Plasterer CCQ wage 2026: hourly rate by sector
In 2026, a journeyman plasterer earns $48.26/h in the institutional-commercial (IC) sector and $44.98/h in light residential (rates in effect since April 26, 2026).
The plasterer installs drywall, tapes joints and applies plaster coatings. The trade has 3 apprenticeship periods. The rate goes from $44.98 in light residential to $48.05 in heavy residential and $48.26 in IC, or $3.28 more per hour in IC than in light residential. 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 | $44.98 | $2.93 | $5.21 |
| Heavy residential | $48.05 | $2.93 | $5.21 |
| Institutional-commercial (IC) | $48.26 | $3.26 | $5.21 |
| Industrial | $48.26 | $3.26 | $5.21 |
| Civil engineering and roadwork | $48.47 | $3.26 | $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 ($50.07/h in IC).
Apprentice plasterer wages
The plasterer 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st period (0 to 2,000 h) | 60% | $26.99 | $28.83 | $28.96 | $28.96 | $29.08 |
| 2nd period (2,000 to 4,000 h) | 70% | $31.49 | $33.64 | $33.78 | $33.78 | $33.93 |
| 3rd period (4,000 to 6,000 h) | 85% | $38.23 | $40.84 | $41.02 | $41.02 | $41.20 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $44.98 | $48.05 | $48.26 | $48.26 | $48.47 |
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 plasterer in IC
- Hourly rate (IC)
- $48.26
- Vacation and holidays (13% × $48.26)
- $6.27
- Pension plan (employer share)
- $5.21
- Insurance (employer share)
- $3.26
- 9% tax on insurance
- $0.29
- Hourly cost
- $63.29
$48.26 + $6.27 + $5.21 + $3.26 + $0.29 (9% tax) = $63.29 (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 × $48.26)
- $86,868
- Vacation and holidays (13%)
- $11,293
- Employer cost (1,800 h × $63.29)
- $113,922
Example only, in IC, without overtime, premiums or travel expenses. The number of hours actually worked varies by job site and season.
Frequently asked questions
What does a CCQ plasterer earn in 2026?
Since April 26, 2026, a journeyman plasterer earns $48.26/h in the institutional-commercial sector and $44.98/h in light residential. This rate does not include the 13% for vacation and holidays or benefits.
How much does an apprentice plasterer earn?
The plasterer apprenticeship has 3 periods of 2,000 hours. In IC, a 1st-period apprentice earns 60% of the journeyman rate, about $28.96/h, and a last-period apprentice 85%, about $41.02/h (calculated from the CCQ scale).
Does the CCQ rate for a plasterer 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, $50.07/h for a plasterer.
How much does a plasterer cost the employer per hour?
In IC, expect about $63.29/h: $48.26 in wages, $6.27 in vacation and holidays (13%), $5.21 in pension plan and $3.26 in insurance. Statutory contributions (QPP, EI, QPIP, CNESST, HSF) are extra.
Other trades
- Painter CCQ wage$47.39/h in IC
- Carpenter-joiner CCQ wage$50.16/h in IC
- Bricklayer-mason CCQ wage$49.57/h in IC
- All trades2026 CCQ rate table
Source: official CCQ wage rate tool (ccq.org), consulted on October 1, 2026. The text of the collective agreements prevails.