HOW TO BECOME AN ELECTRICIAN IN ONTARIO?

Electricians are essential to modern life—powering our homes, businesses, and technology. They install, maintain, and repair the electrical systems that keep everything running. The electrical trade offers a wide range of career paths, from residential and commercial wiring to advanced work in fiber optics, automation, and renewable energy. With strong job demand and limitless opportunities, it's a future-proof career worth pursuing.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming a licensed electrician in Ontario:

01.

Start with Pre-Apprenticeship Training

Begin your journey by enrolling in a pre-apprenticeship program at a recognized trade school like QuickFast Service Academy. This foundational training prepares you for real job-site experience and gives you a competitive edge when applying for apprenticeships.

02.

Secure an Apprenticeship

To move forward, you’ll need to find an employer who will officially sponsor you as an apprentice. This allows you to register with the QuickFast Service Academy and begin accumulating your hours.

03.

Learn on the Job + In-Class Training

As an apprentice, you'll gain hands-on experience while getting paid. You'll also attend four separate 8-week blocks of in-school technical training over the course of your apprenticeship. This balance of jobsite learning and classroom instruction helps you build both skill and confidence.

04.

Complete 9,000 Hours of Training

The electrician apprenticeship in Ontario requires 9,000 hours of combined on-the-job and in-class training. This typically takes about 5 years to complete.

05.

Write the Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) Exam

Once you’ve completed your hours and training, you’ll be eligible to write the Certificate of Qualification exam. Passing this exam earns you journeyperson status and opens the door to higher-paying, independent work.

06.

Get Licensed

After passing your exam, you can apply for your electrical license and officially work as a licensed electrician in Ontario. From here, you can pursue specialized certifications, run your own business, or work toward your Red Seal to work across Canada.

ELECTRICIAN SALARY IN CANADA

A career as an electrician offers not just stability, but strong earning potential across Canada—especially in Ontario. Salaries vary depending on experience, specialization, and whether you’re employed or self-employed, but overall, electricians are among the highest-paid skilled trades professionals.

Average Annual Salaries by Role:

Master Electrician – $90,000–$120,000+
Oversees electrical teams, manages large projects, and may own or operate a contracting business.
Electrical Contractor (Self-Employed) – $85,000–$150,000+
Sets their own rates, bids on projects, and can scale income based on workload and team size.
Industrial Electrician – $80,000–$95,000+
Works in factories, plants, or production facilities; often earns higher wages due to complex systems and shift work.
Commercial Electrician – $75,000–$90,000+
Installs and maintains electrical systems in office buildings, retail stores, and other commercial properties.
Residential Electrician – $65,000–$80,000+
Specializes in home wiring, renovations, and service calls.
Apprentice Electrician – $20–$30 per hour
Earns while they learn, with pay increasing as hours and experience accumulate.
Journeyperson Electrician – $35–$45+ per hour
Fully licensed and qualified to work independently, with excellent job prospects and benefits.