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This page covers base salary ranges for HVAC Technicians working in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, across residential, commercial, and industrial settings. It is designed for apprentices entering the trade, journeypersons benchmarking their current rate, and out-of-province or internationally trained applicants navigating Ontario licensing. Ranges vary by sector, certification tier (G1/G2/G3, 313A, Red Seal), union status, and employer type.
Certification tier, sector, and union membership are the three levers that move pay most decisively across every experience band.
$45,000 - $58,000 CAD
Apprentices working toward their 313A or G3 certificate in residential installation or service typically land in this band while accumulating hours toward journeyperson status.
$58,000 - $78,000 CAD
Licensed 313A holders with a G2 ticket covering residential and light-commercial service form the core of this band, with commercial accounts and troubleshooting complexity pushing toward the upper end.
$78,000 - $95,000 CAD
Dual-certified technicians with six-plus years in commercial or light-industrial environments, including chiller, BAS, or refrigeration exposure, consistently clear $78K and approach $95K with strong troubleshooting records.
$95,000 - $107,000 CAD
Red Seal-endorsed G1 holders specializing in chillers, building automation, or large commercial refrigeration, or those in lead and foreman roles at institutional or industrial sites, occupy the top of this band.
Many licensed technicians plateau because their resume does not reflect the full scope of their certifications, sector experience, and building types served. Employers and ATS filters shortlist on keywords like specific licence codes, building types, and refrigerant handling.
Higher-paying candidates typically show:
The GTA's dense commercial and high-rise stock, major institutions, and large transit infrastructure create strong demand across all tiers; Ontario's G1/G2/313A licensing framework and UA Local 787 presence support structured pay grids.
Federal government buildings, hospitals, and university campuses generate steady commercial demand; wages are broadly competitive with Toronto but the cost of living is lower, improving effective purchasing power.
High-density residential towers and a large commercial sector push wages above the national average; BC requires provincial registration and the Red Seal is widely respected, while high cost of living partially offsets the gross pay advantage.
Oil-and-gas facility work and large commercial development historically push industrial HVAC wages high; Alberta has no provincial sales tax and a lower cost of living than Toronto or Vancouver, making net pay competitive.
Quebec requires French-language proficiency for most employer and licensing interactions, and provincial certification through the CCQ (Construction Commission) is mandatory; wages are generally lower than Toronto but cost of living is also significantly lower.
Atlantic Canada's smaller commercial market yields more moderate pay, but steady residential and institutional demand, lower cost of living, and less competition for licensed technicians can be attractive for career starters or those relocating.
Many Toronto HVAC employers offer on-call allowances, emergency-call premiums, and seasonal overtime that can add $5,000 to $15,000 CAD annually to base pay. Union agreements often set minimum on-call rates separately from the hourly grid. These amounts are not included in the base ranges on this page.
Some large US-headquartered facilities-management and mechanical-contracting firms post Canadian roles with CAD-denominated pay that may be below equivalent USD roles. Confirm currency and whether benefits are extended before comparing. Remote HVAC work is rare by nature, but some diagnostic, BAS/DDC programming, and project-management roles can be partially remote.
Internationally trained HVAC technicians must have their credentials assessed by Skilled Trades Ontario (formerly OCOT) for 313A equivalency and by TSSA for gas-fitting licences before working independently in Ontario. Safety tickets such as WHMIS, Working at Heights, and First Aid are required by most Toronto employers and must be completed in Canada regardless of prior training; these are typically obtained within weeks of arrival and cost under $500 CAD combined.
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Answers to the most common questions about HVAC Technician compensation in Toronto, ON.
Based on multiple sources compiled in early 2026, the typical base salary range for an HVAC Technician in Toronto is approximately $45,000 to $107,000 CAD depending on experience, certification, and sector. The Ontario Job Bank (NOC 72402, updated November 2025) reports an hourly range of $21 to $58 for the province. Mid-career journeypersons with a 313A and G2 ticket generally earn between $58,000 and $78,000 CAD.
A Red Seal is not legally required to work in Toronto, but it is widely valued by commercial and institutional employers as a benchmark of competency and grants inter-provincial mobility. Ontario's mandatory credential for refrigeration and air conditioning work is the 313A Certificate of Qualification issued by Skilled Trades Ontario. Gas-fitting work additionally requires a TSSA Gas Technician licence (G1, G2, or G3) depending on system pressure and type.
Union HVAC technicians in Toronto, primarily under UA Local 787, typically receive structured wage grids plus defined benefit packages, on-call rates, and overtime schedules that are negotiated collectively. Gross hourly rates under union agreements can be at or above the senior-technician band on this page, but direct comparison is difficult because non-union employers may offer vehicle allowances or flexible scheduling not reflected in base pay. Candidates should compare total compensation, not just the hourly rate.
The G1 gas-fitting licence, Red Seal endorsement, Class B Refrigeration licence, and BAS/DDC building controls proficiency are consistently cited by employers and salary data sources as the highest-impact credentials. The G1 expands the scope of permissible gas work and is required for most large commercial contracts. Refrigeration and HVAC/R dual certification also unlocks industrial and food-service roles that pay above standard HVAC rates.
Not independently. Internationally trained technicians must complete a credential recognition process through Skilled Trades Ontario (313A equivalency assessment) and, if working with gas-fired equipment, apply to TSSA for a Gas Technician licence based on their demonstrated competency. Canadian safety training - WHMIS, Working at Heights, and First Aid - is also required by most Toronto employers and must be completed domestically. These processes can take weeks to several months depending on documentation completeness.
All three cities have similar ceiling ranges (roughly $95,000 to $107,000 CAD for top-of-band specialists), but the cost-of-living context differs significantly. Vancouver's high housing costs partially offset a gross-pay advantage, while Calgary combines competitive industrial wages with lower provincial taxes and living costs. Toronto's dense commercial and institutional market provides volume and stability of work that can be harder to find in smaller markets.
Average HVAC Technician salaries in Montreal are generally lower than Toronto, with estimates around $42,000 to $85,000 CAD. Quebec's construction industry requires registration with the Commission de la construction du Quebec (CCQ), which regulates wages and working conditions on construction sites. French-language proficiency is effectively required for employer interactions, licensing processes, and most on-site communication in Quebec.
Yes, materially. Commercial and industrial HVAC work consistently pays more than residential in Toronto due to system complexity, the requirement for higher-tier certifications (G1, Class B Refrigeration), and larger employer budgets. Senior technicians in commercial property management or institutional facilities can earn $15,000 to $25,000 CAD more than peers doing residential service at the same experience level.
Compare HVAC technician compensation with other licensed trades and construction roles in the Toronto area.
| Job title | Apprentice (Levels 1-4) | Journeyman (303A Licensed) | Senior Journeyman / Specialist | Master Electrician / Foreman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $42K - $68K CAD | $68K - $90K CAD | $85K - $105K CAD | $95K - $110K+ CAD |
| Plumber | $36K - $52K CAD | $60K - $80K CAD | $78K - $95K CAD | $88K - $105K CAD |
| Welder | $42K - $55K CAD | $55K - $72K CAD | $72K - $83K CAD | $83K - $90K+ CAD |
| Construction Labourer | $36K - $46K CAD | $46K - $62K CAD | $62K - $74K CAD | $74K - $85K CAD |
| Truck Driver | $44K - $57K CAD | $57K - $78K CAD | $78K - $95K CAD | $95K - $115K+ CAD |
Advance your HVAC career in Toronto with guides on resume building, negotiation strategies, and local job market insights.
Learn how to structure your HVAC technician resume with industry-specific skills and certifications that employers in Toronto prioritize.
Read article →Use data-backed negotiation strategies to confidently discuss your compensation based on Toronto market rates and your certification level.
Read article →Explore broader Toronto job market trends and hiring patterns to understand demand for skilled trades like HVAC alongside salary expectations.
Read article →Discover what employers specifically look for in trades resumes, including how to highlight apprenticeship progress and certifications relevant to HVAC roles.
Read article →Salary ranges on this page were compiled by cross-referencing five publicly available data sources covering 2025-2026 Ontario and Toronto-specific HVAC Technician wage data, with the Government of Canada Job Bank (NOC 72402) used as the primary official floor-and-ceiling reference. Where sources diverged, ranges were set conservatively using the intersection of the middle 50th-to-90th percentile bands across sources.
The following cards reflect themes from publicly posted comments and salary submissions on trades forums and review platforms from late 2024 through early 2026. No individual is identified.
“Getting my G1 was the single best thing I did for my pay - jumped almost $8 an hour overnight.”
Reflects a widely reported pattern: the G1 gas-fitting licence unlocks higher-pressure commercial work and is frequently cited as the most direct certification-to-pay lever in Ontario.
“Non-union residential shops in Toronto are still offering the same rates as three years ago. Commercial union is where the money moved.”
Suggests a bifurcation in the Toronto market where residential non-union pay has stagnated while commercial union grids have tracked higher - consistent with the spread between lower and upper salary bands on this page.
“The on-call pay adds up to more than my base raise did last year - don't overlook it in negotiations.”
On-call and emergency-call premiums are a significant but often overlooked component of total HVAC compensation in Toronto; multiple Glassdoor submissions note it as a key differentiator between offers.
“They wanted Red Seal even for a journeyperson role - it seems like the baseline is shifting.”
Indicates that some larger commercial and institutional Toronto employers are moving Red Seal from a preferred to a de-facto required credential, which may raise the effective entry point to senior-band pay ranges over time.
“My home-country HVAC licence meant nothing until I got the Skilled Trades Ontario assessment done - start that before you even land if you can.”
Highlights the importance of beginning the credential-recognition process early; internationally trained applicants who delay assessment typically start at apprentice-band wages regardless of actual experience level.
Enercare · Johnson Controls · Ainsworth · Comfort Systems Canada · Mechanical Contractors (GTA) - various · City of Toronto Facilities Management · Honeywell Building Technologies · Trane Technologies · Greater Toronto Airports Authority · Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions · Aramark Facilities · Black and McDonald
Government of Canada Job Bank - HVAC Mechanic wages, Ontario (NOC 72402), updated November 2025 Job Bank Ontario HVAC wages
ERI SalaryExpert - HVAC Technician salary, Toronto, Ontario, 2026 SalaryExpert Toronto HVAC 2026
Glassdoor - HVAC Technician salaries, Toronto, ON, based on 151 anonymously submitted salaries as of March 2026 Glassdoor Toronto HVAC 2026
PayScale - HVAC Technician hourly pay, Toronto, Ontario, based on 27 salary profiles updated December 2025 PayScale Toronto HVAC 2026
Red Seal Recruiting - HVAC Technician Salary in Canada 2026 Guide, based on 285 verified wage entries, published February 2026 Red Seal Recruiting Canada HVAC 2026
Skilled Trades Ontario (formerly Ontario College of Trades) - credential recognition and 313A certification information Skilled Trades Ontario