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The average mechanical engineer salary in Canada is $75,000-$110,000 per year. This guide breaks down mechanical engineering pay by province, industry, and experience level.
Mechanical Engineer Salary by Province
| Province | Entry Level | P.Eng | Senior/Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $75,000 | $110,000 | $150,000 |
| Ontario | $70,000 | $100,000 | $140,000 |
| British Columbia | $72,000 | $102,000 | $142,000 |
| Saskatchewan | $70,000 | $98,000 | $135,000 |
| Manitoba | $65,000 | $92,000 | $128,000 |
| Quebec | $65,000 | $90,000 | $125,000 |
| Nova Scotia | $60,000 | $85,000 | $118,000 |
| New Brunswick | $58,000 | $82,000 | $115,000 |
| Newfoundland | $68,000 | $95,000 | $130,000 |
| PEI | $55,000 | $78,000 | $108,000 |
| Territories | $88,000+ | $125,000 | $168,000 |
Salary by Experience Level
| Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| EIT (0-4 years) | $62,000-$82,000 |
| P.Eng (4-8 years) | $82,000-$115,000 |
| Senior Engineer (8-15 years) | $110,000-$145,000 |
| Principal Engineer | $135,000-$175,000 |
| Engineering Manager | $145,000-$190,000 |
| Director/VP Engineering | $175,000-$280,000 |
Salary by Industry
| Industry | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas | $95,000-$165,000 |
| Mining | $90,000-$155,000 |
| Aerospace | $85,000-$140,000 |
| Automotive | $75,000-$120,000 |
| Manufacturing | $72,000-$115,000 |
| Consulting | $70,000-$125,000 |
| HVAC/Building Systems | $70,000-$110,000 |
| Power/Energy | $80,000-$130,000 |
| Defense | $80,000-$130,000 |
Salary by Specialization
| Specialization | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Design/CAD | $70,000-$105,000 |
| Manufacturing/Process | $75,000-$115,000 |
| HVAC/Building Systems | $70,000-$110,000 |
| Robotics/Automation | $80,000-$130,000 |
| Thermal/Fluids | $75,000-$120,000 |
| Structural | $72,000-$115,000 |
| Project Engineering | $78,000-$125,000 |
Take-Home Pay (Ontario Example)
| Gross Salary | Annual Take-Home | Monthly Net |
|---|---|---|
| $82,000 | $61,500 | $5,125 |
| $108,000 | $77,000 | $6,420 |
| $145,000 | $98,000 | $8,165 |
P.Eng Pathway
| Stage | Timeline | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| B.Eng Degree | 4 years | Entry positions |
| EIT Registration | Immediately | Required tracking |
| 4 Years Experience | Years 0-4 | Under P.Eng supervision |
| P.Eng Exam (NPPE) | Year 4 | — |
| P.Eng License | Year 4+ | +15-25% salary |
Design vs Field Roles
| Role Type | Salary | Work Environment |
|---|---|---|
| Office/Design | Baseline | Office, 9-5 |
| Field/Site | +10-20% | Site, variable hours |
| Remote/Camp | +25-40% | Premium pay, rotations |
| Hybrid | +5-10% | Mix |
Benefits Comparison
| Factor | Industry | Consulting |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | Higher | Lower |
| Bonus | 5-15% | 5-10% |
| Stock/Profit Share | Sometimes | Partner track |
| Pension | Variable | RRSP match |
| Job Security | Cyclical | Project-based |
Is Mechanical Engineering a Good Career in Canada?
Pros:
- Versatile degree (many industries)
- Good salaries across Canada
- Clear P.Eng progression
- Hands-on design work
- Strong in resource-rich provinces
- Always in demand
Cons:
- Cyclical with oil & gas
- EIT years can be slow
- Field work away from home
- Liability with P.Eng stamp
- Manufacturing declining in some areas
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