How Much Do Electricians & Plumbers Make in Canada 2026
Updated
Electricians and plumbers are two of the most in-demand and well-compensated skilled trades in Canada. Licensed journeypersons routinely earn $70,000-$100,000+, and those in union positions or specialized industrial roles can exceed $130,000 with overtime. Perhaps the biggest financial advantage of these trades is the apprenticeship model: unlike university-educated professionals who graduate with $30,000-$60,000 in debt, apprentice electricians and plumbers earn a wage from day one while their schooling costs just $2,000-$8,000 total. By the time a university graduate starts their career, a same-age tradesperson has already earned $180,000-$300,000.
Electrician Salary by Province
Province
Apprentice (Avg)
Journeyperson
Union Journeyperson
Alberta
$24-$30/hr
$38-$48/hr ($76K-$96K)
$42-$52/hr ($84K-$104K)
Ontario
$20-$28/hr
$35-$46/hr ($70K-$92K)
$42-$50/hr ($84K-$100K)
British Columbia
$22-$28/hr
$36-$46/hr ($72K-$92K)
$40-$48/hr ($80K-$96K)
Saskatchewan
$22-$28/hr
$36-$44/hr ($72K-$88K)
$40-$48/hr ($80K-$96K)
Manitoba
$19-$25/hr
$32-$40/hr ($64K-$80K)
$38-$44/hr ($76K-$88K)
Quebec
$18-$24/hr
$30-$38/hr ($60K-$76K)
$38-$44/hr ($76K-$88K)
Nova Scotia
$18-$24/hr
$30-$38/hr ($60K-$76K)
$35-$42/hr ($70K-$84K)
New Brunswick
$17-$23/hr
$28-$36/hr ($56K-$72K)
$34-$40/hr ($68K-$80K)
NWT/Nunavut
$28-$35/hr
$45-$60/hr ($90K-$120K)
$50-$65/hr ($100K-$130K)
Plumber Salary by Province
Province
Apprentice (Avg)
Journeyperson
Union Journeyperson
Alberta
$22-$28/hr
$36-$46/hr ($72K-$92K)
$40-$50/hr ($80K-$100K)
Ontario
$19-$26/hr
$34-$44/hr ($68K-$88K)
$40-$48/hr ($80K-$96K)
British Columbia
$20-$27/hr
$35-$45/hr ($70K-$90K)
$40-$48/hr ($80K-$96K)
Saskatchewan
$20-$26/hr
$34-$42/hr ($68K-$84K)
$38-$46/hr ($76K-$92K)
Manitoba
$18-$24/hr
$30-$38/hr ($60K-$76K)
$36-$42/hr ($72K-$84K)
Quebec
$17-$23/hr
$28-$36/hr ($56K-$72K)
$36-$42/hr ($72K-$84K)
Nova Scotia
$17-$23/hr
$28-$36/hr ($56K-$72K)
$34-$40/hr ($68K-$80K)
NWT/Nunavut
$26-$33/hr
$42-$55/hr ($84K-$110K)
$48-$60/hr ($96K-$120K)
Salary by Specialization
Electrician Specializations
Specialization
Salary Range
Notes
Construction electrician
$70,000-$96,000
Commercial and residential new builds
Industrial electrician
$75,000-$105,000
Factories, plants, mining
Fire alarm technician
$65,000-$90,000
Specialized certification
Instrumentation tech
$80,000-$120,000
Oil & gas, processing plants
High-voltage lineperson
$85,000-$130,000
Power utilities, premium pay
Elevator mechanic
$90,000-$130,000
Specialized trade, very high demand
HVAC/R electrician
$65,000-$95,000
Heating/cooling systems
Marine electrician
$70,000-$100,000
Ports, shipyards
Self-employed master electrician
$80,000-$150,000+
Sets own rates
Plumber Specializations
Specialization
Salary Range
Notes
Service plumber (residential)
$70,000-$100,000
Repairs, emergencies, higher OT
Construction plumber
$68,000-$92,000
New builds, commercial
Steamfitter/pipefitter
$75,000-$110,000
Industrial piping systems
Sprinkler fitter
$70,000-$100,000
Fire suppression systems
Gas fitter
$65,000-$95,000
Gas line installation/repair
Backflow prevention tech
$60,000-$85,000
Testing and certification
Refrigeration mechanic
$70,000-$100,000
Commercial cooling
Self-employed master plumber
$80,000-$150,000+
Residential service, sets own rates
Union vs Non-Union
The union wage premium for electricians and plumbers is among the largest of any profession in Canada, typically 25-40% higher than non-union equivalents. Beyond the hourly rate, union tradespeople receive comprehensive benefits and pension contributions that add another 15-25% to total compensation. The primary trade-offs are less scheduling flexibility and the requirement to work on assigned job sites. For electricians and plumbers early in their careers, joining a union is one of the most impactful financial decisions they can make.
Factor
Union
Non-Union
Hourly rate (journeyperson)
$40-$52/hr
$30-$45/hr
Benefits
Comprehensive (health, dental, pension)
Varies widely
Pension
Defined benefit or contribution
None or RRSP match only
Job security
Strong (seniority-based)
Less structured
Overtime rules
Strict time-and-a-half/double
Varies
Training/apprenticeship
Structured, well-funded
Varies
Annual earnings
$80,000-$110,000
$60,000-$90,000
Overtime and Extra Earnings
Pay Type
Rate
Regular rate (journeyperson)
$34-$50/hour
Overtime (1.5×)
$51-$75/hour
Double time (weekends, some)
$68-$100/hour
Emergency/after-hours call-out
2-3 hour minimum at OT rate
Travel/living-out allowance
$100-$180/day (remote jobs)
Shutdown/turnaround work
Premium rates ($50-$80/hr+)
Annual Earnings Scenarios
Scenario
Electric
Plumb
40 hrs/week, no overtime
$75,000-$95,000
$70,000-$90,000
Regular overtime (10 hrs/week)
$95,000-$120,000
$90,000-$115,000
Shutdown/turnaround work
$100,000-$140,000
$95,000-$130,000
Self-employed (busy)
$100,000-$160,000+
$100,000-$160,000+
Apprenticeship Earnings
Year
% of Journeyperson Rate
Approximate Hourly
Annual (40hr)
Year 1
50-60%
$18-$27
$36,000-$54,000
Year 2
60-70%
$22-$32
$44,000-$64,000
Year 3
70-80%
$25-$36
$50,000-$72,000
Year 4
80-90%
$28-$41
$56,000-$82,000
Journeyperson (licensed)
100%
$34-$50
$68,000-$100,000
How to Become a Licensed Tradesperson
Step
Details
1. Find an employer/sponsor
Apply to contractors or unions
2. Register as apprentice
Through provincial apprenticeship board
3. On-the-job training
8,000-9,000 hours over 4-5 years
4. Technical/classroom training
6-8 weeks per year (usually paid)
5. Interprovincial (Red Seal) exam
One exam valid in all provinces
Red Seal pass rate
~60-70% first attempt
Red Seal benefit
Work in any province without re-certification
Cost vs University Route
Path
Education Cost
Earnings During Training
Debt at Completion
Trades apprenticeship (4-5yr)
$2,000-$8,000 total
$180,000-$300,000
$0
University degree (4yr)
$30,000-$60,000 tuition
$0-$20,000 (part-time work)
$20,000-$50,000
Job Outlook
Canada is facing a severe shortage of electricians and plumbers, with 20-25% of the current workforce over age 55 and approaching retirement. This structural gap is pushing wages higher and creating near-guaranteed employment for licensed tradespeople in most provinces. The growing emphasis on renewable energy, EV charging infrastructure, and residential construction adds further demand for electricians specifically. Plumbers are benefiting from aging infrastructure and the ongoing housing crisis driving new residential construction across Alberta, BC, and Ontario.