While it might not surprise most, Metro Vancouver mayors make quite a bit of money compared to the average worker.
In the wake of a cost-of-living crisis for many BC and Metro Vancouver residents, conversations emerged on social media over the last week about the salaries of some mayors.
The bottom line is that Metro Vancouver mayors are making quite a bit more than a living wage, and here’s how it is broken down by city.
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Most cities in Metro Vancouver share information about expenses and salaries in a yearly report called the Statement of Financial Information (SOFI). Some cities list both wages and expenses, while others only list salaries.
Many of these Metro Vancouver mayors are earning more money than listed below since the numbers that are publicly available are 2023 numbers, except for the City of Vancouver, which has shared 2025 numbers. Various bonuses and gifts should also be considered in addition to the numbers below.
We’ve pulled the most recent publicly available data for the biggest Metro Vancouver cities.
For a baseline, we’ll turn to Zip Recruiter‘s analysis of the average Vancouver wage. The recruitment publication says Vancouverites earn $104,162 for top earners, and the average middle-income earner makes $69,512 annually. Metro Vancouver’s living wage is $27.05 per hour or just over $52,000 annually.
Vancouver
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim will earn $210,444 plus an annual supplement of $3,048 in 2025, an increase from $205,914 in 2024. Compared to 2022, that marks an even more significant increase, as the City of Vancouver website says the mayor earned $185,595 that year, meaning an increase of $24,849 over three years.
The number is likely quite a bit larger when expenses are factored in.
Vancouver councillors are also earning a salary that some would be jealous of. In 2025, they will earn $104,180, up from $91,879 in 2022.
Burnaby
Burnaby’s salary data is available as of 2023.
In 2023, Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley made a little bit less ($195,393) than Sim did the same year ($199,143). Taking expenses and other allowances into account, the total Hurley made in 2023 based on Burnaby’s SOFI was $234,604.
Burnaby councillors received a base salary of between $88,659 and $89,392 and up to an additional $25,000 in allowances and expenses.
Richmond
Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie has been in the line of fire thanks to some publications pointing out how much money he makes.
In 2023, Brodie earned $198,437 for his base salary, $26,797 flagged under “benefits and other,” and $11,142 for expenses. He also earned $28,211 from the Municipal Finance Authority of BC for 2024/2025.
Brodie was on the Jill Bennett Show on CKNW Radio on Tuesday, where he was put on the hot seat about his salary. Bennett ended the interview with one final question in which she said, “The President of the United States makes about $400,000 a year. Does it make sense to you that the Mayor of Richmond is making close to the same salary?”
Brodie responded, “Thank you, Jill. It’s been a pleasure to talk to you.”
Surrey
In 2023, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke earned $208,983, including the separation allowance, taxable benefits, and expenses. Councillors earned up to $122,221, and the city council, including the mayor, made a total of $1,144,810.
Port Coquitlam
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West may be one of Metro Vancouver’s most vocal and young leaders.
With temperatures dropping overnight, we are hard at work, ensuring every single street in Port Coquitlam is brined with our own mix of anti-icing solution.
We’ll continue this focus for as long as needed, making sure our roads, sidewalks, and paths are as safe as possible for… pic.twitter.com/DTBYjJJj7A
— Brad West (@BradWestPoCo) January 21, 2025
In 2023, West earned $141,291, which makes up a much larger wage gap between him and his councillors versus other municipalities. Including expenses, West earned $168,732. The most a councillor earned, including expenses, was $59,048.
North Vancouver
Linda Buchanan, mayor of the City of North Vancouver, not to be confused with the District of North Vancouver, earned $134,449. Buchanan also received $4,513 in benefits, $3,557 in expenses, and $9,552 for a car allowance.
Other councillors seemed to be capped at $48,173 and up to $11,115 in expenses.
New Westminster
Patrick Johnstone, the New Westminster mayor, earned $149,591 in 2023. On top of his remuneration, he had an additional $2,95 from conferences, $273 from sponsored events, $2,513 from conferences and seminars and $12,698 designated as “other.”
New Westminster councillors made $59,767.
Delta
Delta Mayor Georgia Harvie made $178,101 in 2023, plus a car allowance of $18,988, benefits of $1,269, and expenses of $3,183.
Most of Delta’s councillors made $75,962 plus expenses, except Dylan Kruger, who made $93,839 plus his expenses.
Do you think the amount of money Metro Vancouver mayors are earning, compared to the average salary, is fair for the work they do in their respective cities? Chime in in the comments.