Painter CCQ wage 2026: hourly rate by sector

In 2026, a journeyman painter earns $47.39/h in the institutional-commercial (IC) sector and $42.81/h in light residential (rates in effect since April 26, 2026).

The painter prepares surfaces and applies paints, stains and protective coatings. The trade has 3 apprenticeship periods. Of our 10 trade pages, it has the largest gap between light residential ($42.81) and IC ($47.39): $4.58 an hour. Civil engineering pays $47.89. The industrial sector pays exactly the same rate as IC.

Journeyman hourly rate by sector (2026)

Sector	Hourly rate	Employer insurance	Employer pension
Light residential	$42.81	$2.93	$5.21
Heavy residential	$46.99	$2.93	$5.21
Institutional-commercial (IC)	$47.39	$3.13	$5.21
Industrial	$47.39	$3.13	$5.21
Civil engineering and roadwork	$47.89	$3.13	$5.21

Regular hourly rate, excluding the 13% for vacation and holidays and benefits. Rates are provincial: they do not vary by region, except for isolated job sites, the James Bay region and north of the 55th parallel, which have separate schedules ($49.54/h in IC).

Apprentice painter wages

The painter apprenticeship has 3 periods of 2,000 hours. In each period, the apprentice earns a percentage of the journeyman rate.

Period	% of rate	Light residential	Heavy residential	IC	Industrial	Civil engineering and roadwork
1^st period (0 to 2,000 h)	60%	$25.69	$28.19	$28.43	$28.43	$28.73
2^nd period (2,000 to 4,000 h)	70%	$29.97	$32.89	$33.17	$33.17	$33.52
3^rd period (4,000 to 6,000 h)	85%	$36.39	$39.94	$40.28	$40.28	$40.71
Journeyman	100%	$42.81	$46.99	$47.39	$47.39	$47.89

Apprentice rates calculated by SubmitX: CCQ scale percentage × journeyman rate, rounded to the cent. The employer pension contribution is lower for apprentices.

Employer cost of a painter in IC

Hourly rate (IC): $47.39
Vacation and holidays (13% × $47.39): $6.16
Pension plan (employer share): $5.21
Insurance (employer share): $3.13
9% tax on insurance: $0.28
Hourly cost: $62.17

$47.39 + $6.16 + $5.21 + $3.13 + $0.28 (9% tax) = $62.17 (rounded, same method as the calculator). Statutory contributions are extra: QPP (Quebec Pension Plan), employment insurance (EI), QPIP (Quebec Parental Insurance Plan), CNESST (workplace health and safety board) and HSF (Health Services Fund), plus the other CCQ contributions (training, compensation, levy). The 13% (6% vacation, 5.5% statutory holidays, 1.5% sick leave) is remitted to the CCQ, which pays it to the worker twice a year.

Example: annual estimate over 1,800 hours

Wages (1,800 h × $47.39): $85,302
Vacation and holidays (13%): $11,089
Employer cost (1,800 h × $62.17): $111,906

Example only, in IC, without overtime, premiums or travel expenses. The number of hours actually worked varies by job site and season.

Calculate the total cost →SubmitX also automates CCQ payroll: rates, vacation pay and monthly reports.

Frequently asked questions

What does a CCQ painter earn in 2026?

Since April 26, 2026, a journeyman painter earns $47.39/h in the institutional-commercial sector and $42.81/h in light residential. This rate does not include the 13% for vacation and holidays or benefits.

How much does an apprentice painter earn?

The painter apprenticeship has 3 periods of 2,000 hours. In IC, a 1st-period apprentice earns 60% of the journeyman rate, about $28.43/h, and a last-period apprentice 85%, about $40.28/h (calculated from the CCQ scale).

Does the CCQ rate for a painter change by region?

No. CCQ rates are the same everywhere in Quebec for a given sector. Only isolated job sites, the James Bay region and projects north of the 55th parallel have separate schedules: in IC, $49.54/h for a painter.

How much does a painter cost the employer per hour?

In IC, expect about $62.17/h: $47.39 in wages, $6.16 in vacation and holidays (13%), $5.21 in pension plan and $3.13 in insurance. Statutory contributions (QPP, EI, QPIP, CNESST, HSF) are extra.

Other trades

Source: official CCQ wage rate tool (ccq.org), consulted on October 1, 2026. The text of the collective agreements prevails.