Stratford Group is pleased to release the results of our 2025 Agriculture Sector Compensation & Benefits Survey, providing insights into compensation structures, benefits offerings, and workforce programs across agricultural organizations in Canada.
The survey collected data at the end of 2025 from organizations operating across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, offering a snapshot of how employers in the agriculture sector are designing compensation and total rewards programs to support their workforce.
Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector is a major contributor to the national economy and food system. In 2024, the broader agri-food system employed approximately 2.3 million people, accounted for 1 in 9 jobs in Canada, and generated roughly $149.2 billion in GDP. The sector includes primary agriculture, food and beverage processing, and the broader supply chain that connects producers to consumers.
Within this national landscape, the Stratford survey provides insights into how agricultural employers are structuring compensation, benefits, and workforce programs across several key agricultural regions.
Compensation benchmarking remains structured
70% of respondents reported following a pre-determined timeframe for benchmarking their salaries against the external market.
Merit-based increases are most common
Among participating organizations, merit or performance-based adjustments were the most frequently used type of salary increase.
Salary ranges are primarily structured by seniority
The majority of organizations (79%) reported structuring salary ranges based on seniority level, rather than by job family.
Employer-paid life insurance is common
Among organizations offering life insurance benefits, over 62% cover the full premium cost for employees.
Short-term disability coverage typically replaces two-thirds of salary
Employers that offer Short-Term Disability benefits most commonly provide income replacement of approximately two-thirds of an employee’s monthly salary, with most plans covering between 66% and 75% of earnings.
The full report includes detailed breakdowns of compensation administration practices, benefits offerings, retirement programs, and leave policies across participating agricultural organizations.
👉 Download the 2025 Agriculture Sector Compensation & Benefits Survey Report
If your organization is considering a compensation review or exploring ways to strengthen its total rewards strategy, Stratford’s team provides compensation benchmarking, salary structure development, job evaluation, and pay equity advisory services to support evidence-based decision making.