Wages
Heavy Equipment Operator Pay in Canada in 2026: Wages in Every Province
Updated October 31, 2026
In Canada, the median wage for Heavy equipment operators (NOC 73400) is $32.50 an hour (Job Bank, data from 2023 to 2024, published November 19, 2025). Pay depends on the province, the region and the machine. The tables below give the low, median and high wage for each province, territory and region with a Job Bank figure.
What do heavy equipment operators earn in Canada?
The first table gives Job Bank's wages for heavy equipment operators across Canada. Half of the workers in a group earn more than the median, and half earn less. The province and region tables follow.
Sources5
Heavy equipment operator wages across Canada
Heavy equipment operator wages in every province and territory
Heavy equipment operators (NOC 73400) · Hourly · Dated November 19, 2025
| Place | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and LabradorData from 2023 to 2024 | $22.00[5] | $30.00[5] | $38.00[5] |
| Prince Edward IslandData from 2023 to 2024 | $18.25[5] | $24.00[5] | $35.00[5] |
| Nova ScotiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $18.00[5] | $25.00[5] | $35.50[5] |
| New BrunswickData from 2023 to 2024 | $20.00[5] | $25.00[5] | $34.50[5] |
| QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $24.00[5] | $36.00[5] | $43.40[5] |
| OntarioData from 2023 to 2024 | $23.63[5] | $32.00[5] | $47.70[5] |
| ManitobaData from 2023 to 2024 | $22.00[5] | $28.92[5] | $38.00[5] |
| SaskatchewanData from 2023 to 2024 | $24.00[5] | $30.00[5] | $44.00[5] |
| AlbertaData from 2023 to 2024 | $26.00[5] | $34.30[5] | $45.00[5] |
| British ColumbiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $27.00[5] | $35.75[5] | $46.00[5] |
| YukonData from 2023 to 2024 | $32.65[5] | $39.00[5] | $42.00[5] |
| Northwest TerritoriesData from 2024 | $26.80[5] | $43.73[5] | $64.01[5] |
| NunavutData from 2024 | $21.87[5] | $38.08[5] | $51.49[5] |
Which provinces pay heavy equipment operators the most?
In the province and territory table, Northwest Territories has the highest median, and Prince Edward Island has the lowest. The table also gives the high wage for each province and territory, beside the median.
Sources5
Pay in cities and regions
The table below lists every region with a Job Bank figure. It groups the regions by province, in the same order as the province table, and lists them by name. Find the region where the job is before you compare an offer.
Heavy equipment operator wages by region
Heavy equipment operators (NOC 73400) · Hourly · Dated November 19, 2025
| Place | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland and LabradorData from 2023 to 2024 | $21.00[5] | $29.00[5] | $37.00[5] |
| Notre Dame–Central Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland and LabradorData from 2023 to 2024 | $22.00[5] | $29.74[5] | $40.00[5] |
| South Coast–Burin Peninsula, Newfoundland and LabradorData from 2023 to 2024 | $22.00[5] | $29.74[5] | $40.00[5] |
| West Coast–Northern Peninsula–Labrador, Newfoundland and LabradorData from 2023 to 2024 | $23.00[5] | $32.00[5] | $45.00[5] |
| Annapolis Valley, Nova ScotiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $18.00[5] | $25.00[5] | $35.50[5] |
| Cape Breton, Nova ScotiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $20.00[5] | $27.00[5] | $37.00[5] |
| Halifax, Nova ScotiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $17.00[5] | $25.00[5] | $55.00[5] |
| North Shore, Nova ScotiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $16.50[5] | $23.60[5] | $35.00[5] |
| Southern, Nova ScotiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $18.00[5] | $22.00[5] | $31.00[5] |
| Campbellton–Miramichi, New BrunswickData from 2023 to 2024 | $20.00[5] | $25.00[5] | $34.00[5] |
| Edmundston–Woodstock, New BrunswickData from 2023 to 2024 | $20.24[5] | $23.00[5] | $32.00[5] |
| Fredericton–Oromocto, New BrunswickData from 2023 to 2024 | $19.00[5] | $24.98[5] | $30.00[5] |
| Moncton–Richibucto, New BrunswickData from 2023 to 2024 | $19.35[5] | $24.00[5] | $28.91[5] |
| Saint John–St. Stephen, New BrunswickData from 2023 to 2024 | $20.00[5] | $25.00[5] | $33.00[5] |
| Abitibi-Témiscamingue, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $26.00[5] | $30.00[5] | $42.00[5] |
| Bas-Saint-Laurent, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $22.00[5] | $32.45[5] | $43.68[5] |
| Capitale-Nationale, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $24.00[5] | $38.56[5] | $43.75[5] |
| Centre-du-Québec, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $24.48[5] | $38.98[5] | $43.22[5] |
| Chaudière-Appalaches, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $24.00[5] | $38.95[5] | $43.75[5] |
| Côte-Nord, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $24.00[5] | $36.00[5] | $45.00[5] |
| Estrie, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $23.95[5] | $37.51[5] | $43.31[5] |
| Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $22.00[5] | $30.00[5] | $42.87[5] |
| Lanaudière, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $25.00[5] | $39.00[5] | $43.75[5] |
| Laurentides, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $25.00[5] | $37.19[5] | $43.22[5] |
| Laval, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $25.00[5] | $39.53[5] | $43.64[5] |
| Mauricie, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $22.00[5] | $30.21[5] | $43.00[5] |
| Montérégie, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $25.00[5] | $39.55[5] | $43.75[5] |
| Montréal, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $23.25[5] | $38.16[5] | $43.75[5] |
| Nord-du-Québec, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $26.84[5] | $32.83[5] | $42.21[5] |
| Outaouais, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $24.00[5] | $35.00[5] | $43.64[5] |
| Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, QuebecData from 2023 to 2024 | $24.33[5] | $32.00[5] | $43.39[5] |
| Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula, OntarioData from 2023 to 2024 | $26.00[5] | $35.00[5] | $47.30[5] |
| Kingston–Pembroke, OntarioData from 2024 | $23.48[5] | $32.23[5] | $40.19[5] |
| Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie, OntarioData from 2023 to 2024 | $23.63[5] | $30.00[5] | $45.63[5] |
| London, OntarioData from 2023 to 2024 | $25.00[5] | $30.00[5] | $41.00[5] |
| Muskoka–Kawarthas, OntarioData from 2024 | $25.28[5] | $33.49[5] | $44.83[5] |
| Northeast, OntarioData from 2023 to 2024 | $23.00[5] | $28.85[5] | $38.00[5] |
| Northwest, OntarioData from 2023 to 2024 | $25.00[5] | $28.85[5] | $44.50[5] |
| Ottawa, OntarioData from 2023 to 2024 | $19.00[5] | $31.00[5] | $38.75[5] |
| Stratford–Bruce Peninsula, OntarioData from 2024 | $24.34[5] | $32.21[5] | $41.90[5] |
| Toronto, OntarioData from 2023 to 2024 | $23.08[5] | $35.00[5] | $50.12[5] |
| Windsor–Sarnia, OntarioData from 2023 to 2024 | $25.00[5] | $37.00[5] | $43.00[5] |
| Interlake, ManitobaData from 2023 to 2024 | $21.00[5] | $28.92[5] | $40.00[5] |
| North, ManitobaData from 2023 to 2024 | $18.75[5] | $28.00[5] | $40.00[5] |
| North Central, ManitobaData from 2023 to 2024 | $23.50[5] | $30.00[5] | $32.00[5] |
| Parklands, ManitobaData from 2023 to 2024 | $18.75[5] | $28.00[5] | $40.00[5] |
| South Central, ManitobaData from 2024 | $22.54[5] | $28.96[5] | $35.92[5] |
| Southeast, ManitobaData from 2023 to 2024 | $24.00[5] | $28.31[5] | $40.00[5] |
| Southwest, ManitobaData from 2023 to 2024 | $24.68[5] | $30.00[5] | $38.00[5] |
| Winnipeg, ManitobaData from 2023 to 2024 | $23.00[5] | $28.92[5] | $37.00[5] |
| Northern, SaskatchewanData from 2023 to 2024 | $22.00[5] | $30.00[5] | $48.00[5] |
| Prince Albert, SaskatchewanData from 2023 to 2024 | $22.00[5] | $30.00[5] | $48.00[5] |
| Regina–Moose Mountain, SaskatchewanData from 2023 to 2024 | $22.00[5] | $30.00[5] | $42.23[5] |
| Saskatoon–Biggar, SaskatchewanData from 2023 to 2024 | $24.00[5] | $30.00[5] | $49.01[5] |
| Swift Current–Moose Jaw, SaskatchewanData from 2023 to 2024 | $27.00[5] | $30.00[5] | $42.00[5] |
| Yorkton–Melville, SaskatchewanData from 2023 to 2024 | $25.00[5] | $30.00[5] | $44.00[5] |
| Athabasca–Grande Prairie–Peace River, AlbertaData from 2023 to 2024 | $26.00[5] | $35.00[5] | $42.00[5] |
| Banff–Jasper–Rocky Mountain House, AlbertaData from 2023 to 2024 | $26.00[5] | $35.00[5] | $42.00[5] |
| Calgary, AlbertaData from 2023 to 2024 | $25.00[5] | $34.00[5] | $43.00[5] |
| Camrose–Drumheller, AlbertaData from 2023 to 2024 | $25.00[5] | $35.99[5] | $47.10[5] |
| Edmonton, AlbertaData from 2023 to 2024 | $25.00[5] | $33.00[5] | $45.00[5] |
| Lethbridge–Medicine Hat, AlbertaData from 2023 to 2024 | $29.80[5] | $34.30[5] | $40.50[5] |
| Red Deer, AlbertaData from 2023 to 2024 | $29.50[5] | $32.87[5] | $40.00[5] |
| Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake, AlbertaData from 2023 to 2024 | $32.00[5] | $40.00[5] | $66.00[5] |
| Cariboo, British ColumbiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $28.34[5] | $35.75[5] | $39.75[5] |
| Kootenay, British ColumbiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $28.00[5] | $35.00[5] | $46.00[5] |
| Lower Mainland, British ColumbiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $26.00[5] | $37.00[5] | $50.00[5] |
| Nechako, British ColumbiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $30.00[5] | $36.00[5] | $49.00[5] |
| North Coast, British ColumbiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $30.00[5] | $36.00[5] | $49.00[5] |
| Northeast, British ColumbiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $30.00[5] | $36.00[5] | $41.00[5] |
| Thompson–Okanagan, British ColumbiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $27.00[5] | $35.00[5] | $45.00[5] |
| Vancouver Island and Coast, British ColumbiaData from 2023 to 2024 | $27.50[5] | $32.00[5] | $50.00[5] |
Does the machine you run change the rate?
On some public contracts, it does. The City of Toronto fair wage schedule for industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) work sets a rate for each group of machines. The list below gives three of the groups, with the machines that each group includes. Fringe benefits are paid on top of each hourly rate.
Sources1
Published fair-wage rates for equipment operators
- The City of Toronto fair wage schedule for ICI work lists $55.98 an hour plus $14.05 in fringe benefits from May 3, 2026 for operating engineer group 1.2(A), which includes backhoes, shovels, gradalls and draglines.[1]
- The City of Toronto fair wage schedule for ICI work lists $54.88 an hour plus $14.05 in fringe benefits from May 3, 2026 for operating engineer group 1.4, which includes bulldozers, scrapers, graders and front-end loaders.[1]
- From May 2, 2027, the Toronto ICI rate for group 1.4 rises to $56.58 an hour plus $14.40 in fringe benefits.[1]
- The City of Toronto fair wage schedule for ICI work lists $51.61 an hour plus $14.05 in fringe benefits from May 3, 2026 for operating engineer group 1.6, which includes driver-mounted compaction units and A-frames.[1]
- On City of Toronto ICI contracts, hours past the weekly limit, 40 hours for operating engineers, are paid at time and a half.[1]
- Burnaby's fair wage schedule lists $43.25 an hour plus $14.25 in remuneration, a total of $57.50, for an equipment operator. It follows the CLRA summary of standard union agreement rates for June 2026.[2]
Fair-wage rates compared with the median
Burnaby's fair wage schedule follows the standard union agreement rates in British Columbia. The list above gives its rate for an equipment operator. To compare a rate with the Job Bank median, find the Toronto or Lower Mainland row in the region table. Keep two points in mind. Each schedule rate is for one classification, and the Job Bank median covers everyone in the occupation group. The schedule rates are for 2026 and 2027, and the medians cover earlier years.
How do new operators get certified and paid?
The rules depend on the province and the machine. The list below gives the New Brunswick rule for dozer, grader and loader operators. It also gives the Saskatchewan apprentice schedule for pipeline equipment operators.
Certificate and apprentice rules by province
- In New Brunswick, dozer, grader and loader operator are certificate-of-qualification occupations with no apprenticeship. The fact sheet lists 3,600 hours for dozer and grader and 1,800 hours for loader. You get the certificate when you prove your experience and pass the exam.[4]
- Saskatchewan's 2020 table, an unofficial consolidation, lists 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and 90% of a new journeyperson's hourly rate for pipeline equipment operator apprentices, one share for each 500 hours over 3,000 hours.[3]
Before you move for equipment work
Check these points before you accept a job in another city or province.
- Compare the regional median, not only the provincial one. The region table lists each region under its province.
- Ask which machines you will run. On City of Toronto ICI contracts, the rate depends on the machine group.
- Ask how overtime is paid. The fair-wage list above gives the overtime rule for City of Toronto ICI contracts.
- Ask whether a quoted rate is base pay or a total package. Burnaby's schedule, for example, adds remuneration on top of the wage.
- Check the certificate rules in the new province. The list above gives the New Brunswick and Saskatchewan rules.
How to read these figures
Job Bank gives a low, a median and a high hourly wage for each place. The note under each table shows the period that the figures cover. Most rows cover 2023 to 2024, and some rows cover 2024 only. The high wage is not a maximum. A cell that says No published figure has no Job Bank figure in this release.
Questions and answers
How much does a heavy equipment operator make in Ontario?
Ontario's low, median and high wages are in the province and territory table. For Toronto, Ottawa or another Ontario city, find its region under Ontario in the region table.
How much does a heavy equipment operator make in Alberta?
Alberta's wages are in the province and territory table. For Calgary, Edmonton or another Alberta city, find its region under Alberta in the region table.
How much does a heavy equipment operator make in British Columbia?
British Columbia's wages are in the province and territory table. For Vancouver, use the Lower Mainland row in the region table. Burnaby's fair-wage rate is in the fair-wage list.
Do you need a ticket to run heavy equipment?
It depends on the province and the machine. The certificate list gives the New Brunswick and Saskatchewan rules. Before you start, ask the apprenticeship office in the province where you will work.
Do union equipment operators earn more?
No source on this page compares union and non-union pay directly. Burnaby's fair wage schedule follows standard union agreement rates in British Columbia. Compare its rate in the fair-wage list with the Lower Mainland row in the region table.
How is equipment operator overtime paid?
For City of Toronto ICI contracts, the fair-wage list gives the overtime rule. For other jobs, ask the employer how it pays overtime before you accept.
Sources
- Fair Wage Schedule 2025-2028, Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (I.C.I.) Work
City of Toronto, Fair Wage Office. Retrieved October 30, 2026
- Schedule A to the Fair Wage Schedule, Compensation Schedule (revised 2026 Aug 14)
City of Burnaby. Retrieved October 30, 2026
- SATCC wage rates table for apprentices (2020)
Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC). Retrieved October 30, 2026
- Skilled Trades NB fact sheet: designated occupations under the Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Act
Government of New Brunswick, Skilled Trades NB. Retrieved October 30, 2026
- Job Bank open wage data (Wages dataset), 2025-11-19
Employment and Social Development Canada. Retrieved October 31, 2026