Top 10 Highest Paying Trades Jobs in Toronto (2026)

If you want the highest paying trades jobs in Toronto, the short answer is licensed, in-demand skills on big projects — not general labour. Electricians, plumbers, elevator mechanics, and industrial instrument techs routinely earn $40–$55 per hour or more once certified, with overtime pushing weekly pay well above office jobs. General construction labour pays less but gets you in the door fast.

Toronto's building boom, transit expansion, and aging infrastructure keep skilled trades tight. Employers compete on pay, not just job ads. Here is where the money actually sits in 2026 — and how to move toward those roles without wasting years on the wrong path.

Quick takeaways

• Licensed trades (electrician, plumber, HVAC, elevator mechanic) top the pay chart in Toronto — often $80,000–$120,000+ annually with overtime.
• Union sites and ICI (industrial, commercial, institutional) work usually pay more than small residential gigs, but residential specialists with steady clients can still earn well.
• Apprenticeship is the main route for most high-paying trades — expect 4–5 years of paid on-the-job training plus schooling.
• Red Seal certification opens doors across Canada; Ontario trades certificates matter locally for licensing bodies.
• General labour and helper roles pay $22–$32/hour — useful for experience, not the ceiling.
• Browse current openings on trades jobs in Toronto or jobs in Toronto to see live pay ranges.

How we ranked these roles

Pay varies by employer, union status, overtime, and specialty. We looked at typical Toronto/GTA ranges from Job Bank wage reports, union scale sheets where public, and what contractors report hiring for in 2026.

Numbers below are hourly base ranges for experienced, licensed workers unless noted. Overtime at 1.5× can add 20–40% to a paycheque on busy projects.

Top 10 highest paying trades in Toronto

1. Elevator mechanic

Elevator and escalator mechanics are among the highest-paid trades in the GTA. The work is specialized, safety-critical, and regulated. Expect $45–$58/hour for journeypersons, higher on union maintenance contracts.

Path: 4-year apprenticeship, strong math and mechanical aptitude, often through UA or employer-sponsored programs.

2. Industrial electrician

Electricians who work in plants, transit, hospitals, and data centres earn more than many residential wiremen. $42–$55/hour is common for licensed 309A electricians with ICI experience.

See our full breakdown in the electrician salary guide.

3. Plumber (licensed)

Licensed plumbers in Toronto handle high-rise rough-ins, commercial fit-outs, and service calls that pay premium rates. Journeypersons often land $40– $52/hour, with service plumbers on call rotation earning more.

Ontario licensing is strict — our step-by-step plumber guide walks through the path.

4. HVAC / refrigeration mechanic

Climate systems in condos, labs, and food plants need certified techs. Refrigeration specialists especially command $38– $50/hour. Gas technician licences (G2/G3) add employability.

5. Steamfitter / pipefitter

Pipefitters on industrial and institutional sites weld, thread, and install high-pressure systems. Union industrial rates often exceed $45/hour. Heavy physical work, strong demand on energy and infrastructure projects.

6. Ironworker / structural steel

Ironworkers erect steel on towers and bridges — one of the higher-paid construction trades when work is steady. Experienced hands see $38– $48/hour on union high-rise projects.

7. Boilermaker

Boilermakers build and repair boilers, tanks, and heavy vessels. Niche but well paid when plants refit or shutdown season hits. $40– $50/hour is typical for qualified journeypersons.

8. Sheet metal worker

Ductwork for commercial towers, hospitals, and transit keeps sheet metal workers busy. $35– $46/hour for experienced workers; overtime common during commissioning pushes.

9. Low-rise / residential electrician (experienced)

Not every electrician works downtown towers. Experienced residential electricians with their own truck, tools, and client base can match ICI pay through volume and service premiums — often $35– $48/hour equivalent.

10. Construction supervisor / foreperson

Not a trade licence in the same sense, but experienced foremen with 10+ years move into $38– $55/hour plus benefits. You need field credibility, safety tickets, and scheduling skills.

Union vs non-union pay

Union halls (IBEW, UA, LiUNA, and others) publish wage scales that set floors on signatory jobs. Non-union shops sometimes pay higher cash rates to attract talent; others pay less with fewer benefits.

We compare both paths in union vs non-union trades jobs in Toronto. Neither is automatically better — match the route to your goals and tolerance for hall dispatch rules.

What about general labour?

Labourers and helpers are essential — and often the first rung. Pay runs $22– $32/hour in Toronto depending on site, tickets (WHMIS, working at heights), and company. It is not top of this list, but it is how many apprentices start.

If you are hiring labour, post clearly: rate, neighbourhood, shift length, and whether the role leads somewhere. Post a job free →

How to actually land higher-paying trades work

Get licensed or apprenticing. Toronto employers paying top dollar want proof — Ontario College of Trades registration, trade school progress, or Red Seal.

Stack safety tickets. Working at heights, confined space, first aid — they signal you can start Monday without extra training.

Target the right sector. ICI, transit, healthcare builds, and industrial shutdowns pay more than small renos.

Use a board that fits trades hiring. Big sites bury skilled roles under office jobs. Browse trades listings filtered for Toronto — pay and neighbourhood upfront.

Show up reliable. In trades, referrals beat résumés. One foreman who trusts you is worth fifty online applications.

By the numbers

Statistics Canada tracks construction and trades employment as a major share of Ontario's workforce. Toronto's residential and non-residential building permits remain a leading indicator — when permits rise, electrician and plumber demand follows a few months later. (Statistics Canada — Labour data)

Skills Ontario and local colleges (George Brown, Humber, Centennial) report steady apprenticeship intake in electrical, plumbing, and HVAC — competition for spots is real, but so is retirements leaving gaps. (Skills Ontario)

FAQ

What is the highest paying trade in Toronto?

Elevator mechanics and industrial electricians typically top hourly wage surveys in the GTA, often exceeding $45/hour base before overtime. Exact rank shifts year to year with project mix.

Do trades jobs in Toronto pay more than office jobs?

Many licensed journeypersons out-earn entry-level and mid-level office roles once overtime is included. Apprentices earn less during training — the payoff comes after certification.

How long does it take to reach top trades pay?

Most apprenticeships run four to five years. You earn while you learn, but journeyperson rates apply only after passing the certificate of qualification exam.

Is Red Seal required in Ontario?

Red Seal is not mandatory for every Ontario trade, but it helps if you plan to work in other provinces. Ontario licensing still governs who can perform restricted work locally.

Where can I find trades jobs in Toronto?

Check Worktap trades listings, union hall job lines, and employer sites. For context on how hourly hiring works locally, read why Toronto needs a dedicated hourly job board.

What's next

Looking for trades work? Browse trades jobs in Toronto →

Hiring skilled staff? Post a job free →

Comparing union and open shop? Union vs non-union trades guide →

Also hiring in hospitality? Browse hospitality jobs →

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Worktap lists hourly trades and construction roles across Toronto. Every job is reviewed before it goes live.