CCQ apprentice wages in 2026: percentage of the journeyman rate, hours and periods

How much does a CCQ apprentice earn compared with a journeyman?

Between 50% and 85% of the journeyman rate, depending on their apprenticeship period and the number of periods in their trade. The wage schedules of the collective agreements publish an hourly amount per period. Expressed as a share of the journeyman rate, these amounts give the following in the schedules consulted:

The elevator mechanic trade has 5 periods (10,000 hours) and its own schedule. A calculation by percentage may differ by one cent from the published amount: the schedule is what counts.

What is the rate for an apprentice electrician, plumber or carpenter-joiner in 2026?

An apprentice electrician or plumber starts at $25.40/h in IC ($23.93/h in light residential); an apprentice carpenter-joiner, at $30.10/h in IC ($27.45/h in light residential). Hourly rates from the official schedules, in effect since April 26, 2026.

Electrician and plumber (pipefitter): 4 periods

Carpenter-joiner: 3 periods

Sources: schedules R and R-1 (residential), C (IC) and B (industrial) of the 2025-2029 collective agreements, reread on October 13, 2026. Day rates (carpenter-joiners have a separate evening shift rate). In civil engineering and roads (schedule D), a first-period apprentice electrician earns $25.44/h and an apprentice carpenter-joiner $30.14/h. Details by trade: electrician, plumber, carpenter-joiner, roofer, or all trades in the 2026 CCQ rate table.

When does an apprentice move to the next period?

After 2,000 hours of apprenticeship in their trade, not based on their seniority with the employer. Here is how it works:

1. Hours accumulate in the apprentice's CCQ file, based on the employers' monthly reports (or the hours recognized by the CCQ). Hours that are omitted or misreported show up as is in their apprenticeship booklet.
2. From 1,600 recorded hours, the CCQ mails a notice to the apprentice. The apprentice is responsible for keeping track of their hours.
3. At 2,000 hours, the apprentice notifies their employer by giving them the CCQ notice and their pay stubs for the following weeks. The employer must then change the wage rate, without requiring the CCQ to stamp the booklet.
4. The new rate is retroactive up to 20 working days before the apprentice's notice (IC, industrial, civil engineering and roads). In residential, the apprentice must give a copy of the CCQ notice to their employer within 10 working days of receiving it; otherwise, they are not entitled to any retroactive pay beyond 10 days.
5. An updated apprenticeship booklet is mailed to the apprentice at the end of each period.

Keep on file the CCQ notice and the pay stubs that support each rate change.

How many hours does it take to become a journeyman?

From 2,000 to 10,000 hours depending on the trade: 8,000 hours for electricians and pipefitters (plumbers), 6,000 for carpenter-joiners and painters, 4,000 for roofers. Each period is 2,000 hours.

• Qualification exam: available from 85% of the hours required for the trade, i.e. 6,800 hours out of 8,000 for an electrician. Passing it leads to the journeyman competency certificate.
• Journeyman rate after the exam: in IC, industrial and civil engineering and roads, the employer pays the journeyman rate from the date of the exam (adjustment limited to 20 working days if the apprentice is late in handing in the CCQ letter). The residential agreement does not include this rule: confirm on ccq.org.
• DEP: the hours of a recognized vocational studies diploma (DEP) are increased by 50% and deducted from the total. CCQ example: the bricklayer-mason DEP, rated at 900 hours, gives 1,350 recognized hours out of 6,000.
• Experience outside the R-20 Act: it can be recognized, but recognized experience and training together cannot exceed 70% of the length of the apprenticeship.

Is an apprentice entitled to the same benefits?

Yes for the 13% vacation pay, but the employer pension contribution is lower: $4.29/h for an apprentice, compared with $5.21/h for other employees, since April 26, 2026.

• 13% vacation pay: each week, the employer credits 13% of wages earned (6% for annual vacation, 5.5% for statutory holidays, 1.5% for sick leave). The agreement covers every employee, apprentices included. The employer remits it monthly to the CCQ, which pays it to the employee twice a year: at the end of June and the end of November (the November 2026 payment is scheduled for November 25).
• Pension plan: employer contribution per hour worked of $4.29 for an apprentice and $5.21 for other employees, in all four agreements.
• Group insurance and other contributions: the employer also contributes per hour worked, depending on the trade and the sector (see the agreements). They are not included in the example below.

How much does an apprentice cost the employer, compared with a journeyman?

For an electrician in IC, a first-period apprentice costs about $32.99/h (wages, 13% and employer pension), compared with $62.60/h for a journeyman, before group insurance and the employer's statutory contributions.

Over a full 2,000-hour period, the base wages of a first-period apprentice total $50,800, compared with $101,580 for a journeyman. This calculation only measures the cost of the rate; the apprentice-to-journeyman ratio rules should be confirmed on ccq.org.

In SubmitX, payroll for employees covered by the CCQ is calculated from timesheets, with hours tied to the project; CCQ payroll is part of the Pro plan (see pricing). Each apprentice's rate must stay in line with their booklet: check the period with every CCQ notice. See also the employer cost calculator, our CCQ payroll guide and the article on CCQ rates by sector.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an apprentice electrician earn in 2026?

In the institutional-commercial sector, $25.40/h in the first period (50% of the journeyman rate, $50.79/h), then $30.47, $35.55 and $43.17/h in the fourth period (85%). In light residential: $23.93, $28.72, $33.50 then $40.68/h.

After how many hours does a CCQ apprentice move to the next period?

After 2,000 hours of apprenticeship in their trade. They notify their employer with the CCQ notice and their pay stubs; the new rate is retroactive up to 20 working days before the notice (10 days in residential).

How many hours does it take to become a journeyman?

From 2,000 to 10,000 hours depending on the trade: 8,000 for electricians and pipefitters (plumbers), 6,000 for carpenter-joiners and painters, 4,000 for roofers.

Is an apprentice entitled to the 13% vacation pay and the pension plan?

Yes. The employer credits 13% of wages earned, which the CCQ pays out in June and November. The employer pension contribution is $4.29/h for an apprentice, compared with $5.21/h for other employees.

Sources

• CCQ, Apprentice: periods, length by trade, booklet, change of period.
• CCQ, Training: a priority for the industry: exam at 85%, DEP example.
• CCQ, Recognition of training and work experience.
• CCQ, Wages and rates: increases of April 26, 2026.
• CCQ, Vacation pay: 13% vacation pay.
• CCQ, industrial sector agreement 2025-2029, section XVI (wages).
• CCQ, 2025-2029 collective agreement, residential sector: schedules R, R-1, articles 21.02 7), 24.02, 26.03.
• CCQ, 2025-2029 collective agreement, institutional and commercial sector: schedule C, articles 16.01 4), 19.05, 27.03.
• CCQ, 2025-2029 collective agreement, industrial sector: schedule B, article 16.01 6).
• CCQ, 2025-2029 collective agreement, civil engineering and roads sector: schedule D, article 17.01 8).

Last checked: October 13, 2026. The rates were reread in the schedules of the collective agreements. In case of discrepancy, the official text of the agreements prevails. This article is for information only and does not replace confirmation from the CCQ.