Plumbers in Canada earn about $41 per hour on average (median around $37) according to Red Seal Recruiting’s 2026 guide, with higher postings in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa. In Ontario, plumbing is a compulsory trade, and the wage is only part of what you pay: the billed rate also covers the company’s van, tools, insurance, overhead and profit.
- What plumbers earn
- How plumbers are trained in Ontario
- From wage to billed rate
- What this means for your plumbing bill
Why does a plumber bill much more per hour than they earn? To understand plumbing prices in Ontario, it helps to look at what plumbers are paid, how they are trained, and what a company must cover before it makes a profit.
What plumbers earn
Red Seal Recruiting’s 2026 salary guide, based on employer-submitted data from across Canada, puts the national average at about $41 per hour and the median at around $37, with most wages between about $33 and $47 per hour. Postings in Ontario are among the highest in the country, especially in the GTA and Ottawa. Apprentices earn less while they train, and master plumbers or those who run their own business can earn more.
How plumbers are trained in Ontario
Plumbing is a compulsory trade in Ontario. To work as a plumber, a person must be a registered apprentice working under supervision or hold a Certificate of Qualification. The apprenticeship combines several years of on-the-job hours with in-school training, then a certification exam. Many plumbers also earn the Red Seal endorsement, recognized across Canada.
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A plumbing company’s billed rate must cover much more than the plumber’s wage:
| Cost | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Wage and benefits | Pay, vacation pay, statutory holidays, employer payroll contributions |
| Workplace insurance | WSIB coverage and liability insurance |
| Vehicle | Van, fuel, maintenance, parking |
| Tools and equipment | Drain machines, cameras, press tools |
| Non-billable time | Travel, estimates, buying parts, training |
| Office | Dispatch, scheduling, accounting |
| Warranty and profit | Callbacks on past jobs and a margin to stay in business |
This is why a fair billed rate is always well above the wage, and why the cheapest offer isn’t always the best one.
What this means for your plumbing bill
- Rates are higher where wages and costs are higher, such as the GTA.
- Independent plumbers with low overhead may charge less, but may be less available.
- Comparing written quotes is the only way to know what a fair price is for your job.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a plumber make per hour in Canada?
About $41 on average and around $37 median, according to Red Seal Recruiting’s 2026 guide based on employer data.
Is plumbing a regulated trade in Ontario?
Yes, it is a compulsory trade. Plumbers must hold a Certificate of Qualification or be registered apprentices under supervision.
Why does a plumbing company bill more than the plumber’s wage?
The rate also covers insurance, the vehicle, tools, non-billable time, office costs, warranty work and profit.
Are plumbers in Toronto more expensive?
Generally, yes. Wages and operating costs are higher in the GTA, which shows in billed rates.
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