Canada’s 12 highest-paying construction careers

The pathway to building wealth in the industry may not be what it seems. We pored over the latest government data to see what information we could glean. The biggest takeaway was this: It’s not just about what you do. It’s about where you do it. Compensation can vary greatly depending on where you are working and demand can shift.

And while this list represents the highest wages in the highest regions, it doesn’t take into account cost of living, remote work, quality of life, education required, or other factors that can dramatically impact someone’s decision. Instead, we are purely crunching numbers. But if you are thinking about your construction career path, it’s good food for thought.

12. Heavy Equipment Operators – $99,216

Beep beep! These machine experts drive and maneuver excavators, bulldozers, and graders to perform critical earthmoving, paving, and foundational site-preparation work. The role requires some secondary school education followed by a one-to-two-year apprenticeship program or extensive supervised on-the-job training. The highest recorded regional wage was $47.70 per hour in Ontario.

11. Plumbers – $104,790

It’s a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. And they are compensated handsomely. This work goes beyond standard residential fixes to install and maintain complex water, gas, and waste disposal systems for large-scale developments and industrial sites. Plumbers must complete a comprehensive four-to-five-year apprenticeship program and obtain mandatory provincial trade certification, usually backed by a Red Seal endorsement. The highest recorded regional wage was $50.38 per hour in the Windsor-Sarnia region of Ontario.

10. Commercial and Industrial Electricians – $106,912

Let there be light! These electrical pros design, install, and maintain complex building power systems and heavy machinery controls. The educational path requires a four-to-five-year apprenticeship program combining classroom instruction with on-the-job training, culminating in mandatory provincial trade certification and a Red Seal endorsement. The highest recorded regional wage was $51.40 per hour in the Toronto region.

9. Crane Operators – $108,555

This should lift your spirits. These operators control tower and mobile cranes to lift and move heavy materials on major infrastructure and high-rise commercial builds. Operators must complete a one-to-three-year apprenticeship program or undergo extensive industry training, and mandatory provincial trade certification is required in most jurisdictions. The highest recorded national wage was $52.19 per hour across Canada.

8. Boilermakers – $110,052

These heavy industrial tradespeople build, erect, repair, and test massive boilers, tanks, and vats used in power generation plants, refineries, and industrial facilities. Entering the profession requires completing a three-to-four-year apprenticeship program and obtaining trade certification, often accompanied by a Red Seal endorsement. The recorded regional wage was $52.91 per hour in the Campbellton–Miramichi region of New Brunswick.

7. Reinforcing Ironworkers – $113,006

Is there any construction job more iconic than this? These structural specialists perform the physically grueling and high-risk work of positioning and securing steel bars or heavy wire mesh in concrete forms to reinforce structural foundations. Training involves completing a two-to-three-year apprenticeship program or gaining extensive on-the-job training, with voluntary Red Seal certification available for those seeking national recognition. The highest recorded regional wage was $54.33 per hour in the Vancouver Island and Coast Region of British Columbia.

6. Pipefitters and Steamfitters – $124,800

These industrial piping experts specialize in laying out, assembling, and maintaining high-pressure piping systems used in industrial, energy, and heavy commercial projects. To work in this field, individuals must complete a four-to-five-year apprenticeship program and obtain trade certification, with a Red Seal endorsement allowing for interprovincial mobility. This updated annual figure is based on the Job Bank’s highest recorded regional wage of $60.00 per hour in Nova Scotia.

5. Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics – $135,200

Call it a pipe dream. These gearheads repair, maintain, and overhaul the massive diesel and hydraulic machinery that keeps construction sites moving. The required training includes a three-to-five-year apprenticeship program and provincial trade certification, with the Red Seal endorsement being highly valued across the industry. The highest recorded regional wage was $65 per hour in Alberta.

4. Elevator Constructors and Mechanics – $145,600

Going up! It’s a highly specialized trade that involves installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting elevators, escalators, and other elevating devices. But getting in is no easy task. Entering this trade requires completing a highly competitive four-to-five-year apprenticeship program, followed by mandatory provincial trade certification. The highest recorded regional wage was $70 per hour in the Lower Mainland–Southwest Region of British Columbia.

3. Powerline Technicians – $163,300

It shouldn’t shock you that the power specialists who build, maintain, and repair high-voltage electrical distribution systems, earn a pretty penny. They are often working at great heights or in extreme weather. This career requires the completion of a three-to-four-year apprenticeship program, followed by provincial trade certification and typically a Red Seal endorsement. This updated annual figure is based on the Job Bank’s highest recorded regional wage of $78.51 per hour in the Northwest Territories.

2. Construction Managers – $208,998

These operational directors oversee specific job sites, coordinating trade contractors, managing daily workflows, and ensuring projects hit strict timelines and budgets. Entry into this position generally requires a university degree in civil engineering or a college diploma in construction technology, combined with several years of supervisory experience directly on construction sites. The highest recorded regional wage was $100.48 per hour in the West Coast–Northern Peninsula–Labrador Region.

1. Construction General Managers – $244,420

It’s a long way to the top but the rewards are sweet. These top executives oversee overall corporate strategy, manage massive budgets, and direct multi-site operations from an executive level. To reach this executive position, candidates typically need a university degree in civil engineering or construction management, paired with a decade or more of progressive experience in middle management or site leadership roles. The highest recorded regional wage was $117.51 per hour for senior government and construction managers in British Columbia.