TRADE REPORT · LAST VERIFIED 2026-07-10
Welder (Red Seal) in Canada — Trade Report
A sourced reference on the welder (red seal) trade in Canada covering pay by province, real demand, the road to certification, and the exam's actual structure.
The trade in 30 seconds
This trade employed about 90,900 people across Canada as of 2023 (NOC 72106) [2]. This trade has been Red Seal-designated since 1979 [3]. Trade certification is compulsory in Alberta, Quebec; voluntary in Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut. [3]
What you'll earn
Government of Canada Job Bank wage data (reference period 2023-2024) puts the national median at $30.00/hour, with a spread from $22.00 to $47.00 [1]. The published spread runs from $25.00/hour in Prince Edward Island to $48.29/hour in Northwest Territories.
Median hourly wage by province/territory (low–high)
| Province / territory | Median | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Territories | $48.29 | $22.48–$57.68 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $38.41 | $23.46–$54.00 |
| Alberta | $38.00 | $25.00–$52.18 |
| Yukon | $37.47 | $30.96–$49.71 |
| British Columbia | $35.00 | $23.25–$51.87 |
| Saskatchewan | $32.00 | $22.00–$46.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $29.00 | $21.00–$43.00 |
| New Brunswick | $28.00 | $22.00–$46.00 |
| Ontario | $28.00 | $21.00–$41.28 |
| Quebec | $28.00 | $22.00–$35.38 |
| Manitoba | $27.00 | $21.00–$40.16 |
| Prince Edward Island | $25.00 | $20.00–$32.50 |
| Nunavut | — | no data published |
Source: Job Bank wage report, NOC 72106, updated 2025-11-19 [1]. 89.6% of workers in this occupation nationally also get at least one non-wage benefit, per the same page.
One advantage of the Red Seal system: it's portable across jurisdictions, so the spread above is a real guide if you're weighing a move.
Where the jobs are
The official shortage/surplus call for this trade, 2024–2033: moderate risk of shortage, 2024-2033 (COPS) [2] The workforce is 26% aged 50 or older, with a median retirement age of 64.0 [2]. Most work is in structural steel and platework, boilers, heavy machinery, aircraft, ships and other metal products manufacturers, welding contractors and welding shops [6].
Job Bank 3-year employment outlook by province
| Rating | Provinces |
|---|---|
| Good | Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia |
| Moderate | Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan |
| Limited | Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia |
| Very limited | Ontario |
| Undetermined | Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut |
Source: Job Bank outlook report, NOC 72106, updated 2025-12-10 [2].
The path to Red Seal
5,400 hours (~3 years) in most jurisdictions; e.g. AB 4,680 on-job + 720 in-school; Ontario 6,000 hours (5,280 + 720); Quebec 1,800 technical-training hours (different system) [3]
If you've picked up the trade on the job, uncertified: 8,100 most provinces; 7,020 AB; 6,930 BC; 6,000 ON; 7,200 NT/NU; no challenge path in QC [3]
Money on the table: the federal Team Canada Strong package 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. amounts are 'up to' figures; first payments expected no earlier than fall 2026; core funding starts 2026-27 [10]
- CWB qualification (CSA W47.1/W47.2) is separate from Red Seal; required for structural work while employed by a CWB-certified company; ticket valid 2 years, only while with a certified employer
The exam — and what to study most
This trade's Red Seal exam runs 125 questions, pass mark 70% [3]. Some sections count far more than others — the real weightings, straight from the source:
Official exam weightings
| Block | Share of exam | ≈ Questions |
|---|---|---|
| D — Welding processes | 44% | — |
| B — Layout and fabrication | 22% | — |
| C — Cutting and gouging | 18% | — |
| A — Common occupational skills | 16% | — |
Source: Red Seal exam information [3].
The practical read: Welding processes alone is 44% of the exam. A diagnostic-style practice run that scores you per block is the fastest way to find out which blocks are actually costing you marks.
The best links
- red-seal.ca — Official Red Seal Welder page: standard, weightings, sample questions, free self-assessment.
- www.jobbank.gc.ca — Job Bank: live wages, outlook, and postings in every province.
- ellischart.ca — Ellis Chart (ESDC): hours, certification rules, challenge pathways, all 13 jurisdictions.
- www.cwbgroup.org — CWB Group: how CSA W47.1 welder qualification works.
- www.skilledtradesontario.ca — Skilled Trades Ontario: the 6,000-hour Ontario apprenticeship.
- tradesecrets.alberta.ca — Alberta Tradesecrets: the program where welder certification is compulsory.
- www.pm.gc.ca — Team Canada Strong: the federal training grant + Red Seal completion bonus.
- www.red-seal.ca — Red Seal Exam Preparation Guide: the official free guide to the exam.
Practice against the same standard
This welder (red seal) bank tracks the real exam's own block structure, so your practice results actually predict exam-day performance. Free to start. The full bank runs 601 questions.
Practice Welder (Red Seal) free →
Sources
- Job Bank — Wages: Welder (NOC 72106). Data period 2023-2024; updated 2025-11-19. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Job Bank — Outlook (NOC 72106). updated 2025-12-10. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Ellis Chart (ESDC) — interjurisdictional apprenticeship comparison. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Red Seal — exam weightings. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Official Red Seal Welder page: standard, weightings, sample questions, free self-assessment. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Job Bank: live wages, outlook, and postings in every province. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- CWB Group: how CSA W47.1 welder qualification works. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Skilled Trades Ontario: the 6,000-hour Ontario apprenticeship. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Alberta Tradesecrets: the program where welder certification is compulsory. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Team Canada Strong: the federal training grant + Red Seal completion bonus. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Red Seal Exam Preparation Guide: the official free guide to the exam. Accessed 2026-07-10.
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.