Reports · Carpenter (Red Seal)
TRADE REPORT · LAST VERIFIED 2026-07-10
Carpenter (403A) Wages & Outlook in Canada — Trade Report
Also known as: General Carpenter, 403A.
One page of verified facts about the Carpenter trade in Canada: what it pays in each province, where the work is, how the apprenticeship and Red Seal path actually works, and how the exam is structured. Every figure below links to its source and states the period it covers. Nothing is estimated.
The trade in 30 seconds
Median hourly wage$32.12/hrCanada range $22.00–$44.23/hr
Red Seal exam100 questions70% pass mark · four hours
Projected openings44,70010-year national total, 2024–2033 (COPS)
This trade employed about 132,000 people across Canada as of 2023 (NOC 72310 (group includes apprentices and metal-framing carpenters; stats are not journeypersons-only)) [4]. This trade has been Red Seal-designated since 1959 [2]. Trade certification is compulsory in Quebec; voluntary in Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut. [6]
Practice Carpenter (Red Seal) free →
What you'll earn
According to Job Bank's own wage data (reference period 2023-2024), the national median sits at $32.12/hour, with a spread from $22.00 to $44.23 [3]. The published spread runs from $24.00/hour in New Brunswick to $36.84/hour in Quebec.
Median hourly wage by province/territory, highest to lowest
Quebec$36.84/hr
Yukon$35.00/hr
Nunavut$34.35/hr
Alberta$34.00/hr
Northwest Territories$33.33/hr
British Columbia$32.00/hr
Ontario$32.00/hr
Saskatchewan$30.00/hr
Manitoba$27.00/hr
Newfoundland & Labrador$27.00/hr
Nova Scotia$25.00/hr
Prince Edward Island$25.00/hr
New Brunswick$24.00/hr
View exact numbers
| Province / territory | Median | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $36.84 | $24.61–$44.00 |
| Yukon | $35.00 | $25.00–$45.00 |
| Nunavut | $34.35 | $20.46–$51.99 |
| Alberta | $34.00 | $22.22–$42.00 |
| Northwest Territories | $33.33 | $22.50–$50.00 |
| British Columbia | $32.00 | $23.00–$43.71 |
| Ontario | $32.00 | $22.00–$48.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $30.00 | $19.00–$40.00 |
| Manitoba | $27.00 | $20.00–$38.99 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $27.00 | $20.00–$39.27 |
| Nova Scotia | $25.00 | $20.00–$33.80 |
| Prince Edward Island | $25.00 | $20.00–$35.00 |
| New Brunswick | $24.00 | $18.00–$34.00 |
Source: Job Bank wage report, NOC 72310, updated 2025-11-19 [3]. Nationally, at least one non-wage benefit reaches 81.9% of workers in this occupation.
Already certified? The Red Seal was built to move with you between provinces — use the table above to see where the same ticket pays more.
Where the jobs are
The government's 10-year outlook for this occupation: STRONG risk of labour shortage, 2024-2033 (COPS; confirmed identically on both .gc.ca pages) [5] The workforce is 24% aged 50 or older, with a median retirement age of 64.0 [4]. Most work is in construction 91% of employment (2023) [5].
Why openings exist
35%65%
New jobs from growthOpenings from retirements/departures
expansion demand ~35%; replacement ~65% (retirements ~74% of replacement).
Job Bank 3-year employment outlook by province
Very good
Prince Edward Island
Good
Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Moderate
Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta, Yukon
Limited
Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia
View as a table
| Rating | Provinces |
|---|---|
| Very good | Prince Edward Island |
| Good | Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Nunavut |
| Moderate | Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta, Yukon |
| Limited | Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia |
Source: Job Bank outlook report, NOC 72310, updated 2026-06-02 [4].
The path to Red Seal
Total apprenticeship hours, by jurisdiction
- 7,200 total hours in most jurisdictions (Ontario: 6,480 on-job + 720 in-school, ~4 years, 3 levels; most others 4 levels)
- Quebec 7,350
- Yukon 6,400
- Alberta runs 4 periods of 1,560 on-job hours + 8 weeks classroom each
Source: interjurisdictional apprenticeship comparison [6].
For those already in the trade but not yet certified:
Challenge / trade-qualifier hours, by jurisdiction
- 10,800 in NL/NS/PE/NB/MB/SK
- 9,600 YT
- 9,540 BC
- 9,360 AB (Tradesecrets: 72 months + 9,360 verifiable hours + theory and practical exams)
- 9,000 NT/NU
- 7,200 ON
- no challenge path in QC
Source: interjurisdictional apprenticeship comparison [6].
Provincial & territorial regulators, exam rewrites & challenger rules
| Jurisdiction & authority | Status | Exam rewrite & challenger rules |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) / Skilled Trades Alberta [16] | Voluntary | Rewrites: Wait per authority; If second attempt score is 60-69%, formal Training Plan required within 30 days. If <60% or 3rd failure, application is cancelled.. Challenger: Typically 1.5x standard apprenticeship work hours (e.g., 7,020 to 9,360 hours depending on trade).. |
| British Columbia SkilledTradesBC [17] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Apprentice advisor consultation after 3rd attempt; proof of upgrading required after 4th attempt.. Challenger: Typically 1.5x apprenticeship hours (e.g., 9,000+ hours or 5+ years hands-on work).. |
| Manitoba Apprenticeship Manitoba [19] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Under General Regulation, candidates failing 2 or more times may be required by the Executive Director to complete upgrading before rewriting.. Challenger: 1.5x apprenticeship duration (typically 6 years and 9,600 to 10,800 hours).. |
| New Brunswick Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification (AOC), Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL) [20] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Scoring <=59% or failing 2 attempts triggers automatic referral to New Brunswick Learning Strategy Program.. Challenger: 1.5x apprenticeship training hours (typically 7,200 to 10,800 hours).. |
| Newfoundland & Labrador Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division (ATCD), Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills [21] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Apprentices failing 2 attempts and Trade Qualifiers failing 3 attempts are required to complete Self-Study Program (30-90 days) and counselling session.. Challenger: 1.5x apprenticeship on-the-job training hours (e.g., 10,800 hours for 4-year trades).. |
| Northwest Territories Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupation Certification (ATOC), Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) [22] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Failing an exam twice requires establishing and completing a structured work/training plan with employer and CDO.. Challenger: Typically 1.5x apprenticeship hours (~9,000 hours).. |
| Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA) [23] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; After 2 unsuccessful attempts, candidate must complete remedial training approved by an Industry Training Consultant.. Challenger: 1.5x apprenticeship term (typically 7,200 to 10,800 hours).. |
| Nunavut Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Unit, Department of Family Services [24] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Multiple failures trigger administrative review with regional CDO and employer to establish remedial learning requirements.. Challenger: Typically 1.5x apprenticeship hours (~9,000 hours).. |
| Ontario Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) [25] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; After repeated failures, candidates are advised to complete targeted upgrading before subsequent bookings.. Challenger: Work experience hours must equal or exceed total Ontario apprenticeship training hours (on-the-job + in-school, e.g., 9,000 hours for 5-year trades).. |
| Prince Edward Island Apprenticeship and Training Section, Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population (Apprenticeship PEI) [26] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Multiple failures evaluated individually; mandatory upgrading or structured review assigned before rebooking.. Challenger: 1.5x apprenticeship term (e.g., 7,400 hours for Welder, 10,800 hours for 4-year trades within past 10 years).. |
| Quebec Commission de la construction du Quebec (CCQ) [Construction] / Emploi-Quebec [Non-Construction] [27] | Compulsory | Rewrites: 90-day wait after fail; CCQ dynamically assigns waiting period based on apprentice periods and section scores to ensure on-the-job progression.. Challenger: Trade qualifier route available. |
| Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) [28] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 90-day wait after fail; After 3rd unsuccessful attempt, mandatory upgrading must be approved and completed via MyATC before further attempts.. Challenger: 1.5x apprenticeship term (typically 7,200 to 10,800 hours depending on trade).. |
| Yukon Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Unit, Department of Education (Yukon Apprenticeship) [29] | Voluntary | Rewrites: 30-day wait after fail; Failing a 3rd attempt requires repeating the technical training level before being permitted to test again.. Challenger: 1.5x standard Yukon apprenticeship hours (typically 9,000 to 10,800 hours).. |
Money on the table (active federal supports): Canada Apprentice Loan: up to $4,000 per period of technical training (up to 5 periods), interest-free until you complete or leave your apprenticeship; Employment Insurance (EI) for Apprentices: income support during full-time block classroom training (one waiting period for the entire apprenticeship); Tradesperson's Tools Deduction and Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit via the Canada Revenue Agency [13].
Announced federal package: the Team Canada Strong announcement includes $6B plan to recruit 80,000-100,000 new Red Seal trades workers over five years; $400/week Apprenticeship Training Grant during in-class technical training, worth up to $16,000 per apprentice, in addition to EI; one-time $5,000 Red Seal completion bonus. announced April 2026; amounts are 'up to' figures with first payments scheduled no earlier than fall 2026 (2026-27 fiscal year) — check Canada.ca for application opening dates [15]
- Ontario (General Carpenter 403A, non-compulsory): the C of Q does not have to be renewed, and holders do not appear on Skilled Trades Ontario's Public Register [11]
- In Alberta, the Ellis Chart lists 7,200 total hours while Alberta Tradesecrets specifies the 4-period structure as 1,560 on-the-job hours plus 8 weeks of classroom instruction per period
The exam — and what to study most
The interprovincial exam for this trade is 100 questions, pass mark 70% [10], writing time four hours [7]. Study time should follow the actual weightings, not a guess — here's the official split:
Official exam weightings, highest to lowest
D — Framing20%
C — Concrete work16%
B — Planning and layout14%
E — Exterior finishing14%
F — Interior finishing14%
A — Common occupational skills12%
G — Renovations10%
Sorted highest to lowest — Framing (top) carries the most marks on its own (20%).
View exact numbers
| Block | Share of exam | ≈ Questions |
|---|---|---|
| D — Framing | 20% | ~20 |
| C — Concrete work | 16% | ~16 |
| B — Planning and layout | 14% | ~14 |
| E — Exterior finishing | 14% | ~14 |
| F — Interior finishing | 14% | ~14 |
| A — Common occupational skills | 12% | ~12 |
| G — Renovations | 10% | ~10 |
Source: Red Seal exam information [7].
The math that matters: Framing alone is 20% of your score. A per-block diagnostic run is the fastest way to find real gaps. Try a free diagnostic on Carpenter (Red Seal) →
Common questions on the Red Seal path
Verified answers across the Red Seal journey: exam format, rewrite waiting periods, accommodations, interprovincial mobility, and employer/union sponsor rules — each linked to its primary government or regulator source.
View verified answers (23 questions)
| Question | Verified answer |
|---|---|
| Red Seal exam format, question count, time limit, and 70% pass mark | Every Red Seal interprovincial exam is a 4-hour, closed-book multiple-choice exam with 100 to 150 questions (depending on the trade) and a mandatory 70% pass mark. [12] |
| Why worked explanations and code/standard citations matter for passing | Memorizing answer letters fails on the Red Seal exam because exam forms rotate scenarios and values; understanding why an option is right—and why the three distractors are wrong—is what transfers to exam day. [12] |
| Which code edition and occupational standard govern a Red Seal exam | Each trade's exam is governed by its active Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) and the national code edition in force at the provincial exam sitting (such as the Canadian Electrical Code, National Plumbing Code, or CSA B149). [30] |
| How national NOC codes map to provincial trade codes (like 309A, 310S, 424A) | While the Red Seal exam is identical nationwide, provinces use their own registration codes and local titles—for example, Ontario uses 309A for Construction Electrician and 310S for Automotive Service Technician. [31] |
| How much practice is enough before booking the Red Seal exam | Aim to score 80% or higher consistently across every Major Work Activity block—not just overall—on timed, mixed-difficulty practice sets that include schematics, tables, and multi-step calculations. [12] |
| Trade Qualifier (Challenger) eligibility requirements and foreign credential assessment | Experienced tradespeople who did not complete a Canadian apprenticeship can apply to challenge the Red Seal exam by proving roughly 1.5 times the trade's apprenticeship hours (typically 8,100 to 10,800 hours) and full scope of trade skills. [32] |
| Federal apprentice grants (closed March 2025), Canada Apprentice Loan, EI, and tool tax deductions | The federal Apprenticeship Incentive Grant ($1,000/level) and Apprenticeship Completion Grant ($2,000) permanently closed on March 31, 2025; active federal supports include the interest-free Canada Apprentice Loan (up to $4,000 per school block), EI during block release, and the tradesperson's tool tax deduction. [33] |
| What to bring on Red Seal exam day and what is supplied in the room | Bring valid government-issued photo ID and your regulator's booking confirmation; the exam centre supplies the approved non-programmable calculator, pencils, scrap paper, formula sheet, and code book (if applicable). [12] |
| Red Seal exam rewrite waiting periods, attempt limits, and upgrading rules | If you score below 70%, you must wait 15 to 90 days (depending on your province) before rewriting, and after 2 to 3 failed attempts your provincial regulator requires an approved study plan or upgrading course before you can book again. [34] |
| Apprentice wage progression and certified journeyperson pay scales | Apprentices earn a stepped percentage of the journeyperson wage (typically starting at 50%–60% in Level 1 and rising to 80%–90% in Level 4), stepping up to 100% journeyperson rate once certified. [35] |
| Interprovincial Red Seal mobility, compulsory vs voluntary trades, and certificate renewal | The Red Seal endorsement (RSE) never expires and allows you to work in any province or territory without re-writing the certification exam, though compulsory trades require keeping your local provincial registration active. [36] |
| Apprenticeship duration, hours per level, and level exams vs final certification exam | Most Red Seal apprenticeships span 3 to 4 periods (levels), each requiring 1,500 to 1,800 logged on-the-job hours plus 6 to 8 weeks of in-school technical training, ending with the interprovincial Red Seal exam. [32] |
| Workers' compensation (WSIB / WorkSafe) coverage for apprentices, journeypersons, and contractors | Employed apprentices and journeypersons are covered by their employer's provincial workers' compensation account, while independent contractors in construction generally must register and maintain their own compulsory coverage. [37] |
| Employers & sponsors: apprentice supervision ratios, logbook sign-off, and hiring incentives | Employers sponsor apprentices through a Registered Training Agreement, must follow provincial journeyperson-to-apprentice supervision ratios, and can verify Red Seal credentials through provincial public registers. [33] |
| Clients & general contractors: verifying compulsory trade certificates, permits, and WSIB clearance | General contractors and property owners can verify a tradesperson's Certificate of Qualification on the provincial regulator's public register and must confirm an active WSIB/WorkSafe clearance certificate before work begins. [38] |
| Regulators & government: how CCDA, ESDC, and the 13 provincial authorities govern Red Seal trades | ESDC and the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) maintain the national Red Seal Occupational Standards (RSOS) and interprovincial exam bank, while the 13 provincial and territorial authorities administer training, eligibility, and sittings. [36] |
| Unions & training halls: joint apprenticeship committees, dispatch scales, and Red Seal exam prep | Trade unions (such as IBEW, UA, UBC, IUOE, and Ironworkers) operate Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs) that sponsor apprentices, deliver technical training, and tie full journeyperson dispatch rates to Red Seal certification. [39] |
| Colleges & trade instructors: aligning block-release curriculum with active Red Seal exam weightings | Public colleges, polytechnics, and accredited trade schools structure their in-school training blocks around the national Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) task matrix and official Major Work Activity exam weightings. [12] |
| Industry associations: National and Provincial Advisory Committees and standard updates | National and provincial trade associations nominate working journeypersons and employers to the workshops that write and update each trade's Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) and exam bank. [36] |
| Trade media & discovery: finding verified exam breakdowns, wages, and worked practice questions | Instead of relying on unverified forum threads or outdated PDF dumps, apprentices can verify exam block weightings, code editions, Ellis Chart hours, and Job Bank wages directly through official federal sources and cited Trade Reports. [30] |
| Suppliers & manufacturers: OEM specifications, WHMIS/SDS safety data, and code compliance on exams | Red Seal exams test generic trade principles, national codes, and WHMIS 2015 / SDS safety rules rather than brand-specific products, noting that manufacturer installation instructions govern wherever a code requires following certified listing specs. [12] |
| Financing, loans, and insurance: how apprentices fund training blocks and how contractors insure work | Apprentices fund training blocks through Employment Insurance (EI) and the interest-free Canada Apprentice Loan (up to $4,000/block), while independent contractors require commercial liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. [40] |
| Recruiters & job boards: NOC 2021 codes, provincial trade codes, and labour-market outlooks | Canadian trade job postings and labour-market forecasts are indexed by 5-digit NOC 2021 codes, provincial trade codes (like 309A or 310S), and Red Seal endorsement (RSE) status. [41] |
Practice against the same standard
Question Bank Hub's Carpenter bank is written to the same Red Seal standard the exam draws from, organized by the same blocks — so your practice scores map to the weightings above. The first questions are free, full explanations included, no account needed. The full bank runs 600 questions.
Practice Carpenter (Red Seal) free →
The best links
- red-seal.ca — Official Red Seal Carpenter hub: the full occupational standard PDF and trade profile.
- red-seal.ca — The exact 100-question block breakdown, sample questions, and the formula sheet provided at the sitting.
- red-seal.ca — The official exam guide: 70% pass mark, four-hour writing time, question style.
- www.jobbank.gc.ca — Government of Canada wage data by province (2023-2024 LFS).
- www.jobbank.gc.ca — Job Bank: 3-year prospects by province + the 10-year national outlook.
- occupations.esdc.gc.ca — ESDC's 2024-2033 projection behind the 'strong risk of shortage' assessment.
- ellischart.ca — Ellis Chart (ESDC): hours, levels, ratios, and certification status across all 13 jurisdictions.
- www.skilledtradesontario.ca — Ontario's authority page for General Carpenter 403A: registration, hours, C of Q.
Sources
- Statistics Canada — NOC 72310 occupation definition. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Red Seal — Carpenter trade profile. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Job Bank — Wages: Carpenter (NOC 72310). Data period 2023-2024; updated 2025-11-19. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Job Bank — Outlook (NOC 72310). updated 2026-06-02. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- ESDC — Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) 2024-2033. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Ellis Chart (ESDC) — interjurisdictional apprenticeship comparison. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Red Seal — exam information. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Red Seal — exam weightings. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Official Red Seal Carpenter hub: the full occupational standard PDF and trade profile. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- The official exam guide: 70% pass mark, four-hour writing time, question style. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Ontario's authority page for General Carpenter 403A: registration, hours, C of Q. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Red Seal — Exam Preparation Guide (70% pass mark, four-hour writing time). Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Government of Canada — Financial support for apprentices (Canada Apprentice Loan, EI, tax deductions). Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Employment and Social Development Canada — Apprenticeship Grants closure notice (ended March 31, 2025). Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Prime Minister's Office — Team Canada Strong announcement. updated 2026-04-29. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- alberta — Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) / Skilled Trades Alberta. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- british_columbia — SkilledTradesBC. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- federal — Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) / Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Accessed 2026-07-10.
- manitoba — Apprenticeship Manitoba. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- new_brunswick — Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification (AOC), Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL). Accessed 2026-07-10.
- newfoundland_labrador — Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division (ATCD), Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- northwest_territories — Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupation Certification (ATOC), Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE). Accessed 2026-07-10.
- nova_scotia — Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA). Accessed 2026-07-10.
- nunavut — Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Unit, Department of Family Services. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- ontario — Skilled Trades Ontario (STO). Accessed 2026-07-10.
- prince_edward_island — Apprenticeship and Training Section, Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population (Apprenticeship PEI). Accessed 2026-07-10.
- quebec — Commission de la construction du Quebec (CCQ) [Construction] / Emploi-Quebec [Non-Construction]. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- saskatchewan — Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC). Accessed 2026-07-10.
- yukon — Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Unit, Department of Education (Yukon Apprenticeship). Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Official reference — Which code edition and occupational standard govern a Red Seal exam. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Official reference — How national NOC codes map to provincial trade codes (like 309A, 310S, 424A). Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Official reference — Trade Qualifier (Challenger) eligibility requirements and foreign credential assessment. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Official reference — Federal apprentice grants (closed March 2025), Canada Apprentice Loan, EI, and tool tax deductions. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Official reference — Red Seal exam rewrite waiting periods, attempt limits, and upgrading rules. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Official reference — Apprentice wage progression and certified journeyperson pay scales. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Official reference — Interprovincial Red Seal mobility, compulsory vs voluntary trades, and certificate renewal. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Official reference — Workers' compensation (WSIB / WorkSafe) coverage for apprentices, journeypersons, and contractors. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Official reference — Clients & general contractors: verifying compulsory trade certificates, permits, and WSIB clearance. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Official reference — Unions & training halls: joint apprenticeship committees, dispatch scales, and Red Seal exam prep. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Official reference — Financing, loans, and insurance: how apprentices fund training blocks and how contractors insure work. Accessed 2026-07-10.
- Official reference — Recruiters & job boards: NOC 2021 codes, provincial trade codes, and labour-market outlooks. Accessed 2026-07-10.
This page is informational only. The wage and outlook figures are Government of Canada data as of the periods stated, and they do change — follow the links above for the current numbers.