Skilled trades are among the best-paying careers in Canada that do not require a university degree. Journeyperson tradespeople routinely earn $70,000-$130,000, and those willing to work on remote megaprojects (oil sands, LNG, mining) can exceed $150,000 with overtime and living-out allowances. Canada is facing a generational skilled trades shortage as experienced workers retire faster than new apprentices fill the gap. This structural imbalance is pushing wages higher and creating exceptional job security across nearly every trade.
Verified Against Statistics Canada Data
The figures below come directly from Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census (employment income reported for 2020), the most detailed occupation-level income data StatCan publishes. Because the Census figures are from 2020, they are shown alongside an inflation-adjusted equivalent so the numbers reflect today’s purchasing power. These are base employment income figures and do not include overtime or living-out allowances discussed elsewhere on this page.
| Occupation | Median (2020 Census) | Median (Today, Inflation-Adjusted) | Average (Today, Inflation-Adjusted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | $68,000 | $84,400 | $85,500 |
| General construction trades | $46,800 | $58,100 | $59,800 |
| Plumbers | $63,600 | $78,900 | $79,400 |
| Welders | $56,400 | $70,000 | $76,800 |
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, Table 98-10-0586-01. Figures are for those who worked full year, full time in 2020, and are inflation-adjusted to today’s dollars using the Consumer Price Index. *Some province/occupation combinations show “too few workers to report” because StatCan suppresses Census income cells with too few respondents to protect individual privacy — the data isn’t missing, it’s withheld for confidentiality.
Average Salary by Trade
| Trade | Apprentice (Yr 1) | Apprentice (Yr 3–4) | Journeyperson | Senior/Foreman | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crane operator | $55,000–$70,000 | $70,000–$90,000 | $85,000–$130,000+ | $100,000–$150,000 | High |
| Elevator mechanic | $55,000–$65,000 | $70,000–$85,000 | $85,000–$110,000 | $100,000–$130,000 | High |
| Industrial electrician | $45,000–$55,000 | $60,000–$75,000 | $80,000–$120,000 | $95,000–$135,000 | High |
| Steamfitter/Pipefitter | $42,000–$52,000 | $58,000–$72,000 | $75,000–$120,000 | $90,000–$135,000 | High |
| Millwright | $42,000–$52,000 | $58,000–$72,000 | $75,000–$110,000 | $85,000–$125,000 | High |
| Plumber | $38,000–$48,000 | $52,000–$68,000 | $70,000–$105,000 | $85,000–$120,000 | High |
| Electrician (construction) | $38,000–$48,000 | $52,000–$68,000 | $70,000–$105,000 | $85,000–$120,000 | High |
| Welder | $38,000–$48,000 | $50,000–$65,000 | $65,000–$100,000 | $80,000–$120,000 | High |
| Heavy-duty mechanic | $40,000–$50,000 | $55,000–$70,000 | $70,000–$105,000 | $85,000–$120,000 | High |
| Sheet metal worker | $38,000–$48,000 | $50,000–$65,000 | $68,000–$95,000 | $80,000–$110,000 | Moderate |
| HVAC technician | $35,000–$45,000 | $48,000–$62,000 | $60,000–$95,000 | $75,000–$110,000 | High |
| Carpenter | $35,000–$45,000 | $48,000–$60,000 | $55,000–$85,000 | $70,000–$100,000 | High |
| Auto mechanic (310S/310T) | $32,000–$42,000 | $42,000–$55,000 | $50,000–$80,000 | $65,000–$95,000 | Moderate |
| Painter/decorator | $30,000–$38,000 | $38,000–$48,000 | $45,000–$65,000 | $55,000–$80,000 | Moderate |
Trades Salary by Province
| Province | Electrician (JP) | Plumber (JP) | Welder (JP) | Carpenter (JP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $80,000–$110,000 | $78,000–$105,000 | $75,000–$100,000 | $65,000–$90,000 | Highest, oil & gas premium |
| Ontario | $72,000–$100,000 | $70,000–$95,000 | $65,000–$90,000 | $60,000–$85,000 | Strong construction market |
| British Columbia | $70,000–$98,000 | $68,000–$92,000 | $62,000–$88,000 | $58,000–$82,000 | LNG projects boosting demand |
| Saskatchewan | $68,000–$92,000 | $65,000–$88,000 | $62,000–$85,000 | $55,000–$78,000 | Resource sector demand |
| Manitoba | $62,000–$85,000 | $60,000–$82,000 | $55,000–$78,000 | $52,000–$72,000 | Hydro projects |
| Quebec | $60,000–$85,000 | $58,000–$80,000 | $55,000–$78,000 | $50,000–$72,000 | CCQ regulated trades |
| Nova Scotia | $55,000–$78,000 | $55,000–$75,000 | $50,000–$72,000 | $48,000–$68,000 | Growing demand |
| New Brunswick | $52,000–$75,000 | $52,000–$72,000 | $48,000–$70,000 | $45,000–$65,000 | Lower cost of living |
Union vs Non-Union Wages
The union vs. non-union wage gap in the trades is substantial — typically 25-40% more for unionized workers, plus a defined benefit or contribution pension and comprehensive health and dental benefits. Union members also receive formal apprenticeship training, structured overtime rules, and job protections. The trade-off is less flexibility: union work is often tied to specific job sites and schedules, and hiring priority goes by seniority rather than individual relationships with contractors.
| Trade | Union Hourly Rate | Non-Union Hourly | Union Annual (40hr) | Non-Union Annual | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $42–$55/hr | $30–$42/hr | $87,000–$114,000 | $62,000–$87,000 | +25–40% |
| Plumber | $40–$52/hr | $28–$40/hr | $83,000–$108,000 | $58,000–$83,000 | +25–35% |
| Carpenter | $35–$48/hr | $24–$35/hr | $73,000–$100,000 | $50,000–$73,000 | +25–40% |
| Welder | $38–$50/hr | $26–$38/hr | $79,000–$104,000 | $54,000–$79,000 | +25–35% |
| HVAC | $38–$48/hr | $25–$36/hr | $79,000–$100,000 | $52,000–$75,000 | +25–35% |
Union wages include benefits, pension, and vacation pay contribution, which adds 15–25% on top of base rate.
Apprenticeship Progression
| Stage | Duration | % of Journeyperson Wage | Typical Annual Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-apprenticeship (Level 0) | 8–16 weeks | N/A (school) | −$3,000–$8,000 (tuition) |
| Year 1 apprentice | 1 year | 50–60% | $30,000–$48,000 |
| Year 2 apprentice | 1 year | 60–70% | $38,000–$56,000 |
| Year 3 apprentice | 1 year | 70–80% | $45,000–$64,000 |
| Year 4 apprentice | 1 year | 80–90% | $50,000–$72,000 |
| Certificate of Qualification exam | — | — | $300–$500 fee |
| Journeyperson (certified) | — | 100% | $55,000–$120,000 |
Apprentices attend in-class training for 6–8 weeks per year (may receive EI benefits during school blocks).
Self-Employed Trades Income
Starting your own trades business is one of the clearest paths to six-figure income in Canada without a degree. A self-employed plumber or electrician running a residential service business can net $100,000-$175,000 on $300,000-$500,000 in revenue once the business is established. General contractors running larger operations can earn significantly more but take on proportionally greater risk and management burden. The key barrier is capital — startup costs range from $15,000 for a basic service van and tools to $200,000+ for a full shop with employees.
| Trade Business | Gross Revenue | Overhead/Materials | Net Income | Startup Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing contractor | $150,000–$500,000 | 50–65% | $52,000–$175,000 | $15,000–$40,000 |
| Electrical contractor | $150,000–$500,000 | 50–65% | $52,000–$175,000 | $15,000–$50,000 |
| HVAC contractor | $200,000–$700,000 | 55–70% | $60,000–$210,000 | $30,000–$80,000 |
| General contractor | $300,000–$2,000,000+ | 65–80% | $60,000–$400,000 | $20,000–$100,000 |
| Welding/fabrication shop | $150,000–$600,000 | 55–70% | $45,000–$180,000 | $30,000–$100,000 |
| Auto repair shop | $200,000–$800,000 | 60–75% | $50,000–$200,000 | $50,000–$200,000 |
Remote/Camp Work Premium
Remote and camp work is where tradespeople earn peak income in Canada. Oil sands shutdowns in Alberta, LNG construction in BC, and mining operations in Ontario and the NWT pay premium hourly rates plus living-out allowances (LOA) of $100-$200/day. A skilled tradesperson on a 14-days-on/7-days-off rotation can earn $100,000-$200,000 per year. The trade-offs are significant: weeks away from home, physically demanding work, and remote living conditions. Many tradespeople use camp work strategically — spending a few years building savings before transitioning to a local position or entrepreneurship.
| Sector | Base Wage (Hourly) | Camp/LOA Premium | Rotation | Annual Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil sands (AB) | $38–$55 | +$100–$180/day LOA | 14/7 or 21/7 | $100,000–$180,000 |
| Mining (ON/BC/NWT) | $35–$50 | +$80–$150/day | 14/14 or 21/7 | $90,000–$160,000 |
| LNG projects (BC) | $40–$55 | +$100–$150/day | 14/7 or 21/7 | $100,000–$170,000 |
| Hydro projects (MB/BC) | $35–$48 | +$80–$120/day | 14/7 | $85,000–$140,000 |
| Pipeline construction | $40–$60 | +$100–$200/day | Seasonal | $80,000–$200,000 |
Similar-Paying Professions
At a StatCan-verified median of $84,400/year (inflation-adjusted to today’s dollars), trades workers earn about the same as several other professions covered on this site:
- Journalists — $83,100/year
- Financial Advisors — $92,400/year
- Social Workers — $93,000/year
Based on the same Statistics Canada 2021 Census occupation income data (Table 98-10-0586-01) used throughout this page, inflation-adjusted to today’s dollars.