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The average welder salary in Canada is $55,000-$85,000 per year. This guide breaks down welder pay by province, certification, and industry.
Table of Contents
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
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