Certified Welder / Fitter Welder

According to Government of Canada's Job Bank, welders (NOC 72106) earn low wages of $20.00 per hour, median of $28.85 per hour, and high wages of $38.46 per hour based on 2023 data updated for 2026. Full-time welders working 40 hours per week average $60,008 annually. Wages vary by province, with Alberta at median $32.00 per hour.

Welders (NOC 72106, TEER 3) qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades Program under Express Entry with at least 2 years full-time experience and CLB 5 in English/French. Temporary Foreign Worker Program requires a positive LMIA costing employers $1,000 per position, valid up to 3 years. Processing time for work permits is 10-22 weeks.

Entry requires high school completion plus a 4-year apprenticeship with 6,720 hours of on-the-job training and 720 hours classroom instruction. Journeyperson certification via Red Seal exam allows work in all 13 provinces/territories. College welding programs (8-12 months) provide pre-apprenticeship credit.

Canadian applicants need a resume, Red Seal or provincial trade certificate, high school diploma, and SIN number. International applicants must submit passport, work permit or visa, language test results (CLB 5+), and proof of 2 years experience. Applications via Job Bank require PDF uploads under 2MB.