2025 Cannabis Salary Trends: Roles, Raises & What’s Next
As the cannabis industry enters a new phase of maturity in Canada, the 2025 White Ash Group Salary Guide offers a data-rich snapshot of compensation, benefits, and career trends across every corner of the sector—from retail to executive suites. Whether you're hiring or job-hunting, here are the most important takeaways you need to know.
Top Jobs in Cannabis
The industry's evolution is driving demand for roles across cultivation, retail, manufacturing, and tech. These roles stood out:
Retail: Budtenders & Beyond
Budtenders remain the frontline heroes, earning $17.20–$26/hour, but often below living wage standards.
Over 54% received raises or promotions last year.
Passion fuels performance: Budtenders average 7.4/10 job satisfaction and influence 62% of purchase decisions.
Executive Roles: Big Responsibility, Bigger Paychecks
CEO/COO/CFO salaries range from $150K–$300K, with equity and bonuses becoming retention tools.
VP-level roles in Ops, Sales, and Marketing saw the biggest salary jumps this year.
Emerging Roles to Watch
Director of Extraction ($80K–$130K) and Edibles Specialist ($55K–$100K) show rising demand for specialized manufacturing.
Chief of Quality & Regulatory Affairs roles command $150K–$300K—critical as the industry faces tightening compliance.
Vacation & Benefits: How Cannabis Employers Stack Up
With talent competition heating up, benefits are a battleground. Here's what employees are getting:
Vacation Trends
While the standard remains 2–3 weeks PTO, 30% of surveyed professionals report flexible or unlimited vacation options.
Only 31% of Canadians take all their vacation—yet they often work 13+ extra hours to prep or catch up.
Popular Perks Offered
Health benefits are provided by 88% of employers.
Dental, vision, and retirement plans are common, but flexible work options and remote setups are on the rise.
Emerging Benefit Trends
49% offer women’s health coverage; 70% cover fertility treatments.
Gender-affirming care and neurodiversity support are gaining traction as key differentiators.
Industry Job Satisfaction
Despite the plant passion, challenges persist:
Overall cannabis job satisfaction sits at 6.7/10—below the Canadian average of 7.7.
Top motivators: growth potential, community, and culture.
Top frustrations: industry instability, lack of recognition, and poor management structures.
Final Takeaways for 2025
Cannabis remains a growth sector, but workers want more stability, benefits, and career clarity.
Equity and inclusion are more than buzzwords—they're fast becoming strategic imperatives.
If you're hiring, offering competitive pay plus holistic benefits is no longer optional—it's expected.
Want to attract top cannabis talent in 2025? It’s not just about pay—it's about purpose, perks, and a pathway to grow.
For more insights or to access the full report, download here.
