Quick Answer: Yes. RCMP recruits get paid during training. As of April 1, 2026, cadets at Depot Division receive $1,000 per week throughout the full 26-week program — up from the previous $525/week rate. Accommodation, meals, uniforms, and travel to Depot are all covered on top of that allowance.
For the complete pay grid, benefits, and take-home estimates, see our RCMP salary guide.
The short answer is yes, but the full picture is more useful than that. RCMP depot pay has three phases — the cadet allowance during training, a constable salary that kicks in the day you graduate, and two more pay increases within your first two years. Here is how each stage works.
How Much Do RCMP Recruits Get Paid at Depot?
As of April 1, 2026, the RCMP cadet training allowance is $1,000 per week. Across 26 weeks, that totals approximately $26,000 in training pay. The rate nearly doubled from the previous $525/week figure — the National Police Federation negotiated the increase as part of the collective agreement overhaul.
That $1,000 is essentially discretionary income. The RCMP covers your essential costs at Depot separately.
What the RCMP Covers Beyond the Weekly Allowance
During the 26-week Cadet Training Program, the RCMP provides:
- Accommodation at Depot Division in Regina
- All meals through the Division Mess
- Uniforms and required training equipment
- Travel to and from Depot at the start and end of training
- Access to on-site sports and recreation facilities
For members of underrepresented groups accepted into the Diverse and Inclusive Pre-Cadet Experience (DICE) — a 3-week preparation program that runs before the main Cadet Training Program — all travel, uniform, meal, and accommodation costs are also fully covered by the RCMP.
RCMP Depot Pay After Graduation: The Three-Level Progression
The day you graduate from Depot,
Constable pay rises on a fixed grid — you do not need a promotion to move from $71,191 toward $115,350. Map cadet allowance, base salary, overtime, and isolated-post allowances separately when you budget for Depot and your first posting.
Level 3 Constable — This is your rank the moment you graduate Depot and are formally employed by the force. You receive the full constable starting salary and immediate access to RCMP health and dental coverage. Pension contributions also begin at this point.
Level 2 Constable — After completing the six-month Field Coaching Program at your first posting, you are promoted to Level 2. This comes with a salary increase. The Field Coaching Program pairs you with an experienced officer for supervised operational duty in the field.
Level 1 Constable — Once you finish your full probationary period, you are promoted to Level 1 Constable and receive another pay increase. This marks the end of the formal probationary phase of your RCMP career.
As of 2026, new Level 3 constables start at $71,191 annually and reach $115,350 within 36 months of service. For the complete pay grid across all ranks, the RCMP salary hub covers each step in detail.
Benefits That Come with RCMP Depot Pay and Beyond
Beyond the paycheque, RCMP cadet pay comes with a package of benefits that starts at graduation and compounds over a career.
Pension: Contributions to the RCMP pension plan begin immediately upon graduating Depot as a Level 3 Constable. The RCMP offers a defined-benefit pension — one of the more secure retirement structures available in Canada.
Life insurance: Members can opt into a group life insurance plan as soon as they become Level 3 Constables. Coverage is available at a group rate.
Medical and dental: Full health and dental coverage through RCMP Health Services begins at Level 3. The RCMP also covers the cost of mandatory medical and psychological assessments during the recruitment process itself — those costs do not come out of your pocket as an applicant.
For a full picture of what the complete RCMP application process looks like before you reach Depot, the RCMP application guide covers each stage from online assessment through to the training offer.
Yes. As of April 1, 2026, cadets receive $1,000 per week throughout the 26-week program at Depot Division.
The previous RCMP cadet training allowance was $525 per week. It increased to $1,000 on April 1, 2026.
Yes. Accommodation, all meals, uniforms, equipment, and travel to Depot are covered by the RCMP on top of the weekly allowance.
Pension contributions begin the day you graduate Depot as a Level 3 Constable — before your first operational shift.
Sources:
RCMP salary and benefits
Police officer pay and benefits
This article reflects current RCMP policy based on official government documentation. Eligibility and suitability decisions are assessed on a case-by-case basis during the application process.
