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Patient care attendant: $29.40/hLicensed practical nurse: $27.78 to $37.08/hNurse: $29.61 to $47.48/hNurse practitioner: $34.86 to $73.20/hRespiratory therapist: $29.12 to $45.20/hNext increase: April 1, 2027Patient care attendant DEP: 705 hoursLicensed practical nurse DEP: 1,800 hoursPatient care attendant: $29.40/hLicensed practical nurse: $27.78 to $37.08/hNurse: $29.61 to $47.48/hNurse practitioner: $34.86 to $73.20/hRespiratory therapist: $29.12 to $45.20/hNext increase: April 1, 2027Patient care attendant DEP: 705 hoursLicensed practical nurse DEP: 1,800 hours

Working in Quebec's health network

What you need to know about working in the health network in Quebec: the employer, the occupations and their salaries, the collective agreements, the pension plan, working hours and mandatory training, with links to each of our articles.

Updated on October 15, 2026. Figures taken from official sources consulted from October 10 to 14, 2026.

The employer: Santé Québec

Santé Québec has been the single employer of the health and social services network staff since December 1, 2024, according to Québec.ca. The entry point is the Santé Québec careers page, which lists institutions by region. On October 10, 2026, it lists 16 regions and 30 institutions. Each institution's name leads to its recruitment site, where job offers are posted.

Where to apply, by occupation: patient care attendant, licensed practical nurse and nurse.

Occupations and their salaries

Each job in the network has a title and a number in the job title nomenclature. The nomenclature sets the description, the requirements and the salary scale. A few titles, as of April 1, 2026:

Job titleNumberHourly rate as of April 1, 2026
Patient care attendant3480$29.40, single rate
Licensed practical nurse3455$27.78 to $37.08
Nurse2471$29.61 to $47.48
Respiratory therapist2244$29.12 to $45.20
Nurse practitioner1915Up to $73.20 at the top step

Source: network job title nomenclature, version of September 15, 2026. Evening, night and weekend premiums are added. Under the FIQ agreement, they are 7%, 14% and 5% of the hourly salary at the base rate.

Collective agreements

Salaries, premiums and the number of days off are negotiated nationally. Under the R-8.2 Act, 26 matters are negotiated in each institution. The FIQ national agreement, which covers nurses, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists, is in force from December 15, 2024 to March 31, 2028. Its paragraph 7.27 raises the scales by 2.50% in 2026 and by 3.50% on April 1, 2027. The CPNSSS publishes the agreements on its website. The FIQ agreement, explained

Pension: the RREGOP

Regular and casual employees of the network, full-time or part-time, must participate in the RREGOP, according to Retraite Québec. In 2026, the contribution is 8.63% of pensionable salary above $18,650 for full-time work. An unreduced pension is generally available at age 61, after 35 years of service, or at 60 with the factor 90. It is worth 2% per year of service, up to 40 years, times the average salary of the best 5 years. Retirement from age 55 is possible, with a permanent reduction of 6% per year of early retirement. The RREGOP, explained

Hours and overtime

Section 59.0.1 of the Act respecting labour standards allows an employee to refuse to work more than 14 hours in a 24-hour period or more than 50 hours in a week, with exceptions. The right to refuse does not apply when there is a danger to the life, health or safety of the public. Paragraph 19.14 of the FIQ agreement limits mandatory overtime to urgent and exceptional situations. Mandatory overtime: what the law and the agreement say

The end of staffing agencies

The use of staffing agencies and independent labour ends on October 18, 2026 in the last seven regions, with exceptions. The regulation caps the hourly rate an agency can bill: $71.87 for a nurse, $47.65 for a licensed practical nurse and $41.96 for a patient care attendant. Private healthcare agencies and what the law still allows

Training to keep up to date

A nurse must complete 20 hours of continuing education per year, at least 7 of them accredited, under the OIIQ standard. A licensed practical nurse must complete 10 hours per 2-year period, and a respiratory therapist 30 hours per 2-year period. The patient care attendant's PDSP card has no expiry date, according to the ASSTSAS. The table of training to keep up to date

All our articles on the network

The occupations: patient care attendant, licensed practical nurse, respiratory therapist, and hospital colour codes.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find jobs in the health sector in Quebec?

In the public network, on the Santé Québec careers page, which lists institutions by region: 16 regions and 30 institutions on October 10, 2026. Each institution has its own recruitment site. Santé Québec also runs emplois.sante.quebec for jobs at its head office.

What jobs are there in the health field?

The public network nomenclature gives each job a title and a number. Among them: patient care attendant (3480), licensed practical nurse (3455), nurse (2471), respiratory therapist (2244) and nurse practitioner (1915). Each title has its own training requirements and salary scale.

What are the salaries at Santé Québec?

They follow the network nomenclature scales. As of April 1, 2026, a patient care attendant earns $29.40 an hour, a licensed practical nurse $27.78 to $37.08, a nurse $29.61 to $47.48 and a respiratory therapist $29.12 to $45.20. Premiums are added.

At what age can I retire under the RREGOP without a penalty?

Generally at 61, or after 35 years of service, or at 60 with the factor 90. Before these thresholds, a reduced pension is available from age 55, with a permanent reduction of 6% per year of early retirement.

How much does the RREGOP cost on my pay?

In 2026, the contribution is 8.63% of pensionable salary above $18,650 for full-time work. For a salary of $80,000, Retraite Québec calculates $5,294.51 for the year. Overtime is not part of pensionable salary.

What is the new law on staffing agencies?

It is the Act to limit the use of personnel placement agencies and independent labour in the health and social services sector, assented to on April 20, 2023. The regulation in Order in Council 1485-2024 sets the maximum rates and the deadlines by region.

Until when is the FIQ collective agreement in force?

Until March 31, 2028. It took effect on December 15, 2024. Local provisions remain in effect after the national provisions expire, under section 59 of the R-8.2 Act.

Sources