National Construction Industry Wage Rate Survey: Ontario

Data from the National Construction Industry Wage Rate Survey are now available for Ontario.

The three most highly-paid construction occupations for which data are available in Ontario were: Elevator Constructors, who received $36.07 an hour as the most frequently paid wage rate; Certified Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics ($31.33) and Sprinkler System Installers ($30.15).

The lowest paying occupations are traffic accommodation persons who received $14.51; Road Tractor Drivers for Semi-Trailers and Trailers ($19.32) and Straight Truck Drivers ($19.55). Wages for these occupations range from $7.36 to $12.40 above the minimum wage rate in force for Ontario.

Hourly wage rates were collected in the spring of 2004 for construction trades in Ontario. The occupations included were selected in consultation with union and employer representatives from the construction industry in Ontario. For occupations where it is compulsory to have a trade licence or registration in an apprenticeship program in order to legally work in the occupation, information was collected only concerning those workers with the requisite licence or registration.

The survey covered establishments in the construction industry with six or more employees. These establishments were asked to provide wage rates for employees working full-time hours in selected occupations and to indicate whether the workers were unionized or non-unionized. Data were collected only for work done on institutional or commercial construction sites.

This survey is conducted on behalf of the Labour Branch of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and is designed to help in the establishment of fair wage schedules for workers on Federal construction projects. The survey is being conducted region-by-region moving sequentially across the country excluding Quebec and the Yukon, where fair wage rates are established by the provincial and territorial government respectively. The next iteration of the survey will be conducted in 2005 and will cover British Columbia and Nunavut.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 2935.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Joanne Linekar (613-951-2083, joanne.linekar@statcan.gc.ca), Small Business and Special Surveys Division. For information or requests concerning the Fair Wage Schedules developed from this survey data for workers on federal construction projects, contact Brenda Lester (819-953-3183), Labour Branch, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.