Plumber Salary Canada 2026 (By Province & Experience)

By WealthVieu · Updated
Data updated March 26, 2026

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The average plumber salary in Canada is $65,000-$95,000 per year for journeymen. This guide breaks down plumber pay by province, experience, and specialization.

Plumber Salary by Province

Province Journeyman Entry Level Senior/Foreman
Alberta $90,000 $55,000 $105,000
Ontario $82,000 $48,000 $98,000
British Columbia $85,000 $50,000 $100,000
Quebec $72,000 $42,000 $88,000
Saskatchewan $85,000 $52,000 $98,000
Manitoba $78,000 $48,000 $92,000
Nova Scotia $68,000 $42,000 $82,000
New Brunswick $65,000 $40,000 $78,000
Newfoundland $75,000 $48,000 $90,000
PEI $62,000 $38,000 $75,000
Territories $100,000+ $65,000 $120,000

Salary by Experience Level

Level Salary Hourly
1st Year Apprentice $35,000-$42,000 $17-$20
2nd Year Apprentice $42,000-$50,000 $20-$24
3rd Year Apprentice $50,000-$58,000 $24-$28
4th Year Apprentice $55,000-$65,000 $27-$31
Journeyman $70,000-$95,000 $34-$46
Foreman $85,000-$105,000 $41-$50
Master Plumber $90,000-$110,000 $43-$53

Salary by Specialization

Specialization Average Salary
Residential Service $70,000
Commercial $82,000
Industrial $90,000
Pipefitter $88,000
Gasfitter $85,000
Sprinkler Fitter $80,000
Steamfitter $92,000

Salary by Employment Type

Type Annual Income
Union Employee $85,000-$100,000
Non-Union Employee $65,000-$85,000
Self-Employed (Solo) $80,000-$120,000
Business Owner (Employees) $120,000-$250,000+

Take-Home Pay (Ontario Example)

Gross Salary Annual Take-Home Monthly Net
$70,000 $53,500 $4,460
$85,000 $63,000 $5,250
$100,000 $72,500 $6,040

Union vs Non-Union

Factor Union Non-Union
Hourly Rate $45-$55 $32-$42
Pension Defined benefit RRSP match
Benefits Full Varies
Job Security Higher Variable
Overtime Time and a half Varies
Training Paid Often unpaid

Business Ownership

Self-employed plumbers and business owners can significantly increase earnings:

Business Size Owner Income
Solo (Service) $80,000-$120,000
1-2 Employees $100,000-$150,000
3-5 Employees $120,000-$200,000
5+ Employees $180,000-$300,000+

Career Path Timeline

Milestone Timeline Earnings
Start Apprenticeship Year 0 $35,000
Journeyman Certificate Year 4-5 $75,000
Senior/Specialization Year 8-10 $90,000
Start Own Business Year 8+ $100,000+

Is Plumbing a Good Career in Canada?

Pros:

  • No student debt (earn while learning)
  • Strong demand, recession-resistant
  • Business ownership potential
  • Physical work vs desk job
  • Variety of environments

Cons:

  • Physically demanding
  • Emergency/on-call work
  • Working in tight spaces
  • Exposure to hazards
  • Weather (outdoor work)
WealthVieu
Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

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