Cambridge Bay, Nunavut residents have a chance to earn a high wage this spring as Statistics Canada hires for the 2026 Census. The federal agency is looking for people to work as field enumerators; work in select northern and remote communities may begin as early as February 2026, while most hiring and collection runs March–July 2026, with peak activity in May.
In select northern and remote communities, non‑supervisory enumerators are paid $35.79 per hour (supervisors $37.79 per hour), plus authorized expenses. That rate is higher than the national base enumerator rate of $25.87 per hour; the premium is intended to help recruit local staff and reflect the higher costs and logistical challenges of working in remote areas. Enumerators go door‑to‑door to help residents complete census questionnaires and collect information about their communities.
According to the ERI Cost of Living Index, the cost of living in Cambridge Bay is roughly 55% higher than the national average. Hiring local people helps improve the accuracy of the census count, which in turn affects planning and the allocation of government programs and funding for the following five years.
Those interested in these short‑term roles can apply through Statistics Canada’s Census jobs portal (census.gc.ca/en/jobs). In a Jan. 6, 2026 news release, Statistics Canada said it is hiring approximately 32,000 people across the country for the upcoming census.
Applicants must have reached the age of majority in their province or territory of residence (in Nunavut the age of majority is 19), reside in Canada and have a Canadian home address, and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid work permit (i.e., be eligible to work in Canada). More details about the recruitment drive were also reported by outlets including Daily Hive earlier this month.
For a small community such as Cambridge Bay (population ~1,760), these short‑term federal roles can be a notable temporary boost to household incomes during the spring census period.
