The average welder salary in Canada is $55,000-$85,000 per year. This guide breaks down welder pay by province, certification, and industry.
Welder Salary by Province
| Province |
Average |
Entry Level |
Journeyman |
| Alberta |
$85,000 |
$50,000 |
$100,000 |
| Ontario |
$65,000 |
$42,000 |
$82,000 |
| British Columbia |
$68,000 |
$45,000 |
$85,000 |
| Quebec |
$58,000 |
$38,000 |
$75,000 |
| Saskatchewan |
$78,000 |
$48,000 |
$95,000 |
| Manitoba |
$62,000 |
$40,000 |
$78,000 |
| Nova Scotia |
$55,000 |
$36,000 |
$70,000 |
| New Brunswick |
$52,000 |
$34,000 |
$68,000 |
| Newfoundland |
$70,000 |
$45,000 |
$90,000 |
| PEI |
$50,000 |
$32,000 |
$65,000 |
| Territories |
$95,000+ |
$60,000 |
$115,000 |
Salary by Certification Level
| Level |
Salary |
Hourly |
| Welder Helper |
$35,000-$45,000 |
$17-$22 |
| Level C (Basic) |
$45,000-$55,000 |
$22-$27 |
| Level B (Intermediate) |
$55,000-$70,000 |
$27-$34 |
| Level A (Advanced) |
$70,000-$90,000 |
$34-$43 |
| CWB Certified |
$75,000-$100,000 |
$36-$48 |
| Pressure Welder |
$85,000-$120,000 |
$41-$58 |
Salary by Welding Type
| Type |
Average Salary |
| MIG Welding |
$55,000-$70,000 |
| TIG Welding |
$65,000-$85,000 |
| Stick/Arc Welding |
$55,000-$75,000 |
| Pipe Welding |
$80,000-$120,000 |
| Underwater Welding |
$100,000-$200,000 |
| Robotic Welding |
$60,000-$80,000 |
Salary by Industry
| Industry |
Average Salary |
| Oil & Gas (Pipeline) |
$100,000-$150,000 |
| Shipbuilding |
$75,000-$90,000 |
| Mining |
$85,000-$110,000 |
| Manufacturing |
$55,000-$70,000 |
| Construction |
$60,000-$80,000 |
| Automotive |
$50,000-$65,000 |
| Aerospace |
$70,000-$90,000 |
| Shutdown/Turnaround |
$120,000-$180,000 |
Take-Home Pay (Alberta Example)
| Gross Salary |
Annual Take-Home |
Monthly Net |
| $65,000 |
$50,500 |
$4,210 |
| $85,000 |
$64,500 |
$5,375 |
| $110,000 |
$80,000 |
$6,670 |
High-Paying Welding Opportunities
| Opportunity |
Annual Earnings |
| Pipeline Welding |
$120,000-$180,000 |
| Underwater Welding |
$100,000-$200,000+ |
| Shutdown/Turnaround |
$100,000-$150,000 |
| Remote/Northern Work |
$90,000-$130,000 |
| Rig Welding |
$100,000-$140,000 |
Note: These high-paying positions often require travel, camp work, and extended hours.
Career Path Timeline
| Milestone |
Timeline |
Earnings |
| Welding Certificate |
6-12 months |
— |
| Entry Level |
Year 1 |
$45,000 |
| Apprentice (if applicable) |
Years 1-3 |
$50,000-$65,000 |
| Journeyman |
Year 3-4 |
$75,000 |
| CWB/Pressure Certified |
Year 4+ |
$90,000+ |
| Pipeline/Specialized |
Year 5+ |
$120,000+ |
Work Schedule Considerations
| Work Type |
Schedule |
Impact |
| Shop Work |
8hr days, M-F |
Stable, lower pay |
| Field Work |
10-12hr days |
Higher pay, variable |
| Camp Work |
14-21 days on/off |
Highest pay, away from home |
| Shutdown |
12-14hr days, 6-7 days/week |
Very high pay, temporary |
Is Welding a Good Career in Canada?
Pros:
- Quick entry (6-12 month programs)
- High earning potential with specialization
- In-demand skill
- Multiple industries to choose from
- Business ownership potential
Cons:
- Physically demanding
- Safety hazards (burns, fumes, eyes)
- Often requires travel for best pay
- Boom/bust in oil-dependent regions
- Work can be seasonal