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

$47.44

Contractors & Supervisors, Carpentry Trades

$39.33

Carpenters

$30.48

Residential & Commercial Installers & Servicers

$25.55

Construction Trades Helpers & Labourers

$24.71

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

Apprenticeship*

$26.00

*median hourly wage as of October 1, 2024

Apprenticeship

Hourly
Wages

Low
$22.00

Median
$26.00

High
$35.00

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

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Education & Training Resources

Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

Apprenticeship in Ontario

Skilled Trades Ontario

Starting an Apprenticeship

FLEMING COLLEGE

Apprenticeship Programs

Construction Training & Apprenticeship Ontario

Explore the Trades

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

Why Apprenticeship?

Support Ontario Youth

Is an Apprenticeship Right for You?

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

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Construction Trades Helpers & Labourers

Hourly
Wages

Low
$19.77

Median
$24.71

High
$34.59

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

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Construction

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board

Trillium Lakelands District School Board

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

Trades Fundamentals

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

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

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Residential & Commercial Installers & Servicers

Hourly
Wages

Low
$20.00

Median
$25.55

High
$35.60

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

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board

Trillium Lakelands District School Board

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

Carpentry and Renovation Technician

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

View Job Posts

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

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Carpenters

Hourly
Wages

Low
$24.38

Median
$30.48

High
$38.58

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

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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

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board

Trillium Lakelands District School Board

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board

COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

Fleming College: Carpenter – General Apprentice

Durham College: Carpentry – Building Construction Technician

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

Carpenter

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

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Contractors & Supervisors, Carpentry Trades

Hourly
Wages

Low
$31.39

Median
$39.33

High
$45.96

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

Loyalist College: Construction Engineering Technician

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

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Construction Managers

Hourly
Wages

Low
$35.42

Median
$47.44

High
$60.72

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.

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

Leadership Development

Construction Trade Management

Project Management

Leadership in a Team Environment

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

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Entrepreneur / Business Owner

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

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

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Education & Training Resources

ONTARIO SUMMER COMPANY
Grant for students aged 15 to 29 to start a new summer business

Northumberland Summer Company Program

Peterborough Summer Company Program

Kawartha Lakes Summer Company Program

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

Northumberland Starter Company Program

Peterborough Starter Company Program

Kawartha Lakes Starter Company Program

COMMUNITY FUTURES
Financing, mentorship and community support for local small businesses

Haliburton County Development Corporation

Kawartha Lakes CFDC

Community Futures Peterborough

Northumberland CFDC

INNOVATION CLUSTER
Supports entrepreneurs in the formation and growth of tech-driven companies

Innovation Cluster

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

Business Case Development

Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

Small Business Financial Management

Construction Trade Management

TRENT UNIVERSITY
Post-Secondary Education

Business Administration (B.B.A.), Entrepreneurship Specialization

Explore Another Career

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 Prosp erity 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.

Construction

Career Ladder

Learn About The Construction Career Path

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

Entrepreneur / Business Owner

Construction Managers

Contractors & Supervisors, Carpentry Trades

Carpenters

Residential & Commercial Installers & Servicers

Construction Trades Helpers & Labourers

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

Apprenticeship*

Apprenticeship

What is Apprenticeship?

Skills

Examples of Trades with Apprenticeships

Education & Training Resources

Construction Trades Helpers & Labourers

Main Job Duties

Skills

Job Title Examples

Education & Training Resources

Residential & Commercial Installers & Servicers

Main Job Duties

Skills

Job Title Examples

Education & Training Resources

Carpenters

Main Job Duties

Skills

Job Title Examples

Education & Training Resources

Contractors & Supervisors, Carpentry Trades

Main Job Duties

Skills

Job Title Examples

Education & Training Resources

Construction Managers

Main Job Duties

Skills

Job Title Examples

Education & Training Resources

Entrepreneur / Business Owner

Main Job Duties

Skills

Job Title Examples

Education & Training Resources

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