Construction Jobs in Canada: Understanding Immigration, Demand & Pay In Canada’s Construction Industry

Key Takeaways

• Moving2Canada’s sister company, Outpost Recruitment, works with construction professionals who are looking to move to or already living in Canada. 
• Canada has very strong demand for skilled and experienced construction professionals, including trades workers and engineering professionals.
• Work in engineering? See Engineering jobs in Canada

Understanding The Construction Industry In Canada

Canada’s construction sector provides employment to over 1.6 million people and accounts for approximately 7.4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Over the coming decade, Canada’s key areas of construction includes:

• Residential (single unit, low-rise, high-rise)
• ICI Buildings (institutional, commercial, and industrial)
• Infrastructure (transportation, water, utilities)
• Mining
• Oil and gas
• LNG (technically part of the oil and gas industry, but separated as it’s a new emerging sector).

So, what are the most in-demand construction jobs in Canada?

• Project Directors – ICI (institutional, commercial and industrial) Buildings & Infrastructure
• Senior Project Managers – ICI Buildings & Infrastructure
• Senior Superintendents – ICI Buildings & Infrastructure
• Commercial Managers & Contracts Managers – Infrastructure
• Senior Estimators – ICI Buildings & Infrastructure
• Design Managers – ICI Buildings & Infrastructure
• Schedulers – Infrastructure

To learn more about typical job titles for construction jobs in Canada, visit this detailed blog from Outpost Recruitment, our sister company which focuses on construction recruitment.

What is the Demand for Construction Jobs in Canada?

The construction sector in Canada consistently reports high job vacancy rates, with positions staying open longer than the national average across all industries. In 2024, there were nearly 50,000 job openings each month in construction, and construction job vacancies have trended higher than the national average for almost a decade at this point. 

This demand spans access both trades (carpenters, electricians, labourers and heavy equipment operators) but also construction professional roles such as Project Managers, Estimators, Schedulers and design and commercial management personnel. With numerous upcoming infrastructure and housing projects, the need for skilled workers remains high and continues to grow.

Is There a Shortage of Construction Workers in Canada?

Yes, Canada is experiencing a construction labor shortage. This shortage is partly due to the aging workforce in Canada and the number of projects currently underway or planned across the country. Additionally, Canada is experiencing a severe housing shortage, and while the residential construction industry has declined in the face of high interest rates, we anticipate this sector may start to heat up by around mid-2025. 

For construction professionals considering long-term prospects in Canada, the demand for construction workers is expected to continue for at least the next decade. So, it is an excellent time for skilled tradespeople to explore opportunities in Canada.

Does Construction Pay Well in Canada?

Yes, construction jobs in Canada offer competitive pay. While wages can vary by province and specific role, the construction sector generally provides solid earnings and room for growth. For example, construction professionals in project, site, design and commercial management roles can earn median average salaries in the $100-150k range, with many roles offering additional benefits and overtime opportunities. Some provinces, like Alberta and British Columbia, may offer higher wages to attract skilled workers for in-demand positions.

How To Immigrate To Canada As A Construction Professional

Canada offers two main ways for construction professionals to start working and living in the country: a one-step option for permanent residency (PR) or a two-step approach starting with a temporary work permit. Here’s how each option works.

Permanent Residence through Express Entry

Construction professionals can apply directly for PR through Canada’s Express Entry system, most likely through a category-based draw targeting trades workers – especially if you’re currently living and working outside of Canada.  

Temporary Work Permits as a Pathway to PR

Temporary work permits let you work in Canada for a set time, with options to apply for PR later if you gain Canadian work experience. Key permit options include:

• International Experience Canada (IEC): The IEC program offers young adults from certain countries the chance to live and work in Canada for up to two years (or even three, for those with a UK passport). The Working Holiday visa is an open work permit, meaning you can work for any employer, including those in construction. Eligibility depends on your age and country of citizenship.
• Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Work Permit: In this case, your Canadian employer applies for an LMIA to prove they need to hire a foreign worker because no qualified Canadians are available. With an approved LMIA, you can apply for a work permit to work for that specific employer.
• LMIA-Exempt Work Permits: Some situations allow for a work permit without an LMIA. This applies in cases like intra-company transfers or agreements like the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

Starting with a temporary work permit can be beneficial because Canadian work experience can boost your future PR application through programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry.

Education Requirements For Construction Workers in Canada

A solid engineering or construction management background provides an excellent technical grounding for construction professionals who wish to pursue a career on the contracting side of the industry. If you want to come to Canada and work in construction, it will help to have one of the following degrees or qualifications:

• Masters / MBA– holding a Masters or MBA designation is highly favourable for immigration to Canada via economic class programs.
• Degree – favourable qualification level for construction professionals with regard to immigration and employment in Canada.
• Higher Diploma <> B. Tech, Higher National Diploma (HND)
• Trade qualification – This may help you get to Canada via an Express Entry category-based draw targeting trades workers or the Federal Skilled Trades Program, one of Canada’s permanent residence programs linked with the Express Entry system.

But, the beautiful thing about construction is that, while a higher education may give you an initial advantage, it’s possible to work your way up the ladder regardless of your level of formal education.

Designations

Engineer in Training (EIT) – once your engineering transcripts have been approved by the provincial engineering body, you may receive this designation and it demonstrates your intent to become a P. Eng.

Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) – For engineers, gaining a P. Eng. designation is less important on the contracting side of the industry, but still highly respected. The ability to sign off on drawings is extremely important to consulting engineers

Gold Seal Certification (GSC) is a Canadian designation and considered practical for professionals following a career in project management.

Project Management Professional (PMP) – Gaining a Project Manager Professional (PMP) is considered a more suitable global designation for project management professionals.

Chartered Member (MRICS) – Specifically for Quantity Surveyors and Building Surveyors. An MRICS designation is recognised across Canada.

Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS) – A Canadian designation similar to MRICS, issued to Quantity Surveyors by the Canadian Association of Consulting Quantity Surveyors (CACQS).

Welcome to Outpost Recruitment!

Our sister company, Outpost Recruitment, has been connecting the best international engineering professionals with Canadian employers across civil, infrastructure, and ICI (Institutional, Commercial and Industrial) buildings projects since 2012. Outpost specialises in assisting international candidates relocate to Canada, but it also regularly places “local” candidates who are already living and working in Canada.

Our clients include:

• General Contractors
• Subcontractors (civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, geotechnical)
• Consultants – project delivery, design and cost consultants

Outpost Recruitment works with leading contractors across infrastructure and buildings to fill the following construction roles in Canada:

• Executive Roles (VP)
• Operations
• Project Management Project Director & Project Managers – All Levels (Junior PM to Senior)
• Design Management
• Commercial Management
• Site Management (General Superintendent, Site Superintendent, Asst Superintendent, Field Engineers)
• Bid Management (Bid Manager, Proposal Manager, Estimators)

Locations To Consider

It may be worth reviewing our content below around employment trends in Canada over the past decade. Depending on your sector of choice, you can review your best options with regard to location

• Toronto – The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) includes lots of major suburbs, as well as a downtown core famous for the CN Tower and the ever-increasing number of skyscrapers in its shadow. The GTA is a huge area of more than 6 million people and represents the largest employment market in Canada for construction.
• Vancouver – The Vancouver Lower Mainland area encompasses over 10 cities (municipalities) and has a booming real estate market with a strong pipeline of infrastructure projects.
• Montreal – Quebec’s largest city, and Canada’s second-largest, offers lots of opportunities, but you may need to reconsider if you do not have working knowledge of French.
• Ottawa – Canada’s capital city offers a great quality of life.
• Calgary – Calgary is the home of oil and gas in Canada, and struggling due to low commodity prices and lack of pipelines to bring Canada’s oil to world markets.
• Edmonton – Edmonton is the blue collar town in Alberta’s oil and gas industry.
• Fly-in-Fly-Out (FIFO) – If your goal is to work on remote projects, there are lots of options including LNG, traditional oil and gas, mining or infrastructure projects to choose from. You can live in a major city and commute for your rotation shift.

If you are a Canadian employer looking to hire foreign workers or newcomers to Canada in the construction industry, see how Moving2Canada can help. We offer a range of hiring solutions to suit your needs. Reach out here.