The Canadian population of Red-naped Sapsucker is best monitored by the Breeding Bid Survey (BBS), which samples most of the breeding range and has high precision. The national BBS trend shows strong fluctuations on a 15-20 year cycle, with highs around 1977, 1992, and 2005, and lows around 1983, 2000, and 2011. Overall, the current abundance shows a moderate increase of 56% relative to 1970. There are slight regional differences in trends, with a moderate long-term decline in south-central British Columbia, compared to a moderate long-term increase from central British Columbia through to western Alberta. The continental Christmas Bird Count (CBC) shows little change relative to 1970. Although only slightly less than half of the population breeds in Canada, the difference in trends reduces confidence in the assessment to medium.

The goal for Red-naped Sapsucker is to remain at or above its average population level from 1970 to 2022, based on the Breeding Bird Survey. Trend data show that Red-naped Sapsucker is currently below its goal range.