Newly certified journeypersons in Canada earned a median employment income of $58,090 in 2023 — the highest level recorded since tracking began in 2008, according to new data from Statistics Canada.
The figure represents a 1.8 per cent increase, or $1,080 more than the previous year. For HR professionals and workforce planners, the results signal continued demand for skilled trades workers, though the gains were far from evenly distributed across the country.
Regional splits: East falls, West rises
Four provinces recorded declines in median employment income between 2022 and 2023. New Brunswick saw the largest drop at 3.0 per cent (-$1,720), followed by Quebec at 1.9 per cent (-$1,010), Ontario at 0.8 per cent (-$460) and Nova Scotia at 0.4 per cent (-$230). Together, those four provinces account for 64.4 per cent of all tradespeople in Canada.
The national increase was carried largely by western provinces. Standout gains included powerline technicians in British Columbia (+17.0 per cent; +$23,750), crane operators in Alberta (+16.7 per cent; +$17,530), and welders in Saskatchewan (+13.1 per cent; +$7,120).
Trade-by-trade: Equipment sectors lead growth
Several trades posted strong year-over-year income gains. Agricultural equipment technicians saw median income rise 10.1 per cent to $65,770, heavy-duty equipment technicians climbed 7.5 per cent to $88,230, and truck and transport mechanics increased 6.8 per cent to $69,580. Statistics Canada noted all three trades have seen consistent income growth since 2020, reflecting sustained demand in equipment-related and transportation sectors.
Not all trades fared as well. Landscape horticulturists recorded the steepest decline, with median income falling 9.2 per cent to $35,210. Machinists dropped 4.0 per cent to $58,180, and powerline technicians nationally fell 3.8 per cent to $104,190 — though that figure varies significantly by province, as the British Columbia data illustrates. Ironworkers and motor vehicle body repairers continued to earn below their pre-pandemic 2019 income levels.
Interprovincial movement ticks upward
Mobility among newly certified journeypersons continues a gradual upward trend. In 2023, 6.0 per cent of newly certified journeypersons lived or worked in a different province or territory from where they were certified — up 0.3 per cent from 2022.
British Columbia drew 22.8 per cent of all interprovincial movers and recorded a net gain of 225 journeypersons (+3.3 per cent). Ontario also saw a net gain of 65 journeypersons (+0.7 per cent). Alberta continued to lose workers on a net basis, recording a decline of 175 journeypersons (-3.2 per cent) — a trend that has persisted since 2016.
Statistics Canada attributed Alberta’s continued negative net migration in part to a slower rebound in non-energy construction, even as the province’s oil and gas sector has recovered significantly from its 2020 downturn.
What this means for employers
The data comes from the Education and Labour Market Longitudinal Platform, which tracks earnings and mobility of certified journeypersons across Canada. The series runs from 2008 to 2023.
For employers navigating tight labour markets in skilled trades, the regional and trade-specific income gaps point to areas where compensation benchmarking and workforce planning may need attention. Organizations in Ontario and eastern Canada, in particular, may face retention challenges if wage growth continues to lag western counterparts.
Percent change in median employment income of newly certified journeypersons in 2023, by trade
| Trade | % Change |
|---|---|
| Agricultural equipment technician | +10.1% |
| Heavy-duty equipment technician | +7.5% |
| Early childhood educator | +6.9% |
| Truck and transport mechanic | +6.8% |
| Automotive service technician | +5.1% |
| Industrial instrumentation and control technician | +4.9% |
| Plumber | +3.6% |
| Industrial mechanic (millwright) | +3.2% |
| Developmental services worker | +2.6% |
| Roofer | +2.5% |
| Sheet metal worker | +1.9% |
| Welder | +1.7% |
| Hairstylists and barbers | +1.6% |
| Construction electrician | +1.1% |
| Motor vehicle body repairer | +0.8% |
| Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic | +0.3% |
| Steamfitter/pipefitter | +0.2% |
| Crane operator | -0.4% |
| Esthetician | -0.7% |
| Ironworker | -0.8% |
| Cook | -1.0% |
| Industrial electrician | -1.4% |
| Carpenter | -1.9% |
| Bricklayer | -3.8% |
| Powerline technician | -3.8% |
| Machinist | -4.0% |
| Landscape horticulturist | -9.2% |
Source: Statistics Canada
