TRADE REPORT · LAST VERIFIED 2026-10-15
Glazier (424A) Wages & Outlook in Canada — Trade Report
Also known as: Architectural Glass and Metal Technician, 424A, architectural glass technician, glass installer.
Everything worth knowing about the Glazier trade in Canada, on one page: pay by province, the real job outlook, the apprenticeship and Red Seal route, and how the exam is actually built. Every number here traces to its source and its date. Nothing is guessed at.
The trade in 30 seconds
Median hourly wage$30.16/hrCanada range $22.00–$43.09/hr
Red Seal exam120 questions70% pass mark · four hours
Projected openings2,20010-year national total, 2024–2033 (COPS)
This trade employed about 5,400 people across Canada as of 2023 (NOC 73111 (Job Bank/COPS group 73111 covers glaziers, architectural glass and metal technicians, and glazier apprentices; stats include apprentices and are not journeypersons-only)) [4]. This trade has been Red Seal-designated since 1986 [2]. Trade certification is compulsory in Quebec; voluntary in Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut. [6]
Practice Glazier (Red Seal) free →
What you'll earn
According to Job Bank's own wage data (reference period 2023-2024), the national median sits at $30.16/hour, with a spread from $22.00 to $43.09 [3]. The published spread runs from $26.51/hour in Nova Scotia to $35.00/hour in Quebec.
Median hourly wage by province/territory, highest to lowest
Quebec$35.00/hr
British Columbia$30.00/hr
Ontario$30.00/hr
Alberta$28.00/hr
Nova Scotia$26.51/hr
Manitobano data
New Brunswickno data
Newfoundland & Labradorno data
Northwest Territoriesno data
Nunavutno data
Prince Edward Islandno data
Saskatchewanno data
Yukonno data
Some smaller jurisdictions don't publish separate wage data for this occupation.
View exact numbers
| Province / territory | Median | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $35.00 | $24.00–$43.94 |
| British Columbia | $30.00 | $23.00–$39.00 |
| Ontario | $30.00 | $20.68–$44.70 |
| Alberta | $28.00 | $20.00–$37.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $26.51 | $18.00–$33.66 |
| Manitoba | — | no data published |
| New Brunswick | — | no data published |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | — | no data published |
| Northwest Territories | — | no data published |
| Nunavut | — | no data published |
| Prince Edward Island | — | no data published |
| Saskatchewan | — | no data published |
| Yukon | — | no data published |
Source: Job Bank wage report, NOC 73111, updated 2025-11-19 [3]. Non-wage benefits reach 93.1% of workers in this occupation nationally, per the same source.
Certified already? The whole point of the Red Seal is that it isn't province-locked — the table above shows what that portability is actually worth.
Where the jobs are
Canada's own 10-year projection for this trade reads: labour demand and labour supply are expected to be broadly in line, 2024-2033, at the national level (balanced labour market conditions) [5] The workforce is 27% aged 50 or older, with a median retirement age of 66.0 [4]. Most work is in construction 92% — heavy concentration in commercial and residential building construction [5].
Why openings exist
34%66%
New jobs from growthOpenings from retirements/departures
expansion ~34%; replacement ~66% (of which ~75% retirements) — balanced outlook.
Job Bank 3-year employment outlook by province
Good
Saskatchewan
Moderate
Nova Scotia, Alberta
Limited
Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia
Undetermined
Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
View as a table
| Rating | Provinces |
|---|---|
| Good | Saskatchewan |
| Moderate | Nova Scotia, Alberta |
| Limited | Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia |
| Undetermined | Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut |
Source: Job Bank outlook report, NOC 73111, updated 2025-12-10 [4].
The path to Red Seal
Total apprenticeship hours, by jurisdiction
- 7,200 total hours in NS/MB/SK/AB/BC/YT/NT/NU
- Ontario 8,000 (7,280 on-job + 720 technical)
- Quebec 7,350 (6,000 on-job + 1,350 technical)
- NL/PE/NB do not offer an apprenticeship training program (designated, challenge-only or out-of-province)
Source: interjurisdictional apprenticeship comparison [6].
Already in the trade but skipped formal apprenticeship?
Challenge / trade-qualifier hours, by jurisdiction
- 10,800 in NL/NS/MB/SK/YT
- 10,000 PE
- 9,990 BC
- 9,720 AB
- 9,000 NT/NU
- 8,000 ON
- 7,200 NB
- no challenge route in QC
Source: interjurisdictional apprenticeship comparison [6].
Provincial & territorial regulators, exam rewrites & challenger rules
| Jurisdiction & authority | Status | Exam rewrite & challenger rules |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) / Skilled Trades Alberta [13] | Voluntary | Rewrites: Wait per authority; If second attempt score is 60-69%, formal Training Plan required within 30 days. If <60% or 3rd failure, application is cancelled.. Challenger: Typically 1.5x standard apprenticeship work hours (e.g., 7,020 to 9,360 hours depending on trade).. |
| British Columbia SkilledTradesBC [14] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Apprentice advisor consultation after 3rd attempt; proof of upgrading required after 4th attempt.. Challenger: Typically 1.5x apprenticeship hours (e.g., 9,000+ hours or 5+ years hands-on work).. |
| Manitoba Apprenticeship Manitoba [16] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Under General Regulation, candidates failing 2 or more times may be required by the Executive Director to complete upgrading before rewriting.. Challenger: 1.5x apprenticeship duration (typically 6 years and 9,600 to 10,800 hours).. |
| New Brunswick Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification (AOC), Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL) [17] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Scoring <=59% or failing 2 attempts triggers automatic referral to New Brunswick Learning Strategy Program.. Challenger: 1.5x apprenticeship training hours (typically 7,200 to 10,800 hours).. |
| Newfoundland & Labrador Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division (ATCD), Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills [18] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Apprentices failing 2 attempts and Trade Qualifiers failing 3 attempts are required to complete Self-Study Program (30-90 days) and counselling session.. Challenger: 1.5x apprenticeship on-the-job training hours (e.g., 10,800 hours for 4-year trades).. |
| Northwest Territories Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupation Certification (ATOC), Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) [19] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Failing an exam twice requires establishing and completing a structured work/training plan with employer and CDO.. Challenger: Typically 1.5x apprenticeship hours (~9,000 hours).. |
| Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA) [20] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; After 2 unsuccessful attempts, candidate must complete remedial training approved by an Industry Training Consultant.. Challenger: 1.5x apprenticeship term (typically 7,200 to 10,800 hours).. |
| Nunavut Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Unit, Department of Family Services [21] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Multiple failures trigger administrative review with regional CDO and employer to establish remedial learning requirements.. Challenger: Typically 1.5x apprenticeship hours (~9,000 hours).. |
| Ontario Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) [22] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; After repeated failures, candidates are advised to complete targeted upgrading before subsequent bookings.. Challenger: Work experience hours must equal or exceed total Ontario apprenticeship training hours (on-the-job + in-school, e.g., 9,000 hours for 5-year trades).. |
| Prince Edward Island Apprenticeship and Training Section, Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population (Apprenticeship PEI) [23] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Multiple failures evaluated individually; mandatory upgrading or structured review assigned before rebooking.. Challenger: 1.5x apprenticeship term (e.g., 7,400 hours for Welder, 10,800 hours for 4-year trades within past 10 years).. |
| Quebec Commission de la construction du Quebec (CCQ) [Construction] / Emploi-Quebec [Non-Construction] [24] | Compulsory | Rewrites: 90-day wait after fail; CCQ dynamically assigns waiting period based on apprentice periods and section scores to ensure on-the-job progression.. Challenger: Trade qualifier route available. |
| Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) [25] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 90-day wait after fail; After 3rd unsuccessful attempt, mandatory upgrading must be approved and completed via MyATC before further attempts.. Challenger: 1.5x apprenticeship term (typically 7,200 to 10,800 hours depending on trade).. |
| Yukon Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Unit, Department of Education (Yukon Apprenticeship) [26] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Failing a 3rd attempt requires repeating the technical training level before being permitted to test again.. Challenger: 1.5x standard Yukon apprenticeship hours (typically 9,000 to 10,800 hours).. |
Money on the table (active federal supports): Canada Apprentice Loan: up to $4,000 per period of technical training (up to 5 periods), interest-free until you complete or leave your apprenticeship; Employment Insurance (EI) for Apprentices: income support during full-time block classroom training (one waiting period for the entire apprenticeship); Tradesperson's Tools Deduction and Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit via the Canada Revenue Agency [10].
Announced federal package: the Team Canada Strong announcement includes $6B plan to recruit 80,000-100,000 new Red Seal trades workers over five years; $400/week Apprenticeship Training Grant during in-class technical training, worth up to $16,000 per apprentice, in addition to EI; one-time $5,000 Red Seal completion bonus. announced April 2026; amounts are 'up to' figures with first payments scheduled no earlier than fall 2026 (2026-27 fiscal year) — check Canada.ca for application opening dates [12]
- In Ontario, the trade is officially titled 'Architectural Glass and Metal Technician'; in Quebec, it is titled 'Erector Mechanic (Glazier)' ('Monteur-mécanicien (vitrier)') and is compulsory [6]
- Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick designate Glazier as a Red Seal trade but do not provide an apprenticeship training program; Manitoba and Saskatchewan apprentices travel to Alberta for technical training [6]
The exam — and what to study most
This trade is tested with 120 questions, pass mark 70% [9], writing time four hours [7]. Study time should follow the actual weightings, not a guess — here's the official split:
Official exam weightings, highest to lowest
B — Fabricates and installs commercial window and door systems34%
E — Performs servicing19%
A — Performs common occupational skills17%
D — Fabricates and installs specialty glass, products and glass systems16%
C — Installs residential window and door systems14%
Sorted highest to lowest — Fabricates and installs commercial window and door systems (top) carries the most marks on its own (34%).
View exact numbers
| Block | Share of exam | ≈ Questions |
|---|---|---|
| B — Fabricates and installs commercial window and door systems | 34% | ~41 |
| E — Performs servicing | 19% | ~23 |
| A — Performs common occupational skills | 17% | ~20 |
| D — Fabricates and installs specialty glass, products and glass systems | 16% | ~19 |
| C — Installs residential window and door systems | 14% | ~17 |
Source: Red Seal exam information [7].
Bottom line: Fabricates and installs commercial window and door systems is 34% of the exam on its own. A per-block diagnostic beats guessing at what to review. Try a free diagnostic on Glazier (Red Seal) →
Common questions on the Red Seal path
Verified answers across the Red Seal journey: exam format, rewrite waiting periods, accommodations, interprovincial mobility, and employer/union sponsor rules — each linked to its primary government or regulator source.
View verified answers (23 questions)
| Question | Verified answer |
|---|---|
| Red Seal exam format, question count, time limit, and 70% pass mark | Every Red Seal interprovincial exam is a 4-hour, closed-book multiple-choice exam with 100 to 150 questions (depending on the trade) and a mandatory 70% pass mark. [9] |
| Why worked explanations and code/standard citations matter for passing | Memorizing answer letters fails on the Red Seal exam because exam forms rotate scenarios and values; understanding why an option is right—and why the three distractors are wrong—is what transfers to exam day. [9] |
| Which code edition and occupational standard govern a Red Seal exam | Each trade's exam is governed by its active Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) and the national code edition in force at the provincial exam sitting (such as the Canadian Electrical Code, National Plumbing Code, or CSA B149). [27] |
| How national NOC codes map to provincial trade codes (like 309A, 310S, 424A) | While the Red Seal exam is identical nationwide, provinces use their own registration codes and local titles—for example, Ontario uses 309A for Construction Electrician and 310S for Automotive Service Technician. [28] |
| How much practice is enough before booking the Red Seal exam | Aim to score 80% or higher consistently across every Major Work Activity block—not just overall—on timed, mixed-difficulty practice sets that include schematics, tables, and multi-step calculations. [9] |
| Trade Qualifier (Challenger) eligibility requirements and foreign credential assessment | Experienced tradespeople who did not complete a Canadian apprenticeship can apply to challenge the Red Seal exam by proving roughly 1.5 times the trade's apprenticeship hours (typically 8,100 to 10,800 hours) and full scope of trade skills. [29] |
| Federal apprentice grants (closed March 2025), Canada Apprentice Loan, EI, and tool tax deductions | The federal Apprenticeship Incentive Grant ($1,000/level) and Apprenticeship Completion Grant ($2,000) permanently closed on March 31, 2025; active federal supports include the interest-free Canada Apprentice Loan (up to $4,000 per school block), EI during block release, and the tradesperson's tool tax deduction. [30] |
| What to bring on Red Seal exam day and what is supplied in the room | Bring valid government-issued photo ID and your regulator's booking confirmation; the exam centre supplies the approved non-programmable calculator, pencils, scrap paper, formula sheet, and code book (if applicable). [9] |
| Red Seal exam rewrite waiting periods, attempt limits, and upgrading rules | If you score below 70%, you must wait 15 to 90 days (depending on your province) before rewriting, and after 2 to 3 failed attempts your provincial regulator requires an approved study plan or upgrading course before you can book again. [31] |
| Apprentice wage progression and certified journeyperson pay scales | Apprentices earn a stepped percentage of the journeyperson wage (typically starting at 50%–60% in Level 1 and rising to 80%–90% in Level 4), stepping up to 100% journeyperson rate once certified. [32] |
| Interprovincial Red Seal mobility, compulsory vs voluntary trades, and certificate renewal | The Red Seal endorsement (RSE) never expires and allows you to work in any province or territory without re-writing the certification exam, though compulsory trades require keeping your local provincial registration active. [33] |
| Apprenticeship duration, hours per level, and level exams vs final certification exam | Most Red Seal apprenticeships span 3 to 4 periods (levels), each requiring 1,500 to 1,800 logged on-the-job hours plus 6 to 8 weeks of in-school technical training, ending with the interprovincial Red Seal exam. [29] |
| Workers' compensation (WSIB / WorkSafe) coverage for apprentices, journeypersons, and contractors | Employed apprentices and journeypersons are covered by their employer's provincial workers' compensation account, while independent contractors in construction generally must register and maintain their own compulsory coverage. [34] |
| Employers & sponsors: apprentice supervision ratios, logbook sign-off, and hiring incentives | Employers sponsor apprentices through a Registered Training Agreement, must follow provincial journeyperson-to-apprentice supervision ratios, and can verify Red Seal credentials through provincial public registers. [30] |
| Clients & general contractors: verifying compulsory trade certificates, permits, and WSIB clearance | General contractors and property owners can verify a tradesperson's Certificate of Qualification on the provincial regulator's public register and must confirm an active WSIB/WorkSafe clearance certificate before work begins. [35] |
| Regulators & government: how CCDA, ESDC, and the 13 provincial authorities govern Red Seal trades | ESDC and the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) maintain the national Red Seal Occupational Standards (RSOS) and interprovincial exam bank, while the 13 provincial and territorial authorities administer training, eligibility, and sittings. [33] |
| Unions & training halls: joint apprenticeship committees, dispatch scales, and Red Seal exam prep | Trade unions (such as IBEW, UA, UBC, IUOE, and Ironworkers) operate Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs) that sponsor apprentices, deliver technical training, and tie full journeyperson dispatch rates to Red Seal certification. [36] |
| Colleges & trade instructors: aligning block-release curriculum with active Red Seal exam weightings | Public colleges, polytechnics, and accredited trade schools structure their in-school training blocks around the national Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) task matrix and official Major Work Activity exam weightings. [9] |
| Industry associations: National and Provincial Advisory Committees and standard updates | National and provincial trade associations nominate working journeypersons and employers to the workshops that write and update each trade's Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) and exam bank. [33] |
| Trade media & discovery: finding verified exam breakdowns, wages, and worked practice questions | Instead of relying on unverified forum threads or outdated PDF dumps, apprentices can verify exam block weightings, code editions, Ellis Chart hours, and Job Bank wages directly through official federal sources and cited Trade Reports. [27] |
| Suppliers & manufacturers: OEM specifications, WHMIS/SDS safety data, and code compliance on exams | Red Seal exams test generic trade principles, national codes, and WHMIS 2015 / SDS safety rules rather than brand-specific products, noting that manufacturer installation instructions govern wherever a code requires following certified listing specs. [9] |
| Financing, loans, and insurance: how apprentices fund training blocks and how contractors insure work | Apprentices fund training blocks through Employment Insurance (EI) and the interest-free Canada Apprentice Loan (up to $4,000/block), while independent contractors require commercial liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. [37] |
| Recruiters & job boards: NOC 2021 codes, provincial trade codes, and labour-market outlooks | Canadian trade job postings and labour-market forecasts are indexed by 5-digit NOC 2021 codes, provincial trade codes (like 309A or 310S), and Red Seal endorsement (RSE) status. [38] |
Practice against the same standard
Practice questions for Glazier are built against the same standard shown above, organized the same way — so a weak block in practice is a weak block on exam day. Free to start, no account required. The full bank runs 600 questions.
Practice Glazier (Red Seal) free →
The best links
- red-seal.ca — Official Red Seal Glazier page: designation (1986), standard, and exam links.
- red-seal.ca — The exam's official structure: 120 questions across 5 blocks, question types, and sample questions.
- red-seal.ca — Official block and task weightings for the Glazier Red Seal exam.
- www.jobbank.gc.ca — Government of Canada wage data by province (2023-2024 Employment Insurance Survey Data).
- www.jobbank.gc.ca — Job Bank: three-year prospects by province and ten-year national outlook.
- occupations.esdc.gc.ca — COPS 2024-2033 (NOC 73111): projected openings, seekers, and demographic breakdown.
- ellischart.ca — Ellis Chart (ESDC): apprenticeship hours, technical training delivery, and challenge pathways across all 13 jurisdictions.
- red-seal.ca — The official Red Seal exam prep guide: 70% pass mark, four-hour writing time, question formats.
Sources
- Statistics Canada — NOC 73111 occupation definition. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Red Seal — Glazier trade profile. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Job Bank — Wages: Glazier (NOC 73111). Data period 2023-2024; updated 2025-11-19. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Job Bank — Outlook (NOC 73111). updated 2025-12-10. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- ESDC — Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) 2024-2033. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Ellis Chart (ESDC) — interjurisdictional apprenticeship comparison. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Red Seal — exam information. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Red Seal — exam weightings. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- The official Red Seal exam prep guide: 70% pass mark, four-hour writing time, question formats. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Government of Canada — Financial support for apprentices (Canada Apprentice Loan, EI, tax deductions). Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Employment and Social Development Canada — Apprenticeship Grants closure notice (ended March 31, 2025). Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Prime Minister's Office — Team Canada Strong announcement. updated 2026-04-29. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- alberta — Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) / Skilled Trades Alberta. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- british_columbia — SkilledTradesBC. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- federal — Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) / Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Accessed 2026-10-15.
- manitoba — Apprenticeship Manitoba. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- new_brunswick — Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification (AOC), Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL). Accessed 2026-10-15.
- newfoundland_labrador — Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division (ATCD), Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- northwest_territories — Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupation Certification (ATOC), Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE). Accessed 2026-10-15.
- nova_scotia — Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA). Accessed 2026-10-15.
- nunavut — Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Unit, Department of Family Services. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- ontario — Skilled Trades Ontario (STO). Accessed 2026-10-15.
- prince_edward_island — Apprenticeship and Training Section, Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population (Apprenticeship PEI). Accessed 2026-10-15.
- quebec — Commission de la construction du Quebec (CCQ) [Construction] / Emploi-Quebec [Non-Construction]. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- saskatchewan — Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC). Accessed 2026-10-15.
- yukon — Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Unit, Department of Education (Yukon Apprenticeship). Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Official reference — Which code edition and occupational standard govern a Red Seal exam. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Official reference — How national NOC codes map to provincial trade codes (like 309A, 310S, 424A). Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Official reference — Trade Qualifier (Challenger) eligibility requirements and foreign credential assessment. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Official reference — Federal apprentice grants (closed March 2025), Canada Apprentice Loan, EI, and tool tax deductions. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Official reference — Red Seal exam rewrite waiting periods, attempt limits, and upgrading rules. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Official reference — Apprentice wage progression and certified journeyperson pay scales. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Official reference — Interprovincial Red Seal mobility, compulsory vs voluntary trades, and certificate renewal. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Official reference — Workers' compensation (WSIB / WorkSafe) coverage for apprentices, journeypersons, and contractors. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Official reference — Clients & general contractors: verifying compulsory trade certificates, permits, and WSIB clearance. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Official reference — Unions & training halls: joint apprenticeship committees, dispatch scales, and Red Seal exam prep. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Official reference — Financing, loans, and insurance: how apprentices fund training blocks and how contractors insure work. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Official reference — Recruiters & job boards: NOC 2021 codes, provincial trade codes, and labour-market outlooks. Accessed 2026-10-15.
Take this as a dated, sourced snapshot, not advice. Wage and outlook numbers change over time — the linked government sources above always have today's figures.