How Much Do Welders Make in Canada 2026 | Welding Salaries
Updated
Welding is one of the skilled trades where specialization and willingness to travel can double or triple your income. A shop welder in southern Ontario doing MIG welding on light fabrication might earn $50,000-$60,000. The same welder with pipeline or pressure vessel certifications working a rotation in northern Alberta or BC could earn $120,000-$160,000. The trade rewards those with in-demand certifications (CWB, ASME, pipeline qualifications) and the flexibility to go where the work is. Union membership also makes a significant difference — union welders in construction typically earn 20-35% more than their non-union counterparts.
Welder Salary by Experience
Level
Non-Union
Union
Pre-apprentice/helper
$30,000-$38,000
$35,000-$42,000
1st year apprentice
$34,000-$42,000
$38,000-$48,000
2nd year apprentice
$38,000-$48,000
$44,000-$55,000
3rd year apprentice
$42,000-$55,000
$50,000-$65,000
Journeyperson (0-5 years)
$52,000-$68,000
$62,000-$82,000
Journeyperson (5-10 years)
$58,000-$78,000
$72,000-$95,000
Senior/lead welder
$65,000-$85,000
$80,000-$105,000
Welding supervisor/foreman
$75,000-$100,000
$90,000-$120,000
Welding inspector (CWI)
$75,000-$110,000
$85,000-$120,000
Salary by Province
Alberta dominates welding pay due to the oil and gas sector, pipeline construction, and industrial maintenance. Saskatchewan also pays well for similar reasons. Ontario has the largest number of welding jobs overall but wages are lower on average. Atlantic Canada has the lowest wages except for offshore and shipbuilding work in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
Province
Journeyperson
Specialized/Pipeline
Alberta
$65,000-$85,000
$90,000-$140,000+
British Columbia
$60,000-$80,000
$85,000-$130,000+
Saskatchewan
$58,000-$78,000
$80,000-$125,000
Ontario
$52,000-$72,000
$72,000-$105,000
Manitoba
$50,000-$68,000
$68,000-$100,000
Quebec
$48,000-$65,000
$65,000-$95,000
Newfoundland
$52,000-$72,000
$75,000-$115,000
Nova Scotia
$48,000-$65,000
$65,000-$100,000
New Brunswick
$45,000-$62,000
$62,000-$90,000
Northern Canada/Territories
$70,000-$95,000
$100,000-$160,000+
Salary by Welding Specialty
Specialty
Salary Range
Notes
Pipeline welder
$90,000-$150,000+
Project-based, often camp work
Underwater welder
$80,000-$150,000+
Hazardous; requires diving certification
Pressure vessel/boiler
$70,000-$100,000
ASME/CRN certification required
TIG welder (precision)
$58,000-$82,000
Aerospace, food-grade, pharmaceutical
Structural steel (construction)
$55,000-$80,000
Ironworker overlap
MIG/FCAW (general fabrication)
$48,000-$68,000
Most common; manufacturing and fab shops
Robotic welding technician
$55,000-$78,000
Growing with automation
Welding inspector (CWI/CSA)
$75,000-$115,000
Non-destructive testing combo is lucrative
Nuclear welder
$80,000-$120,000
Specialized clearance required
Maintenance/shutdown welder
$65,000-$100,000
Industrial plant turnarounds
Salary by Industry
Industry
Journeyperson Range
Notes
Oil and gas (upstream)
$72,000-$110,000
Camp work, rotation schedules
Pipeline construction
$85,000-$150,000+
Seasonal, high OT
Mining
$68,000-$100,000
Often fly-in/fly-out
Shipbuilding (Irving, Seaspan)
$55,000-$80,000
Steady work, some contracts run years
Commercial construction
$55,000-$80,000
Seasonal, variable
Manufacturing
$48,000-$68,000
Steady, M-F schedule
Automotive
$48,000-$65,000
Declining manual; robotic increasing
Custom fabrication
$50,000-$70,000
Small shops, varied work
Power generation (nuclear, hydro)
$68,000-$105,000
Specialized, good benefits
Red Seal Certification
Step
Details
Duration
1. Pre-apprenticeship (optional)
College welding foundations program
6-12 months
2. Register as apprentice
Through employer and provincial authority
—
3. On-the-job training
5,400-7,200 hours (varies by province)
3-4 years
4. In-school training
3 blocks of 6-8 weeks each
During apprenticeship
5. Red Seal exam
Interprovincial Standards exam
After hours complete
Total
3-5 years
Additional Certifications
Certification
Cost
Value
CWB welder qualifications (various positions)
$200-$500 per test
Required for most structural/pressure work
ASME (pressure vessel)
$300-$800
Premium rate work
Pipeline qualification
$500-$2,000
Highest-paying specialty
CWI (Certified Welding Inspector)
$3,000-$5,000
Moves to inspection/QC career
CSA W178.2 (Welding Inspector)
$2,000-$4,000
Canadian-specific inspector cert
Underwater welding certification
$15,000-$30,000
Niche, requires commercial diving ticket
Self-Employment and Mobile Welding
Many experienced welders eventually start their own mobile welding businesses, servicing farms, construction sites, and equipment repair. This requires a truck, portable welder, and business insurance but can be highly profitable in rural areas where shops are scarce.
Factor
Typical Range
Startup costs (truck + welder + tools)
$50,000-$120,000
Shop rate (mobile)
$80-$150/hour
Annual gross revenue (solo)
$100,000-$250,000
Expenses (fuel, consumables, insurance)
30-45% of revenue
Net income (solo mobile welder)
$60,000-$150,000+
Job Outlook
Welding is in high demand across Canada. The construction of LNG facilities in BC, pipeline maintenance in Alberta, shipbuilding contracts on both coasts, and general infrastructure investment are driving strong demand for qualified welders. The average age of welders in Canada is rising (many are 50+), and not enough young people are entering apprenticeships to replace retirees. This supply-demand imbalance is expected to keep wages strong and job security high through 2030 and beyond.
Factor
Status
Overall demand
High — significant shortage
Retirement wave
25-30% of welders approaching retirement
Best opportunities
Pipeline, LNG (BC), industrial shutdowns (AB)
Apprenticeship completion rate
~55% (many drop out)
Automation impact
Robotic welding growing in manufacturing; skilled hand-welding still in demand for field work
Immigration pathway
Welders qualify for Express Entry and PNP programs