The Canadian population of Pileated Woodpecker is monitored fairly well by both the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), although both programs are limited by medium coverage of the species' range. Overall, the BBS likely provides a more reliable signal of population trend, as its design is more standardized. Both sources show a strong and steady growth in the Canadian population from the early 1970s to the present, with numbers having more than tripled over that period, providing very high confidence that a large increase has taken place. Increases have been greatest in central and southern Ontario and the Maritimes; the only region where the population has shown little change over the long term is the Pacific Coast.

The goal for Pileated Woodpecker is to remain at or above its recent population level, based on the Breeding Bird Survey. Trend data show that Pileated Woodpecker is currently within its goal range.