Recruiting and retaining employees in the trades continues to be a challenge,not only in Saskatchewan, but across all jurisdictions in Canada. In response to the challenges facing employers, Koenig & Associates completed a trades survey in the first quarter of 2014.  The survey covered nine key trades:

• Carpenter
• Electrician
• Heavy Duty Mechanic
• Industrial Mechanic/Millwright
• Light Duty Mechanic (Auto, Truck)
• Machinist
• Plumber
• Steamfitter/Pipefitter
• Welder

There was a significant level of interest in collecting and sharing of data for industry sectors that employ these trades. We want to share with you some of the key results coming out of the survey.

• Average journeymen wages ranged from $33.10 per hour (Light Duty Mechanics) to $39.40 per hour (Steamfitter/Pipefitter);
• We found that 50% of the organizations surveyed pay the same wage rates for all of the trades employed by their organization, despite a potential variation in wages in other industry sectors of up to 20% for these same positions;
• Average wage rates for Light Duty Mechanics and Carpenters have remained relatively stable since 2012 and have not increased at the same pace as the other trades;
• Average wage rates for Machinists and Industrial Mechanics/Millwrights have increased at a greater pace than the other trades.

Koenig continues to actively collect and analyze compensation data for the trades.  If you have an interest in more detailed information about a specific trade, please contact Shannan at scorey@koenig.ca