Construction

Career Ladder

Learn About The Construction Career Path

Advance your skills and learn what it takes to move up the Construction Career Ladder!

Each career level contains information about hourly wages, job descriptions, main job duties, examples of job titles, general skills, and links to educational courses and training opportunities. Select one of the levels to learn more.

To explore other career ladders, please visit our Career Ladders page. If you have further questions about local labour market information, email helpdesk@wdb.ca or visit wdb.ca.

* Many other career paths branch out from apprenticeship within the construction industry.

Entrepreneur / Business Owner

MEDIAN HOURLY WAGE
Varies

Construction Managers

$43.65

Contractors & Supervisors, Carpentry Trades

$39.23

Carpenters

$29.59

Residential & Commercial Installers & Servicers

$22.75

Construction Trades Helpers & Labourers

$21.97

Apprenticeships can lead to careers in carpentry. It is also possible to enter this career path directly.

Apprenticeship*

$24.00

Apprenticeship

Hourly
Wages

Low
$18.50

Median
$24.00

High
$27.00

what you do

What is Apprenticeship?

  • A pathway to a rewarding career in the trades that require a high level of skill, judgement and creativity
  • A combination of on-the-job training & in-school learning
  • An opportunity to earn an hourly wage while learning from experienced workers
  • A 2-5 year process wherein apprentices work for a year, then switch to studying in class for 8-12 weeks
  • 144 trades in Ontario that support mechanical, electrical, automotive, manufacturing, building and service industries

Skills

Technical Skills
Judgement
Creativity

Examples of Trades with Apprenticeships

Plumber, General Carpenter, Heavy Equipment Technician, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic, Heavy Equipment Operator

Education & Training Resources

Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development

Skilled Trades Ontario

FLEMING COLLEGE

Construction Training & Apprenticeship Ontario

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

Support Ontario Youth

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Construction Trades Helpers & Labourers

Hourly
Wages

Low
$18.15

Median
$21.97

High
$31.27

what you do

Main Job Duties

  • Load and unload construction materials, and move materials to work areas
  • Assist tradespersons such as carpenters, bricklayers, cement finishers, roofers and glaziers in construction activities
  • Assist in demolishing buildings using prying bars and other tools, and sort, clean and pile salvaged materials
  • Mix, pour and spread materials such as concrete and asphalt

Skills

Work Ethic Numeracy
Problem Solving
Interpersonal Skills
Customer Service

Job Title Examples

Construction Labourer
Carpenter’s Assistant
Asphalt Spreader

Education & Training Resources

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and apprenticeship preparation

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Residential & Commercial Installers & Servicers

Hourly
Wages

Low
$18.96

Median
$22.75

High
$25.59

what you do

Main Job Duties

  • Read blueprints or work order specifications to determine layout and installation procedures
  • Install, repair and service interior prefabricated products such as doors, windows, kitchen cupboards, bathroom vanities, water heaters and household appliances using hand and power tools
  • Install, repair and service exterior prefabricated products such as siding, shutters, awnings, fencing, decks, septic and irrigation systems, signs and play structures using hand and power tools

Skills

Organization Detail Oriented
Time Management
Customer Service
Work Independently

Job Title Examples

Siding Installer
Fence Builder
Window Installer

Education & Training Resources

On-the-job training and several months of related installing, repairing and servicing experience usually required. A driver’s license may be required.

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Construction

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and apprenticeship preparation

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Carpenters

Hourly
Wages

Low
$23.83

Median
$29.59

High
$38.58

what you do

Main Job Duties

  • Read and interpret blueprints, drawings and sketches to determine specifications and calculate requirements
  • Measure, cut, shape, assemble and join materials made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials
  • Build foundations, install floor beams, lay subflooring and erect walls and roof systems
  • Fit and install trim items, such as doors, stairs, molding and hardware

Skills

Adaptability
Attention To Detail
Teamwork
Customer Service
Interpersonal Skills

Job Title Examples

Framing Carpenter
Finish Carpenter
Rough Carpenter

Education & Training Resources

Trade certification for general carpenters is non-compulsory in Ontario. Apprenticeship training consists of 6,480 hours on-the-job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training (approximately 4 years).

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Construction

COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and apprenticeship preparation

RED SEAL PROGRAM

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Contractors & Supervisors, Carpentry Trades

Hourly
Wages

Low
$31.39

Median
$39.23

High
$45.96

what you do

Main Job Duties

  • Establish methods to meet work schedules and coordinate work activities with other departments
  • Resolve work problems and recommend work measures to improve productivity
  • Ensure standards for safe working conditions are observed
  • Requisition materials and supplies, prepare schedules and other reports, and train or arrange training of workers

Skills

Customer Service Leadership
Time Management Communication
Planning

Job Title Examples

Construction Foreman
Carpenter Supervisor
Carpentry Contractor

Education & Training Resources

Several years of experience as a carpenter are required. Trade certification is usually required.

COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Construction Managers

Hourly
Wages

Low
$31.55

Median
$43.65

High
$54.75

what you do

Main Job Duties

  • Establish methods to meet work schedules and coordinate work activities with other departments
  • Resolve work problems and recommend work measures to improve productivity
  • Ensure standards for safe working conditions are observed
  • Requisition materials and supplies, prepare schedules and other reports, and train or arrange training of workers

Skills

Customer Service Leadership
Communication Planning
Time Management

Job Title Examples

Site Superintendent
Construction Project Manager
Residential Construction Manager

Education & Training Resources

Several years of experience in the construction industry, including experience as a construction supervisor or field superintendent, are usually required.

Trade certification or a college diploma in construction technology is usually required. A post-graduate certification in project management may be required.

Extensive experience in the construction industry may substitute for post-secondary education requirements.

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Entrepreneur / Business Owner

60 new construction businesses in the WDB Region are launched annually.

entrepreneurs and business owners what you do phone

Main Job Duties

  • Creating and managing a business plan, ongoing research and planning, hiring staff, creating policies, and forecasting
  • Maintaining business accounts, payments processing, taxes and general bookkeeping
  • Develop marketing campaigns, manage social media and conduct other marketing activities
  • Respond to customer service inquiries, including answering phone calls and emails to build a positive reputation for the business

Skills

Work Independently
Customer Service
Organization Accounting
Time Management

Job Title Examples

Small Business Owner
Franchisee

Education & Training Resources

ONTARIO SUMMER COMPANY
Grant for students aged 15 to 29 to start a new summer business
STARTER COMPANY PLUS
Grant for Canadians 18+ to start a new business or grow a business that has been in operations for fewer than five years
COMMUNITY FUTURES
Financing, mentorship and community support for local small businesses
INNOVATION CLUSTER
Supports entrepreneurs in the formation and growth of tech-driven companies

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

TRENT UNIVERSITY
Post-Secondary Education

Sources:
National Occupational Classification (NOC)
Lightcast (2023.3)
Job Bank
Job posting data is from WDB Local Jobs Hub (WDB Region)

These Career Ladders were developed as part of the Pathways to Prosperity Program
and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

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