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Quick answer: Job Bank does not publish a separate apprentice wage, but it lists electricians (NOC 72200) at C$20.00 an hour on the low end, C$35.00 median and C$48.00 high across Canada. Treat the low figure as a rough marker for early-career pay, not as an apprentice rate. The exact apprentice rate comes from your province’s rules and your employer’s terms, so ask for both in writing.
Electrician wages by province (hourly)
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$20.00 | C$35.00 | C$48.00 |
| Alberta | C$21.50 | C$38.00 | C$46.00 |
| British Columbia | C$20.00 | C$34.00 | C$47.49 |
| Manitoba | C$17.15 | C$35.00 | C$46.00 |
| Ontario | C$20.00 | C$34.00 | C$50.50 |
| Quebec | C$22.40 | C$41.30 | C$44.79 |
| Saskatchewan | C$19.00 | C$37.50 | C$48.00 |
Reference period 2023 to 2024, updated by Job Bank on November 19, 2025 (Job Bank).
How to work out your own apprentice pay
- Ask your provincial apprenticeship authority whether it sets apprentice wage rates for the trade.
- Ask each employer for the starting rate and the raise at each level, in writing.
- Compare against the low figure for your province in the table above.
- Plan the length: 7,200 hours in most provinces, 9,000 in Ontario, 9,800 in Quebec, per the Ellis Chart.
- Budget for school periods; technical training runs 28 to 40 weeks in total depending on the province.
Practice for the Red Seal electrician exam
This page covers the route into the trade. For the exam itself, our main page is the Canada electrician exam guide: the Red Seal Construction Electrician exam format, the Quebec CCQ route, the wiring code and the official links in one place.
Try the free Canada electrician practice test in your browser. The questions are original and follow the Red Seal Construction Electrician exam breakdown and the Canadian Electrical Code; Quebec’s CCQ exam is not covered yet. The one-time Canada exam pack unlocks every Canada question and a printable PDF version, with no subscription.
Get a route plan for your own situation
This page gives the general route. If you want it worked out for your location, budget and schedule, the AI-Assisted Personalized Electrician Route Plan turns a short, non-sensitive intake into a written primary and fallback route, a 0 to 12 month milestone plan and a dated source register, delivered within five business days of a complete intake. It is an AI-assisted service with automated checks, not a human coach or live session, and it does not guarantee admission, a license or a job. To compare it with the other options first, see all electrician career products.
FAQ
How much does a first-year electrician apprentice make in Canada?
The official data does not publish a first-year figure. Use Job Bank’s low wage for your province as a rough marker and confirm the real rate with the employer.
Which province pays electricians the most?
In this Job Bank table Quebec has the highest median at C$41.30 an hour, followed by Alberta at C$38.00.
Do apprentices get paid during school?
Rules differ by province. Ask your authority about income support during technical training blocks.
Sources
Page updated: 2026-09-30. Figures were read from the linked official pages on 2026-09-30.
About the author: Engineer Tsai moved from an office job into electrical and MEP field work in Taiwan and holds Taiwanese indoor wiring and water piping technician certificates. Engineer Tsai has not completed a Canadian apprenticeship or held a Canadian certificate, so every Canadian rule on this page links to its official source.
