Contractor Wages: Mason Rates Across Canada — 2026

Mason hourly wages in Canada range from $22.98 to $44.46 per hour across four provinces surveyed, with experienced journeymen earning $31.32 per hour on average. Alberta leads the country with the highest mason wages, while New Brunswick shows the most constrained wage ranges, reflecting significant regional variations in construction labour markets.

The wage progression from apprentice to experienced mason follows predictable patterns but varies substantially by province. Apprentices typically start at 60-80% of journeyman rates, with structured increases through their training periods. In Alberta, apprentice bricklayers earn $18.60 to $37.80 per hour depending on their year of training, while journeyman rates reach $30.00 to $50.00 per hour for red brick and refractory work.

Provincial Market Drivers

Alberta's premium mason wages reflect the province's resource-driven economy and chronic skilled trades shortages. The $45.00 to $50.00 per hour range for refractory sector journeymen represents specialized industrial work in oil and gas facilities, where extreme heat resistance requirements command top rates. Even general construction mason work pays $30.00 to $42.00 per hour for journeymen, supported by robust commercial and residential development in Calgary and Edmonton.

Ontario's mason wages cluster in a narrower band despite the province's diverse construction markets. Journeyman bricklayers average $37.00 to $40.00 per hour, while senior-level masons can reach $50.83 per hour according to Job Bank data. The province's mature construction industry and established apprenticeship programs create more standardized wage progression, though stonemasons command premium rates of $30.00 per hour average for specialized heritage and high-end residential work.

British Columbia shows surprising wage compression despite Vancouver's high cost of living. Journeyman bricklayers earn $24.15 to $37.00 per hour, with the lower end reflecting rural markets and the upper end representing Metro Vancouver rates. The province's emphasis on seismic-resistant construction and complex building envelope requirements should theoretically support higher wages, but a larger pool of skilled masons keeps rates moderate compared to Alberta.

New Brunswick's constrained wage ranges reflect the province's smaller construction market and lower cost of living. Journeyman masons earn $20.11 to $31.00 per hour, with specialized refractory work reaching $20.00 to $45.00 per hour - though the upper range likely represents rare industrial projects. The province's focus on heritage preservation and smaller-scale residential projects limits opportunities for premium wages.

Experience and Certification Impact

The apprenticeship progression shows clear financial benefits for completing formal training. Alberta apprentices start at minimum 60% of journeyman rates in year one, advancing to 80% in year two and 90% in year three. This structured approach, overseen by the Safety Codes Council of Alberta, ensures predictable wage progression while maintaining quality standards.

Master-level and contracting masons command significant premiums over journeyman rates. Ontario data shows masonry contractors earning up to $100,319 annually - equivalent to $48.23 per hour - while senior brick masons reach $88,234 annually or $42.42 per hour. These positions require not only technical expertise but also project management skills and often involve supervising multiple journeymen.

Specialized sectors consistently pay above standard residential rates. Refractory masons working on industrial furnaces, kilns, and high-temperature applications earn $45.00 to $50.00 per hour across provinces, reflecting the specialized training required for heat-resistant materials and extreme working conditions.

Residential Project Context

For homeowners hiring mason contractors, these wage rates translate into different project costs depending on the markup structure. A typical residential mason working at $35.00 per hour journeyman rate will be billed to clients at $70.00 to $105.00 per hour when hired through established masonry contractors, who must cover overhead, insurance, equipment, and profit margins.

Direct-hire scenarios - where homeowners hire masons independently - may approach the raw wage rates more closely but sacrifice the warranty protection and project management that established contractors provide. The $31.32 average hourly rate across provinces provides a baseline for evaluating mason labour components in renovation quotes, though material costs, site conditions, and project complexity significantly impact total pricing.