How Much Do Construction Workers Make in Canada 2026 | Trade Salaries
Updated
Construction is one of Canada’s largest employment sectors, with over 1.5 million workers and a chronic shortage of skilled labour. The pay varies enormously depending on whether you’re a general labourer or a specialized journeyperson, whether you work residential or industrial, and whether you’re unionized. A first-year general labourer might earn $18/hour, while a unionized crane operator on an industrial project in Alberta can earn $55+/hour plus benefits and pension. The industry rewards specialization, certification, and willingness to travel to where the work is. Overtime is common and can add 20-40% to annual earnings.
Construction Worker Salary by Experience
Level
General Labourer
Skilled Trade (Journeyperson)
Supervisor/Foreman
Entry/1st year
$34,000-$42,000
Apprentice: $36,000-$50,000
—
2-5 years
$40,000-$55,000
$58,000-$80,000
$70,000-$90,000
5-10 years
$48,000-$65,000
$70,000-$95,000
$85,000-$115,000
10+ years
$52,000-$70,000
$78,000-$110,000
$95,000-$140,000
Superintendent
—
—
$100,000-$160,000
Project manager
—
—
$90,000-$150,000
Salary by Province
Province
Labourer (Journeyperson)
Carpenter (Journeyperson)
Electrician (Journeyperson)
Ontario
$42,000-$62,000
$62,000-$90,000
$68,000-$98,000
British Columbia
$40,000-$58,000
$60,000-$88,000
$65,000-$95,000
Alberta
$42,000-$65,000
$65,000-$95,000
$72,000-$105,000
Saskatchewan
$38,000-$55,000
$58,000-$82,000
$62,000-$90,000
Manitoba
$36,000-$52,000
$55,000-$78,000
$60,000-$88,000
Quebec
$38,000-$55,000
$55,000-$82,000
$62,000-$92,000
Nova Scotia
$34,000-$50,000
$50,000-$72,000
$55,000-$82,000
New Brunswick
$34,000-$48,000
$48,000-$70,000
$55,000-$80,000
Newfoundland
$36,000-$55,000
$52,000-$78,000
$58,000-$88,000
Alberta pays the highest construction wages in Canada due to industrial oil and gas projects, though work can be cyclical. Ontario has the most construction employment overall, driven by GTA residential development and infrastructure projects. Quebec’s construction industry is heavily regulated by the CCQ (Commission de la construction du Québec), which manages labour placement and ensures wage standards.
Salary by Construction Trade
The specific trade is the most important factor in construction pay. Trades that require more technical skill, carry more risk, or involve specialized equipment pay significantly more.
Construction is facing a generational workforce crisis. The average age of Canadian construction workers is rising, with 20-25% expected to retire within the next decade. Meanwhile, the federal government’s housing plan targets 3.87 million new homes by 2031, and major infrastructure projects (transit, hospitals, bridges) are ongoing across the country. The result is strong demand and significant upward pressure on wages for skilled tradespeople. Immigration is helping fill some gaps, but the apprenticeship pipeline is not producing enough journeypersons. For young Canadians, the skilled trades offer a path to high wages ($70,000-$110,000+) without university debt.
Factor
Status
Overall demand
Very strong — projected 60,000-80,000 worker shortage
Wage trend
Rising 3-6% annually
Housing construction
Extremely strong demand
Infrastructure spending
Multi-decade pipeline of projects
Retirement wave
20-25% of workforce retiring within 10 years
Apprenticeship intake
Growing but not keeping pace with demand
Best opportunities
Electricians, plumbers, crane operators, heavy equipment