Montreal's Construction Industry Has To Fill 20,000 Jobs & Here's How Much They Pay

There are officially 20,000 new jobs in Montreal's construction industry and we decided to take a look at how much they pay.

"Quebec's construction industry has seen a record number of projects this year and is projecting a critical worker shortage over the next 10 years."

A report, conducted by the Association de la Construction du Québec (ACQ), projects that Quebec's construction industry will need roughly 20,000 workers a year over the next 10 years to meet the demand for city projects. The report identified 30 jobs that are in serious need of workers. 

This year, the industry was short some 25,000 workers. In what the ACQ calls a "consequence of an industry working at full capacity", they estimate that "at the current pace, the ACQ will work more than 180 million hours in 2019, a record for the industry."

According to the ACQ, a "major technological shift" is one of the main drivers behind this drastic worker shortage. Over the next few weeks, the ACQ will tour the province, working with communities and coming up with solutions to this problem. The organization advocates for access to education in the regions and better training for newcomers in related industries.

But perhaps you can be someone to fill one of these much-needed jobs in the future?

Montreal is home to many vocational programs and opportunities. And with plenty of work to be had, this could be your chance at a long and fulfilling career.

It doesn't hurt that all of these jobs pay much better than your barista job, too!

Here are 7 of the most crucial jobs that Quebec's construction industry needs to fill. The full list of jobs provided by the ACQ can be found at the end of this article!

All salary estimates found on Payscale.com

This article is not sponsored. 

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READ ALSO: Montreal Homebuyers Will Now Pay $35,000 More Than Last Year As Market Continues To Soar

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General Labourers

Salary: $16.48/hour (average), $24.57/hour (experienced)

As the backbone of the workforce, you'll be doing all kinds of tasks. Be prepared to have extensive general knowledge of construction regulations and handy work. 

Depending on the company you work for, expect to receive benefits including health and dental. 

Elevator Mechanics 

Salary: $40.71/hour (average), $59.26/hour (experienced)

Notice how many high-rise condos are springing up around town? Obviously, those who can afford luxury condominiums don't want to walk up 37 flights of stairs to get home.

Enter the elevator mechanic.

With a record number of developments in Montreal and many more on the horizon, there's nowhere to go but up (and down and up and...)

Electricians 

Salary: $27.66/hour (average), $40.42 (experienced)

I always get nervous around electricity but if I didn't I would certainly consider becoming an electrician. Acquaintances have told me that it's one of the most well paying and satisfying jobs out there. 

Don't get me wrong, you're gonna be working a helluva lot at first, but soon enough, you'll be joining the legions of homebuyers in Laval. 

Heavy Equipment Operators 

Salary: $25.16/hour (average), $35.56/hour (experienced)

Ever watched those Discovery Channel shows How It's Made and Mega-Machines and marvelled at the awesome scale of some construction equipment? Think of the joy you had watching a massive pulverizer make quick work of some rock and now imagine you sitting in the driver's seat. 

If giant mega-machines aren't your thing, those wee little excavators are also awesome. 

Crane Operators

Salary: $24.45/hour (average), $35.45/hour (experienced)

Don't be afraid of heights! Tower over the construction zone in a massive crane. As one of the most important jobs in modern-day construction, crane operators are in high demand and anyone with the skills will certainly find a job in Montreal. 

Welders 

Salary: $17.87/hour (average), $25.90 (experienced)

It's kind of like being a blacksmith, but except for forging swords you help forge the foundations of a building (or bridge or road or whatever!) 

Welders are a key component of any large-scale construction project so strike while the iron is hot! 

Painters

Salary: $16.80/hour (average), $25.61/hour (experienced)

If heavy lifting, grinding metal, electricity, and massive machines don't impress you much, pick up that spray gun and get to work. 

Painters are as crucial to the success of a condo development as any other job on that construction site. 

If none of these jobs interest you, don't worry! There are 23 other jobs in Montreal that need all hands on deck! 

To see the full list from the ACQ, please visit their official website (in French only).