Welder jobs in Canada offer great salaries, opportunities to grow, and high job satisfaction. Welders are in high demand, making this an appealing option for newcomers looking to start or continue a welding career in Canada. Welding is one of the few careers that allow you to earn a high salary without attending university. The minimum job requirement is the completion of secondary school.
Why Are Welder Jobs in Demand?
Since Canada has a huge manufacturing industry, welders are always in demand. This is because of how important they are to the manufacturing process. The average age of welders in Canada is 55, and many welders are beginning to retire. This means that the demand for welders will only increase.
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Furthermore, Canadian high schools traditionally haven’t emphasized skilled trades jobs such as welding. Because of this, Canada struggles to fill jobs with younger tradespeople. Canada expects a shortage of welders from 2022 – 2031 with 17,700 new job openings. These labour conditions create great job opportunities for newcomers to Canada.
How Much Do Welders Earn in Canada?
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According to the Canada Job Bank, the median pay for welders in Canada is $28.00/hour (based on the most recent 2021 – 2022 wage data from Statistics Canada) or an annual salary of $58,240. Based on the national statistics, a welder can expect to make a low of $20/hour ($41,600/year) to a high of $42.40/hour ($88,400) based on previous experience.
Various factors determine how much welders make including:
- Region and city where you work
- Level of experience.
Some welders are self-employed or take on small welder jobs on the side. This can also increase their income, sometimes even into the 6-figures range.
Welders working in large cities can earn a higher salary because of the high demand. However, you can also expect to pay a high cost of living in Canada’s larger cities. It’s important to consider how much you can earn and how much you will pay for essential housing costs.
Now, let’s explore some cities that offer the best opportunities for welders to start their careers in Canada.
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Windsor, Ontario
Located less than 400 km south of Toronto, Windsor is Canada’s southernmost city. The city is commonly regarded as the automotive capital of Canada. Detroit, USA, which is right across the border from Windsor, is the automotive capital of North America. As a result, the economy of Windsor is based chiefly on manufacturing car parts. This, of course, is great for welders because the car manufacturing process requires a lot of welding. It is safe to say that the Windsor-Essex region is a great place for welders to start their careers in Canada.
How Much Do Welder Jobs Pay in Windsor?
The median hourly rate for welder jobs in the Windsor-Sarnia region is $23 per hour. This roughly amounts to $47,840/year based on a 40-hour work week. Salaries can vary from a low of $17.00/hour ($35,360/year) to a high of $37.79/hour ($78,603/year).
Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton is often called the “Oil Capital of Canada”, and for good reason. Oil and gas have been one of the main driving factors that lead to Edmonton’s economic success. Today, Edmonton’s industrial sector is known for manufacturing machinery used in the oil and gas, agriculture, and construction industries. Unsurprisingly, all of these industries have a high demand for welders. Like the rest of Canada, many current welders in the workforce expect to retire soon. That will open up many opportunities for newcomers to start a welding career in Edmonton.
How Much Do Welder Jobs Pay in Edmonton?
Welder Jobs in Edmonton pay a median hourly rate of $37/hour ($76,960/year). Welders on the lower end can expect to make $25.00/hour ($52,000/year) while more experienced welders can make up to $45.00/hour ($93.600/year).
Edmonton has one of the highest concentrations of rig welders. Rig welders are the highest-paid welders because of how important their jobs are. If you can find a job as a rig welder anywhere in Canada, your salary will be considerably higher.
Watch Now: Interested in working in Skilled Trades in Canada? Find out how the BCCA-Integrating Newcomers program can help you.
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Hamilton, Ontario
Overlooking Lake Ontario, Hamilton has so much more to offer than just job opportunities for welders. Aside from its iron and steel industry, Hamilton also houses breathtaking, scenic beauty. In the past few decades, Hamilton has become one of Canada’s leading industrial centres. Known for its iron and steel industry, Hamilton has no shortage of manufacturing and construction-related jobs. As a result, welder jobs are quite popular in and around the Hamilton area. Due to its proximity to Toronto, many welders choose Hamilton as the city they want to start or continue their careers.
How Much Do Welder Jobs Pay in Hamilton?
The salary figures in Hamilton lie just around the national average for welder jobs in Canada. The median hourly pay for welders in Hamilton is $25/hour ($52,000.year). Welders with less experience can expect $17.50/hour ($36,400/year). More experienced welders can be paid up to $38/hour ($79,040 annually).
Vancouver, British Columbia
Sitting on Canada’s Pacific coast, with a beautiful skyline and mountains on the horizon, Vancouver is one of Canada’s most beautiful cities. It offers an amazing quality of life, scenic views, and many things to do around the city. Vancouver has a large manufacturing sector so finding a job as a welder may not be a problem. However, Vancouver is also Canada’s most expensive city. That is why it’s vital to research the job market and the cost of living in Vancouver before you arrive. While Vancouver offers opportunities for welders in many industries, it may be worthwhile to consider living in Surrey, British Columbia, or other neighbouring cities.
How Much Do Welder Jobs Pay in Vancouver?
The median hourly pay in Vancouver is $30/hour or $62,400 annually. Starting welders can expect to earn $19.50/hour ($40,560 annually). More experienced welders can make up to $45.15/hour ($93,912/year).
Even though Vancouver is the most expensive city in British Columbia, it is not where welders earn the highest income. Vancouver’s surrounding regions generally offer higher wages to welders willing to work there.
Montreal, Quebec
Montreal is a major industrial hub in Canada. The city is also regarded as one of the world’s top three aerospace capitals. Montreal currently hosts the headquarters of Air Canada, Bombardier, and the International Civil Aviation Organization, all of which are big players in the Aerospace Industry. As a result, Montreal has no shortage of manufacturing jobs including welder jobs. Not only is the manufacturing industry in Montreal expanding, but many welders in Montreal will retire soon.
How Much Do Welder Jobs Pay in Montreal?
The median salary for welder jobs is $26/hour ($54,080/year) and falls below the national average of $28/hour. Starting welders can expect to earn $20.60/hour (42,848/year). However, welder salary increases are usually frequent so new welders don’t stay at their starting salary for long. More experienced welders can make up to $36.80/hour or $76,544/year.
With lucrative welding jobs available in cities across Canada, this is a career option worth considering.
For information, tools, free webinars, and more visit our Finding a Job in Canada resource page. Get the help you need to achieve your career goals in Canada!
My name is Zain Usmani and I am a freelance content writer who currently resides in Mississauga, Ontario. I immigrated from Pakistan to Canada 5 years ago and have lived in many cities ever since. I have lived in Calgary AB, Edmonton AB, Regina SK, London ON, and Mississauga ON, while visiting over 40 Canadian cities and towns. I have a great passion for writing and I love helping people through it.
