15 Highest Paying Blue Collar Jobs in Canada
It is very hard for a poorly qualified person to get a high-paying job in Canada in today’s world. But still, there are many jobs in the blue-collar sector that you can even get with a high school diploma, and they will pay you more than enough. These jobs include repair, craft, and service occupations.
In this article, we are going to enlist 15 highest paying blue collar jobs. Their outlook, pay rate, and scope will also be discussed. To know everything about the blue-collar sector, read this article till the very end.
15 Highest Paying Blue Collar Jobs in Canada
Let’s discuss the top 15 best paying blue collar jobs for people working in Canada. Each section contains a job description, requirements, and average salary in Canadian dollars.
1. Electrician
Electricians repair and maintain electrical fixtures and wiring. Their job is to look after electrical equipment and troubleshoot fixture problems.
You can even pursue this profession by earning a high school diploma only. In addition, an Industrial Electrician certificate is a must-have to work as an electrician in Canada. They should also be familiar with the Canada Electric Code.
National average salary: $78,352 per year.
2. Plumber
Plumbers install and maintain water pipelines and fixtures. Also, they are responsible for the maintenance of sinks and toilets. You can become a plumber with a secondary school diploma, but you must finish a 4 to a 5-year apprenticeship to earn certification. Otherwise, you can get a certificate by gaining hands-on 3 to 4 years of experience.
National average salary: $70,821 per year.
3. Welder
A welder specializes in dealing with metals. For instance, he inspects and joins metals by using metallurgical equipment. In addition to this, he also polishes welded surfaces.
To become a welder in Canada, you need a high school diploma along with a 3-4 years training certificate. And if you are fascinated about the underwater world and have an interest in welding too, you can also become an underwater welder as well.
National average salary: $42,900 per year.
4. Boilermaker
Boilermakers manufacture and install boilers and tanks. They read blueprints and are also responsible for repairing and maintaining boiler parts.
A boilermaker must have a high school diploma along with 3 to 4 years of apprenticeship certification. However, some employers may hire based on experience only. It is also one of the high paying labor jobs.
National average salary: $85,000 per year.
5. General Contractor
A general contractor offers his services for construction projects. They often work as a foreman and coordinate projects.
Bachelor’s level degree in civil engineering or construction technology is a must-have to opt for this profession. If you have a master’s degree, then it will give you an edge to get a better job.
National average salary: $64,675 per year.
6. Firefighter
Firefighters specialize in operating fire extinguishing tools and equipment. They also deal with fire emergencies in residential or commercial areas.
A college degree in fire protection technology or fire science is required to become a firefighter. In addition, you may also need an EMT (emergency medical technician) certification to qualify for this job.
National average salary: $61,581 per year.
7. Construction Inspector
Construction inspectors are responsible for examining construction projects such as bridges, streets, dams, etc. They have to make sure that the construction work quality meets the standards. You will need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction, or architecture to choose this field.
Some companies may also demand a LEED certificate for this position.
National average salary: $63,824 per year.
8. Commercial Driver
These blue-collar workers are usually hired for truck driving. They transport goods and materials from one place to another. They also have to load and unload cargo. A secondary school diploma and a class 1 license is also required for this job.
National average salary: $49,718 per year
9. Brickmason
A brick mason lifts bricks and building materials on construction sites. His work is manual and thus requires a lot of grinding. But a person doesn’t require a college or high school diploma for this job. Only the on-field experience is enough.
National average salary: $58,500 per year
10. Aircraft Mechanic
Aircraft mechanics specialize in dealing with hydraulic and pneumatic systems. These technicians diagnose and also repair aircraft assemblies and engines.
Typically, a high school or college diploma is required for this job. A certification or AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s) license is also needed. It is one of the highest paying blue collar jobs in Canada.
National average salary: $85,973 per year.
11. Pile Driver Operator
These operators specialize in operating pile drivers mounted on locomotive cranes, barges, or skids. Moreover, they drive pilings for structural foundations such as buildings or bridges.
The job requires a secondary or high school diploma and a certification.
National average salary: $76,278 per year
12. Elevator Installers and Repairer
These specialists install and repair passenger elevators. They also maintain escalators, hydraulic freight, or dumbwaiters. You need to earn a license and your GED to enter this field.
National average salary: $73,613 per year.
13. Transportation Inspector
These are the persons who inspect rail and other vehicles. Also, they are responsible for the safe transport of people or goods. GED is enough for this job, but a driving license and apprenticeship are required.
National average salary: $43,631 per year.
14. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
These are the specialists that control nuclear power reactors. They know how to start and stop nuclear equipment, adjust controls, and move nuclear rods. Also, they record all this data. In addition, they tackle emergencies and fix abnormalities.
The job requires a bachelor-level relevant degree and training certificate.
National average salary: $69,834 a year.
15. Power Plant Operator
A power plant operator specializes in operating the machinery used in electrical power plants. They control and also maintain the auxiliary equipment used there. It is one of the high-paid blue-collar jobs and a career as a plant operator is good for you. In addition to your college degree, you will have to complete a training program to get this job.
National average salary: $94,597 per year.
Is it Worthwhile to Work in the Blue-Collar Sector?
Blue-collar, unlike white-collar workers, refer to those workers who work in hard manual labor. These workers work typically in agriculture, mining, construction, or maintenance.
Blue-collar workers can be skilled or unskilled. If they are skilled, then they may get a job based on a high school diploma. But if they are unskilled, then they must go through a bachelor’s program at a college or university. They have to deal with heavy machinery and animals; the environment may be outdoors.
According to recent studies, blue collar jobs in Canada will continue to be in demand in the future. Canadian businesses are facing it hard to find blue-collar workers. According to blue-collar Canadian workers, doing a blue-collar job is a smart decision. It’s truly worth it to do a blue-collar job in Canada.
What is the Average Blue-Collar Wage?
This depends on your degree, job title, and the industry you are working in. However, the basic wage per hour from some blue collar jobs examples is given below:
Minimum Rate
It is the lowest amount you can earn by working blue in Canada. You can find the highest paying labor jobs in the regions of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and New Brunswick, while Quebec pays the lowest.
For instance, let’s compare the rates of some states here:
| Name of Province | Rate (per hour) |
|---|---|
| Alberta | 15$ |
| British Columbia | 15.2$ |
| Labrador | 12.50$ |
| Manitoba | 11.9$ |
| New Brunswick | 11.75$ |
Average Wage
If we talk about the average wage of blue-collar workers in Canada, it lies between $28.2 to $32.6 per hour. The oiling, gas, and mining companies offer the highest paying blue collar jobs in Canada. At the same time, retailers and food service providers earn the lowest wages.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1- What is a blue-collar worker?
People who perform strenuous manual labor, usually in the construction, mining, production, or maintenance industries, are referred to as blue-collar workers. Blue-collar workers generally operate outside of offices, for example, at a construction location. They commonly earn hourly incomes; however, some hiring managers choose to compensate them yearly or per project.
2- What blue-collar jobs make 100k a year?
The following blue-collar jobs earn 100k per year:
- Oil Rig Workers
- Police Officers
- Construction Managers
- Farmers and Ranchers
- Bartenders
3- What job makes the most money without a degree?
Real estate agents or realtors make the most money, even without a degree. They can earn, on average, about $71,686 – $202,000 per year.
A customer hires a real estate agent to assist them in purchasing, selling, or renting a property. They help clients throughout the whole purchasing and selling procedure, offering pricing guidance based on comparative market analysis, negotiating a pricing rate that both the purchaser and the seller can concur upon, and ensuring that all paperwork is relevant and delivered on time.
Conclusion
We enlisted the 15 highest paying blue collar jobs in Canada. We hope you found the one matching your expectations from this blue collar jobs list. These jobs are the best options, especially for people who don’t have a college degree. In addition, they offer a rewarding career.
The Primus Workforce team is proudly built on hands-on industry knowledge and experience.