The average HVAC technician salary in Canada is $55,000-$85,000 per year. This guide breaks down HVAC pay by province, certification, and specialization.
Table of Contents
HVAC Technician Salary by Province
Province
Average
Entry Level
Journeyman
Alberta
$85,000
$52,000
$95,000
Ontario
$75,000
$48,000
$88,000
British Columbia
$78,000
$50,000
$90,000
Quebec
$65,000
$42,000
$78,000
Saskatchewan
$78,000
$50,000
$88,000
Manitoba
$70,000
$45,000
$82,000
Nova Scotia
$62,000
$40,000
$75,000
New Brunswick
$58,000
$38,000
$72,000
Newfoundland
$68,000
$45,000
$80,000
PEI
$55,000
$36,000
$68,000
Territories
$95,000+
$60,000
$110,000
Salary by Experience Level
Level
Salary
Hourly
1st Year Apprentice
$38,000-$45,000
$18-$22
2nd Year Apprentice
$45,000-$52,000
$22-$25
3rd Year Apprentice
$52,000-$60,000
$25-$29
4th Year Apprentice
$58,000-$68,000
$28-$33
Journeyman
$70,000-$90,000
$34-$43
Foreman
$85,000-$100,000
$41-$48
Salary by Specialization
Specialization
Average Salary
Residential Service
$65,000-$80,000
Commercial HVAC
$75,000-$95,000
Industrial
$85,000-$100,000
Refrigeration (313A)
$80,000-$100,000
Controls/BAS
$80,000-$95,000
Sheet Metal (308A)
$75,000-$90,000
Salary by Employment Type
Type
Annual Income
Hourly Employee
$65,000-$85,000
Union
$75,000-$95,000
Self-Employed (Solo)
$80,000-$120,000
Business Owner
$100,000-$200,000+
Take-Home Pay (Ontario Example)
Gross Salary
Annual Take-Home
Monthly Net
$65,000
$50,000
$4,165
$80,000
$60,500
$5,040
$95,000
$69,500
$5,790
Union vs Non-Union
Factor
Union
Non-Union
Hourly Rate
$40-$50
$30-$40
Pension
Defined benefit
RRSP match
Benefits
Full
Varies
Job Security
Higher
Variable
Overtime
Guaranteed 1.5x
Varies
Apprenticeship
Structured
Variable quality
Certifications That Increase Pay
Certification
Salary Premium
313A (Refrigeration)
+$5,000-$10,000
G2/G3 Gas Fitter
+$3,000-$8,000
Oil Burner (OBT)
+$2,000-$5,000
Controls/BAS
+$5,000-$10,000
Red Seal
Industry standard
Career Path & Timeline
Milestone
Timeline
Earnings
Start Apprenticeship
Year 0
$38,000
Complete Apprenticeship
Year 4-5
$72,000
Get Refrigeration License
Year 5-6
$82,000
Senior Tech/Foreman
Year 8-10
$95,000
Start Own Business
Year 8+
$120,000+
Self-Employment Potential
Business Size
Owner Income
Solo (Service)
$90,000-$130,000
1-2 Employees
$110,000-$160,000
3-5 Employees
$140,000-$200,000
Full Company
$180,000-$300,000+
Is HVAC a Good Career in Canada?
Pros:
Strong demand (essential service)
Good pay, no student debt
Recession-resistant
Business ownership potential
Indoor and outdoor work variety
Always learning new technology
Cons:
Physical demands (tight spaces, lifting)
Extreme temperatures (attics, roofs)
On-call/emergency work
Some travel required
Seasonal peaks (AC in summer, heat in winter)