Sheet Metal Workers in Canada earn a median of $34.07/hr, within a Job Bank range of $22.70–$45.95/hr (NOC 72102, 2023–2024 data, updated November 2025). Job Bank’s 2025–2027 employment outlook for the occupation is Moderate in Alberta, Limited in Ontario and British Columbia, and Very limited in Quebec. This guide covers current 308A Sheet Metal Worker compensation across Canada in 2026.
Hourly pay figures on this page are Government of Canada Job Bank data for everyone working in the occupation, not only certified tradespeople. The 308A exam is 120 questions in 4 hours and the pass mark is 70%, which is 84 correct.
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Sheet Metal Worker Wages by Province (2026)
Each bar shows the Job Bank low–high hourly wage for Sheet Metal Workers (NOC 72102), with the median for single provinces; bar length follows the median, using Nova Scotia's for the Atlantic bar (2023–2024 data, updated November 19, 2025). Union members are paid under their local's collective agreement, and non-union rates vary by employer.
Alberta
Alberta's Job Bank median for Sheet Metal Workers ($30.00/hr, 2023–2024 data) is below the national median ($34.07/hr); Quebec ($40.00/hr) and Ontario ($35.00/hr) have the highest provincial medians. Demand comes from industrial construction in the oil sands region and major commercial projects in Calgary and Edmonton. Industrial sheet metal work — high-temperature exhaust systems, dust collection at mines and processing facilities — pushes wages to the top of the range, with remote premiums and shift differentials adding further.
British Columbia
Unionized BC Sheet Metal Workers are represented by SMART locals, including Local 280 (Burnaby) and Local 276 (Victoria, which covers Vancouver Island).
Ontario
Ontario has the largest volume of Sheet Metal Worker employment in the country. Unionized Sheet Metal Workers in the Toronto area are represented by SMART locals, including Local 30 and Local 285. Northern Ontario industrial work — mines and resource processing — pays at the upper end of the provincial range.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan wages are competitive for journeypersons with industrial experience. The mining sector and large commercial projects in Saskatoon and Regina drive demand, and the smaller workforce means less competition for positions than in larger provinces.
Manitoba
Manitoba offers solid wages relative to cost of living. Winnipeg's commercial construction sector and periodic large industrial projects (Manitoba Hydro) sustain demand.
Quebec
Quebec Sheet Metal Workers in construction are paid under the sector collective agreements, whose application the CCQ oversees. Benefits mandated by the CCQ come on top of base wages.
Atlantic Provinces
Job Bank medians (2023–2024 data) are $27.30/hr in New Brunswick and $29.00/hr in Nova Scotia, below the national median of $34.07/hr, while Newfoundland and Labrador's $34.75/hr is slightly above it. Job Bank does not publish a Prince Edward Island figure for this occupation.
Apprentice Wage Scale
Sheet Metal Worker apprentices progress through a wage scale that increases each year. In Alberta, a Sheet Metal Worker apprentice must be paid at least a set percentage of the rate received by the lowest-paid journeyperson at the same company (Alberta Tradesecrets, checked September 2026). Other provinces set their own rules, and employers or collective agreements may pay more:
| Apprenticeship Period (Alberta) | Minimum % of Journeyperson Rate |
|---|---|
| Period 1 | 50% |
| Period 2 | 65% |
| Period 3 | 75% |
| Period 4 | 85% |
| Journeyperson | 100% |
Union vs. Non-Union Sheet Metal Pay
Sheet Metal Workers have strong union representation through SMART (the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers), formerly the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA). Here is how compensation compares:
| Factor | Union (SMWIA/SMART) | Non-Union |
|---|---|---|
| Base hourly wage | Set by the local's collective agreement | Set by the employer (Job Bank range for all workers, Canada: $22.70–$45.95/hr, 2023–24) |
| Benefits package | Comprehensive health, dental, vision | Partial or variable |
| Pension | Defined benefit or strong RRSP | Group RRSP if any |
| Apprenticeship training | SMWIA training centres, structured curriculum | Employer-dependent quality |
| Fabrication shop work | Available through local dispatch | Employer-specific |
| Advancement | Seniority-influenced | Merit-based |
Specialty Premiums
Sheet Metal Workers who develop specialty skills command significant premiums above base journeyperson rates:
- Industrial ductwork and welding: stainless steel and high-alloy work can pay above standard commercial rates; the premium is set by the employer or collective agreement
- TAB (Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing): TAB work can pay above base journeyperson rates (Job Bank publishes no separate TAB figure) — in some jurisdictions, additional certification such as TABB may be required
- Architectural sheet metal: Copper, zinc, and premium metal roofing specialists can earn above standard installation rates
- CNC machine operation: Plasma cutter and press brake programming operators in fabrication shops earn above base journeyperson rate for the specialized skill
- Red Seal: Job Bank does not publish a separate wage for Red Seal holders; the endorsement's clearest value is interprovincial mobility
Maximize Your Earnings
The highest-earning Sheet Metal Workers combine their Red Seal with welding certification (CWB) and either TAB accreditation or CNC fabrication skills. This profile makes you employable at the intersection of fabrication, field installation, and commissioning — a combination that commands top wages in both industrial and commercial markets.
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