Size & Sectors
The OPS consists of tens of thousands of employees working across ministries, hospitals, schools, policing, and many other sectors. According to FAO data, the broader public sector in Ontario (public administration, hospitals, education, etc.) represents a sizable part of the workforce, comprising hundreds of thousands of workers.
Age & Tenure
Many OPS employees are mid‐career or senior, with decades of experience. Age and years of service tend to correlate strongly with higher salaries, contributing to what appears on the Sunshine List. Reports from the government show growth in senior leadership diversity and overall workforce ageing.
Gender & Diversity
The OPS has published annual progress on senior leadership diversity. While overall workforce diversity is improving, representation in leadership roles still lags. For example, female representation at senior levels is lower than in the overall OPS workforce. Efforts continue in equity, inclusion, and transparency.
Employee Experience
Beyond raw demographics, how employees feel matters. The OPS Employee Experience Survey (2024) gives insights into workplace satisfaction, stress, inclusion, and intent to stay. These factors tie into workforce retention, turnover costs, and downstream effects on compensation and public service delivery.
Why It Matters
Demographics help explain why some sectors or functions have more high earners, or why salary growth is concentrated in certain roles. They also inform planning: retirements, recruitment, diversity goals, and pay equity policies all depend on who’s currently working in OPS.