Electrician Salary Canada 2026 (By Province & Experience)
By Wealthvieu
·
Updated
The average electrician salary in Canada is $60,000-$100,000. This guide covers electrician pay by province, specialization, and experience level.
Electrician Salary by Province
| Province |
Apprentice |
Journeyperson |
Master |
| Alberta |
$25/hr |
$45/hr |
$55/hr |
| Ontario |
$20/hr |
$42/hr |
$52/hr |
| British Columbia |
$22/hr |
$43/hr |
$53/hr |
| Saskatchewan |
$23/hr |
$42/hr |
$50/hr |
| Manitoba |
$20/hr |
$38/hr |
$48/hr |
| Quebec |
$18/hr |
$38/hr |
$46/hr |
| Nova Scotia |
$18/hr |
$35/hr |
$45/hr |
| New Brunswick |
$17/hr |
$33/hr |
$43/hr |
| Territories |
$28/hr |
$55/hr+ |
$65/hr+ |
Annual Salary by Experience
| Level |
Hourly |
Annual (40hr/wk) |
| 1st Year Apprentice |
$18-$22 |
$37,000-$46,000 |
| 2nd Year Apprentice |
$22-$26 |
$46,000-$54,000 |
| 3rd Year Apprentice |
$26-$32 |
$54,000-$66,000 |
| 4th Year Apprentice |
$30-$36 |
$62,000-$75,000 |
| Journeyperson |
$38-$48 |
$79,000-$100,000 |
| Master Electrician |
$48-$60 |
$100,000-$125,000 |
| Foreman |
$50-$65 |
$104,000-$135,000 |
| Electrical Contractor |
$80,000-$200,000+ |
Variable |
Salary by Specialization
| Specialization |
Average Salary |
| Residential |
$65,000-$80,000 |
| Commercial |
$75,000-$95,000 |
| Industrial |
$85,000-$110,000 |
| Construction |
$80,000-$100,000 |
| Maintenance |
$70,000-$90,000 |
| High Voltage/Lineman |
$90,000-$130,000 |
| Instrumentation |
$95,000-$120,000 |
| Fire Alarm |
$70,000-$90,000 |
Union vs Non-Union
| Factor |
Union (IBEW) |
Non-Union |
| Hourly rate |
$45-$55 |
$35-$45 |
| Pension |
Yes (DB) |
Self-funded |
| Benefits |
Comprehensive |
Variable |
| Job security |
Higher |
Lower |
| Dues |
2-3% of wages |
None |
| Overtime rules |
Strict |
Flexible |
Take-Home Pay (Ontario)
| Gross Salary |
Annual Take-Home |
Monthly Net |
| $65,000 |
$50,000 |
$4,170 |
| $85,000 |
$63,000 |
$5,250 |
| $100,000 |
$72,500 |
$6,040 |
| $120,000 |
$84,500 |
$7,040 |
| Opportunity |
Rate |
| Overtime (1.5x) |
$57-$75/hr |
| Double time |
$76-$100/hr |
| On-call premium |
+$50-$100/day |
| Side jobs |
$50-$100/hr cash |
Many electricians earn $10,000-$30,000+ in overtime annually.
Path to Becoming an Electrician
| Stage |
Duration |
Cost/Pay |
| Pre-apprenticeship |
6-12 weeks |
$3,000-$6,000 |
| Apprenticeship |
4-5 years |
Paid (increasing) |
| Journeyperson exam |
After hours completed |
$200-$500 |
| Master Electrician |
2+ years as JP |
Exam required |
Total commitment: 5-6 years from start to journeyperson.
High-Paying Opportunities
| Opportunity |
Salary Range |
| Industrial/Oil & Gas (Alberta) |
$100,000-$150,000 |
| FIFO Mining (remote) |
$120,000-$160,000+ |
| Nuclear plants |
$110,000-$140,000 |
| Own business |
$100,000-$250,000+ |
| Utility lineman |
$100,000-$140,000 |
| Instrumentation tech |
$95,000-$130,000 |
Is Being an Electrician Worth It?
Pros:
- No university debt (paid apprenticeship)
- High demand across Canada
- Recession-resistant
- Self-employment potential
- Variety of work environments
- Good work-life balance possible
Cons:
- Physical demands
- Safety hazards
- Outdoor work in all weather
- Competitive apprenticeships
- Licensing varies by province
- Initial low pay during apprenticeship
