"Which trade pays the most?" is one of the most common questions people ask before choosing an apprenticeship. Below are median hourly wages for 13 Red Seal trades, taken directly from the Government of Canada's Job Bank 2025 wages open data (revised November 19, 2025). Every figure comes from that dataset. We haven't estimated or rounded anything.
Median hourly wages, Canada (Job Bank, 2025)
| Occupation (NOC title) | NOC | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boilermakers | 72103 | $37.66 | $49.00 | $54.57 |
| Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers | 72301 | $27.00 | $43.89 | $55.59 |
| Ironworkers | 72105 | $29.00 | $43.00 | $49.80 |
| Crane operators | 72500 | $26.50 | $42.77 | $52.19 |
| Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics | 72402 | $22.00 | $37.50 | $56.00 |
| Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 | $23.87 | $37.12 | $55.00 |
| Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | 72400 | $24.00 | $37.00 | $52.00 |
| Electricians (except industrial and power system) | 72200 | $20.00 | $35.00 | $48.00 |
| Sheet metal workers | 72102 | $22.70 | $34.07 | $45.95 |
| Plumbers | 72300 | $21.00 | $34.00 | $46.00 |
| Carpenters | 72310 | $22.00 | $32.12 | $44.23 |
| Welders and related machine operators | 72106 | $22.00 | $30.00 | $47.00 |
| Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics | 72410 | $19.00 | $29.89 | $43.27 |
What the numbers tell you
- Industrial and heavy construction trades top the list. Boilermakers, steamfitters/pipefitters, ironworkers and crane operators have the highest national medians in this data. These trades often involve large industrial projects, shutdowns and travel.
- Mechanical maintenance trades pay well and steadily. Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, heavy-duty mechanics and millwrights all have national medians above $37/hour.
- The big building trades are close together. Electricians, sheet metal workers, plumbers and carpenters fall between $32.12 and $35.00/hour at the median.
- Ranges are wide. The high end for several trades is $15 to $25/hour above the low end. Experience, certification, sector, union status and location all matter.
What the numbers don't tell you
- Different survey sources. Job Bank uses Labour Force Survey data for some occupations and Employment Insurance survey data for others. The source is listed per occupation in the dataset, so treat small gaps between trades with caution.
- NOC groups are broader than trades. For example, NOC 72106 includes welders and related machine operators, and NOC 72301 includes sprinkler system installers alongside steamfitters and pipefitters.
- Hourly isn't annual. Overtime, seasonal layoffs, camp work and shift premiums can change yearly income a lot.
- Provinces differ. Use our wage comparison tool to see the same Job Bank data by province or territory.
Pay is only one part of the decision
A trade you enjoy and can stick with for a four-year apprenticeship will usually beat a higher-paying trade you leave halfway through. Think about indoor vs. outdoor work, travel, physical demands and the kinds of employers near you. Our guide to choosing a trade can help.
Explore the 7 trades we cover in depth
| Trade | Guide | Current jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | Construction Electrician guide | Electrician jobs |
| Plumber | Plumber guide | Plumber jobs |
| Steamfitter/Pipefitter | Steamfitter/Pipefitter guide | Steamfitter/Pipefitter jobs |
| Ironworker | Ironworker guide | Ironworker jobs |
| Carpenter | Carpenter guide | Carpenter jobs |
| Millwright | Millwright guide | Millwright jobs |
| Welder | Welder guide | Welder jobs |
Ready to start? Read our apprenticeship guide and Red Seal exam guide. When you apply, our resume service and $79 interview course can help you stand out.
The same trades in Ontario
Ontario is home to many of Canada's apprentices, so here are the Ontario rows from the same Job Bank dataset.
| Occupation (NOC title) | NOC | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boilermakers | 72103 | $31.21 | $48.21 | $54.21 |
| Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers | 72301 | $28.00 | $45.96 | $56.88 |
| Ironworkers | 72105 | $32.27 | $44.34 | $50.25 |
| Crane operators | 72500 | $24.50 | $40.48 | $53.94 |
| Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics | 72402 | $21.00 | $37.00 | $58.00 |
| Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | 72400 | $23.00 | $35.59 | $48.50 |
| Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 | $22.00 | $35.00 | $51.19 |
| Sheet metal workers | 72102 | $22.94 | $35.00 | $48.17 |
| Electricians (except industrial and power system) | 72200 | $20.00 | $34.00 | $50.50 |
| Plumbers | 72300 | $20.00 | $32.50 | $50.38 |
| Carpenters | 72310 | $22.00 | $32.00 | $48.00 |
| Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics | 72410 | $18.75 | $30.00 | $43.27 |
| Welders and related machine operators | 72106 | $21.00 | $28.00 | $41.28 |
Frequently asked questions
What's the highest-paying trade in Canada?
Among the 13 trades in the table above, boilermakers have the highest national median in Job Bank's 2025 data at $49.00/hour. Other trades not shown here may have different figures.
Do apprentices earn these wages?
No. These are wages for everyone working in the occupation. Apprentices usually earn a percentage of the journeyperson rate that rises with each level. The percentages are set by collective agreements, provincial rules or the employer.
Why do some provinces pay more?
Local demand, the cost of living, union coverage and big industrial projects all affect wages. Our wage comparison tool shows Job Bank's figures for each province and territory.
Where does this data come from?
The Government of Canada's Job Bank publishes wage data by National Occupational Classification (NOC) code and region. We use the 2025 Wages file (revised November 19, 2025) from the Open Government Portal and don't change the figures.
Is it worth choosing a trade just for the pay?
Pay matters, but completion matters more. An apprenticeship takes years, so choose work you can see yourself doing every day. The difference between the middle of this table and the top is small compared with the gap between finishing and not finishing.
This article is general information for people exploring trades careers in Canada. Rules, programs and amounts change and differ between provinces and territories — confirm details with your apprenticeship authority and official government sources.