10 High-Demand Skilled Trades In Canada Right Now That Everyone’s Ignoring

Categories: Canada

Last Updated On 7 November 2025, 6:30 PM EST (Toronto Time)

Canada is facing a major labour shortage across skilled trades. For decades, the focus has been on universities and white-collar professions, while technical trades were quietly keeping the country running.

With thousands of baby boomers retiring every year and billions of dollars pouring into infrastructure, housing, energy, and manufacturing, Canada is struggling to find certified tradespeople.

From electricians and plumbers to millwrights and welders, the shortage is driving wages well above $35 per hour across the country.

The irony? Most of these careers require no four-year degree and often allow you to earn while you learn through paid apprenticeships.

Let’s explore the 10 high-demand skilled trades in Canada right now that everyone’s ignoring — and why they might just be the smartest career move in 2025.

1. Industrial Electrician

Industrial electricians maintain and repair complex electrical systems in factories, mines, and energy plants — sectors that are rapidly expanding due to automation and renewable energy projects.

Average pay: Around $42 to $48 per hour or $85,000 – $100,000 per year.
Training path: Four- to five-year apprenticeship leading to Red Seal certification.
Top provinces: Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan.

Many associate electricians only with home wiring, missing out on the higher-paying industrial side of the trade that involves large machinery, robotics, and control systems.

2. Plumber / Pipefitter / Steamfitter

Whether it’s gas lines, industrial water systems, or new housing construction, certified plumbers and pipefitters are critical to Canada’s infrastructure and energy sectors.

Average pay: $38 – $46 per hour or up to $95,000 a year.
Training path: Four- to five-year apprenticeship with on-the-job training.
Top provinces: Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta.

The trade is often stereotyped as low-skill maintenance work. In reality, advanced piping systems, commercial installations, and high-pressure steamfitting are technical, high-income specialties.

3. Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)

Millwrights install, maintain, and repair heavy industrial equipment in manufacturing plants and resource industries.

As factories modernize, this trade is becoming one of the most essential in Canada.

Average pay: $45 – $48 per hour or around $93,000 annually.
Training path: Four-year apprenticeship with strong mechanical focus.
Top provinces: Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba.

The term “millwright” is unfamiliar to many. Yet this trade combines mechanical engineering, precision alignment, and automation — making it one of the most technically advanced blue-collar careers.

4. HVAC / Refrigeration Technician

As Canada modernizes its buildings and climate-control systems, certified HVAC technicians are needed to install, maintain, and upgrade heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems in homes, hospitals, and data centres.

Average pay: $34 – $41 per hour or $70,000 – $85,000 per year.
Training path: Three- to five-year apprenticeship with safety and refrigerant licensing.
Top provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Alberta.

People often picture residential air-conditioner repairs, not realizing that industrial and commercial HVAC systems are highly technical and pay substantially more.

5. Heavy Equipment Technician

Mining, construction, and forestry all rely on massive fleets of machinery. Heavy-equipment mechanics keep these machines running — from bulldozers to excavators and haul trucks.

Average pay: $36 – $46 per hour or $75,000 – $95,000 per year.
Training path: Three- to four-year apprenticeship plus heavy-mechanical certification.
Top provinces: Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia.

It’s a behind-the-scenes job far from urban centres, but the pay premiums, overtime rates, and travel benefits make it one of the most lucrative paths available.

6. Welder / Fabricator

Welders are vital to construction, shipbuilding, oil pipelines, and metal manufacturing. Canada’s infrastructure and energy projects depend on them.

Average pay: $33 – $43 per hour or $70,000 – $90,000 per year.
Training path: Two- to three-year program with Red Seal certification.
Top provinces: Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario.

It’s perceived as repetitive, but specialized welding — such as underwater, pressure, or structural welding — demands extreme precision and pays far above average.

7. Electrician (Residential & Commercial)

Electricians power the country’s rapid urban expansion, new home builds, and renewable energy projects.

With Canada’s population growth, demand is outpacing supply.

Average pay: $35 – $42 per hour or $72,000 – $90,000 per year.
Training path: Four- to five-year apprenticeship and trade exam.
Top provinces: Nationwide, with highest need in Ontario and British Columbia.

It’s a well-known trade but underestimated in scope — modern electricians handle smart-home systems, solar installations, and electric-vehicle infrastructure.

8. Construction Heavy Equipment Operator

Billions in government infrastructure spending have created nonstop work for operators who control cranes, excavators, and graders. Skilled operators are irreplaceable on large projects.

Average pay: $36 – $48 per hour or up to $100,000 per year with overtime.
Training path: Two- to three-year apprenticeship or employer training with certification.
Top provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec.

Often considered seasonal, but with multi-year national infrastructure plans, heavy-equipment operation has become a stable, long-term career choice.

9. Automotive Service Technician (Mechanic)

As Canada transitions to electric and hybrid vehicles, skilled automotive technicians are in short supply.

Shops need workers who can repair both mechanical and computerized systems.

Average pay: $34 – $45 per hour or $70,000 – $95,000 per year.
Training path: Four-year apprenticeship with Red Seal endorsement.
Top provinces: Ontario, Alberta, Quebec.

Many still picture the old-school mechanic stereotype, but today’s auto technicians work with diagnostic software, robotics, and advanced electronics.

10. Powerline Technician

Powerline technicians install and maintain the electrical grid that keeps Canada running.

As renewable energy expands and the national grid modernizes, their work is critical.

Average pay: $45 – $55 per hour or $95,000 – $120,000 per year.
Training path: Four-year apprenticeship with strict safety and climbing certification.
Top provinces: Ontario, British Columbia, Atlantic Canada.

The job’s outdoor conditions and physical demands deter some, but the high pay, strong union benefits, and travel allowances make it one of Canada’s best-paid trades.

Quick Reference — Average Pay and Training

Trade	Average Pay	Hourly Equivalent	Demand Hotspots
Industrial Electrician	$88k–100k	$42–48/hr	AB ON SK
Plumber / Pipefitter	$80k–95k	$38–46/hr	ON BC AB
Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)	$90k+	$45/hr	AB ON MB
HVAC / Refrigeration Tech	$70k–85k	$34–41/hr	ON QC AB
Heavy Equipment Technician	$75k–95k	$36–46/hr	AB NL BC
Welder / Fabricator	$70k–90k	$33–43/hr	AB SK ON
Electrician (Res/Comm)	$72k–90k	$35–42/hr	National
Construction Equipment Operator	$75k–100k	$36–48/hr	AB BC QC
Automotive Service Technician	$70k–95k	$34–45/hr	ON AB QC
Powerline Technician	$95k–120k	$45–55/hr	ON BC Atlantic

How to Start a Career in the Skilled Trades

Choose your trade. Decide what type of work excites you — mechanical, electrical, or construction.
Research your province’s apprenticeship programs. Every province has its own trade authority and registration process.
Complete a pre-apprenticeship or technical program. Community colleges and trade schools offer short, practical courses.
Find a sponsor employer. You’ll earn while you learn as an apprentice under a certified journeyperson.
Log your hours and training. Most trades require between 5,000 and 8,000 hours of experience.
Pass the certification exam. Achieving Red Seal status lets you work anywhere in Canada.
Continue upskilling. Learn automation, renewable energy, or green-building technologies to stay competitive.

Pros and Cons of Choosing the Trades

Pros

High income potential and rapid wage growth.
Paid training — minimal student debt.
National mobility through Red Seal certification.
Strong job security due to labour shortages.
Opportunity to start your own business or contract work.

Cons

Physically active work environments.
Early morning shifts and occasional travel.
Apprenticeship wages are lower during training.
Requires commitment to safety and certification updates.

The Employment Outlook

In October, the jobless rate declined by 0.2 percentage points to 6.9%. Prior to this reduction, the jobless rate had risen to 7.1% in August and September, its highest level since May 2016.

In October, the unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 24 declined 0.6 percentage points to 14.1%.

In October, employment in wholesale and retail trade climbed by 41,000 (+1.4%), more than offsetting a fall in September (-21,000; -0.7%). Year over year, employment in the industry increased by 108,000 (+3.7%).

In October, employment climbed by 67,000 (+0.3%), marking the second consecutive monthly gain, while the employment rate jumped 0.2 percentage points to 60.8%.

The overall national unemployment rate fell 0.2 percentage points to 6.9%.

Between 2025 and 2030, Canada expects more skilled-trade job openings due to retirements and expansion.

Provincial governments are also prioritizing trade immigration programs to fill these roles.

With wages outpacing inflation and degree-holders struggling to find entry-level work, the trades are emerging as one of the most stable and rewarding career paths in Canada.

While countless Canadians chase office jobs that barely keep up with inflation, the skilled-trades sector is quietly booming.

Every one of the ten trades listed here offers strong wages, hands-on satisfaction, and stability for decades to come.

These careers are not “backup options” — they are Canada’s backbone, driving housing, energy, transportation, and industry.

If you’re looking for meaningful, secure, and well-paid work in 2025, it might be time to trade your degree dreams for a toolbelt and a future that’s built to last.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are top 10 High-Demand Skilled Trades In Canada

Do I need a university degree to start a skilled trade?

No. Most trades only require a high-school diploma and the completion of an apprenticeship program.

What is a Red Seal endorsement?

It’s a national standard of excellence that allows certified tradespeople to work anywhere in Canada without retraining. For more information, visit the official Red Seal website.

Which provinces pay the most for skilled trade jobs?

Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador typically offer the highest hourly wages, followed by British Columbia and Ontario.

Which trades are easiest to start for beginners?

Welding, HVAC, and construction equipment operation often have shorter entry programs and faster earning potential.

Gagandeep Kaur Sekhon moved to Canada in 2010 on a study visa. She navigated through the ups and downs of her student life and gained her permanent residency in 2015. Today, she is a proud Canadian citizen residing in Calgary, Alberta. She is mother of 2 beautiful daughters and making her difference through writing and guidance at INC – Immigration News Canada.