contracted as digital cameras have made basic photography accessible to non-specialists, specialized imaging skills — forensic photography, aerial survey photography, and archival preservation photography — maintain demand for dedicated PY positions.
PY Tools and Related Resources
PY net pay after federal + provincial tax, CPP, EI, PSPP
Compare with other classificationsSide-by-side PY vs AS, EC, IT, FI, PM
PY raise history vs CPICumulative raise vs Statistics Canada inflation
Other Technical & IT classifications
PY salary — frequently asked questions
What is the PY salary range?
The PY (Photography) salary range is $41,191 to $78,067 per year as of 2024-06-22, across 7 levels (PY-01, PY-02, PY-03, PY-04, PY-05, PY-06, PY-07). Rates are sourced from publicly published collective agreements.
What does PY stand for in the Government of Canada?
PY is the Treasury Board classification code for Photography positions in the Government of Canada. It covers 7 levels (PY-01, PY-02, PY-03, PY-04, PY-05, PY-06, PY-07) reflecting different levels of responsibility and seniority.
How much does a PY-01 make?
A PY-01 earns $41,191 (Step 1) to $46,248 (Step 5) per year as of 2024-06-22.
How much does a PY-02 make?
A PY-02 earns $47,052 (Step 1) to $53,047 (Step 5) per year as of 2024-06-22.
How much does a PY-03 make?
A PY-03 earns $51,289 (Step 1) to $57,963 (Step 5) per year as of 2024-06-22.
How much does a PY-04 make?
A PY-04 earns $55,347 (Step 1) to $62,712 (Step 5) per year as of 2024-06-22.
How much does a PY-05 make?
A PY-05 earns $58,403 (Step 1) to $67,852 (Step 6) per year as of 2024-06-22.
How much does a PY-06 make?
A PY-06 earns $62,569 (Step 1) to $73,246 (Step 6) per year as of 2024-06-22.
How much does a PY-07 make?
A PY-07 earns $66,690 (Step 1) to $78,067 (Step 6) per year as of 2024-06-22. PY-07 is the senior-most level in the PY group.
When was the PY pay scale last updated?
The current PY pay scale on FedPay.ca is effective 2024-06-22, with a total of 38 pay steps across 7 levels. Data is verified against Treasury Board collective agreements regularly.
What is the PY take-home pay after taxes?
PY 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 PY level and step.