Plumber Salary in Toronto, ON (2026)

Based on aggregated data from Glassdoor, PayScale, and ZipRecruiter updated to early 2026, the typical base salary range for a plumber in Toronto runs from approximately $60K CAD for an entry-level journeyperson to $105K CAD for a licensed master plumber or senior ICI contractor. Apprentices in the earlier periods of their training earn $36K-$52K CAD. These figures cover base salary only and exclude overtime, bonuses, and benefits.

Hourly rates for plumbers in Toronto vary by license tier. Apprentices typically earn $17-$27/hr depending on apprenticeship period. Journeypersons average approximately $35-$38/hr on PayScale and Glassdoor data from late 2025 and early 2026. Senior journeypersons and foremen on union ICI projects can exceed $45/hr including shift premiums. The Canada Job Bank (updated November 2025) reports a national plumber range of $21-$46/hr.

A Red Seal certificate is not mandatory to work as a licensed journeyperson plumber in Ontario; the Ontario Certificate of Qualification (CofQ) issued by Skilled Trades Ontario is the required credential. However, Red Seal endorsement is increasingly expected by larger mechanical contractors and enables inter-provincial labour mobility without re-examination. Candidates targeting ICI or multi-province employers should treat Red Seal as a strong asset rather than optional.

UA Local 46 (United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters) sets collectively bargained wage scales for ICI plumbing work in the GTA that typically exceed non-union residential employer rates. Union packages also include defined benefit pension contributions, health and welfare funds, and training levies that add substantial total-compensation value beyond the hourly base rate. Non-union plumbers working residential service should compare total packages, not headline hourly rates alone, when evaluating union versus non-union employment.

Internationally trained plumbers must apply to Skilled Trades Ontario for a Prior Learning Assessment before they can enter a recognized Ontario apprenticeship or challenge the Certificate of Qualification exam. The assessment maps foreign credentials to Ontario apprenticeship periods, but additional in-school or on-the-job training may still be required. Mandatory Ontario site-safety tickets such as Working at Heights and WHMIS 2015 must be obtained locally regardless of prior training history.

Toronto journeyperson plumbers generally earn higher base salaries than their Montreal counterparts, with Toronto Glassdoor averages near $72K CAD versus ZipRecruiter Quebec averages near $54K CAD. However, Montreal's lower cost of living partly offsets the wage gap in real terms. Quebec also uses a separate licensing system through the CCQ, so Ontario-trained plumbers cannot simply transfer their Certificate of Qualification to Quebec without going through the CCQ recognition process.

The Ontario plumber apprenticeship (NOC 72300) consists of five apprenticeship periods combining on-the-job hours and in-school technical training. The full program typically takes four to five years to complete. Upon completion of all periods and the Certificate of Qualification exam through Skilled Trades Ontario, the apprentice becomes a licensed journeyperson plumber and can work independently on Ontario job sites.

Active hiring in 2025-2026 has been reported across large mechanical contractors such as Ainsworth Inc., Johnson Controls, Enwave, and EllisDon, as well as municipal employers like the City of Toronto and Toronto Transit Commission. Residential and service-side demand keeps companies like Mr. Rooter, Reliance Home Comfort, and Service Experts active in the market. Union signatory contractors affiliated with UA Local 46 are an additional route for journeyperson plumbers seeking ICI work.