Canada’s environmental and clean technology sector employed 354,257 workers in 2023, up 4.3% from the previous year, but women in the industry continue to earn significantly less than their male counterparts despite higher education levels.
Statistics Canada released data showing women in the sector earned $48.80 per hour on average in 2023, which is 17% less than men who earned $58.78 per hour. This gender wage gap exceeds the national average, where women earn 12.8% less than men across all industries.
The environmental and clean technology products sector includes manufacturing of solar panels and electric batteries, clean electricity production, biofuels, and related professional services, construction and waste management activities.
Women more educated but underrepresented in trades
Women working in environmental clean technology were nearly twice as likely as men to hold university credentials, with 41.6% having a diploma or degree compared to 24.6% of men. However, women were four times less likely to have trade certificates, at 4.9% versus 20.8% for men.
The wage gap was most pronounced among workers with trade certificates, where women earned 30.4% less than men. The smallest gap occurred among employees with high school education or less, at 11.6%.
Overall, one-third of sector jobs were held by employees with high school education or less, representing the largest share by education level. University graduates made up 29.6% of positions, followed by college diploma holders at 21.5% and trade certificate holders at 16.2%.
Male dominance continues despite women’s gains
Men held seven in 10 jobs in the sector in 2023, a proportion virtually unchanged from 2022 despite women showing slightly stronger job growth at 4.4% compared to 4.2% for men.
Women’s average hourly pay increased 4.0% in 2023, outpacing men’s wage growth of 3.6%. The sector has maintained a wider gender wage gap than the broader Canadian economy since tracking began in 2009.
The environmental clean technology sector represented 1.7% of all Canadian jobs in 2023. Part-time workers in the sector earned an average of $43.65 per hour.
Statistics Canada noted the data comes from its Environmental and Clean Technology Products Economic Account Human Resource Module, which tracks employment in activities aimed at reducing environmental impacts through pollution prevention, efficient resource use, or less energy-intensive goods and services.
The 2022 and 2023 estimates are preliminary and subject to revision when updated data becomes available.
