Top 10 Highest Paying Hourly Jobs in Alberta by Industry (2024)

Alberta, known for its resource-rich economy, leads Canada with some of the highest-paying hourly jobs. In 2024, industries related to mining, engineering, and construction top the wage charts in Alberta.

10 Highest Paying Industries in Alberta (2024)

1. Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction: $48.71/hour
2. Heavy and civil engineering construction: $45.58/hour
3. Support activities for mining, and oil and gas extraction: $44.85/hour
4. Architectural, engineering and related services: $43.53/hour
5. Other heavy and civil engineering construction: $43.09/hour
6. Other specialty trade contractors: $40.87/hour
7. Local, municipal and regional public administration: $40.24/hour
8. Construction: $39.32/hour
9. Non-residential building construction: $39.16/hour
10. Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment rental and leasing: $38.76/hour

These industries reflect Alberta’s strong focus on natural resources, energy, and infrastructure development, where skilled labor commands premium wages.

Alberta Wage Trends and Economic Insights

• The energy sector continues to drive higher pay due to the technical expertise required.
• Engineering and architectural services are highly valued, often linked to infrastructure expansion.
• Specialty trades and public administration remain competitive, reflecting government and urban development demands.

Highest Hourly Wages by Industry in Alberta (2024)

Rank	Industry	Average hourly pay in 2024
1	Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction	$48.71
2	Heavy and civil engineering construction	$45.58
3	Support activities for mining, and oil and gas extraction	$44.85
4	Architectural, engineering and related services	$43.53
5	Other heavy and civil engineering construction	$43.09
6	Other specialty trade contractors	$40.87
7	Local, municipal and regional public administration	$40.24
8	Construction	$39.32
9	Non-residential building construction	$39.16
10	Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment rental and leasing	$38.76
11	Building equipment contractors	$38.74
12	Construction, forestry, mining, and industrial machinery, equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers	$38.43
13	Professional, scientific and technical services	$38.27
14	Goods producing industries 7	$38.16
15	Machinery, equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers	$37.70
16	Specialty trade contractors	$37.53
17	Computer systems design and related services	$37.03
18	Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investment and related activities	$36.79
19	Offices of dentists	$36.28
20	Construction of buildings	$36.23
21	Finance and insurance	$35.82
22	Rental and leasing services	$35.18
23	Ambulatory health care services	$34.72
24	Machinery manufacturing	$34.58
25	Specialized freight trucking	$34.14
26	Architectural and structural metals manufacturing	$33.62
27	Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors	$33.27
28	Support activities for transportation	$33.18
29	Fabricated metal product manufacturing	$33.00
30	Agencies, brokerages and other insurance related activities	$32.67
31	Residential building construction	$32.65
32	Air transportation	$32.64
33	Office administrative services	$32.59
34	Durable goods 10	$32.47
35	Repair and maintenance	$32.35
36	Transportation and warehousing	$32.30
37	Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services	$32.02
38	Other professional, scientific and technical services	$31.66
39	Wholesale trade	$31.44
40	Management of companies and enterprises	$31.38
41	Truck transportation	$31.28
42	Manufacturing	$31.08
43	Education special 18	$31.07
44	Other wood product manufacturing	$30.73
45	Real estate and rental and leasing	$30.69
46	Wood product manufacturing	$30.68
47	Industrial aggregate excluding unclassified businesses 5 6	$30.62
48	Automotive repair and maintenance	$30.02
49	Miscellaneous merchant wholesalers	$29.89
50	Health care and social assistance	$29.80
51	Automobile dealers	$29.27
52	Motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories merchant wholesalers	$29.24
53	Non-durable goods 9	$29.18
54	Other services (except public administration)	$29.11
55	Health and personal care retailers	$29.02
56	Health and personal care retailers	$29.02
57	Legal services	$28.28
58	Motor vehicle and parts dealers	$28.14
59	General freight trucking	$28.04
60	Service producing industries 11	$27.97
61	Employment services	$27.82
62	Elementary and secondary schools	$27.39
63	Social assistance	$26.98
64	Other schools and instruction	$26.41
65	Offices of real estate agents and brokers	$26.39
66	Religious, grant-making, civic, and professional and similar organizations	$26.33
67	Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services	$26.21
68	Warehousing and storage	$26.14
69	Educational services	$26.11
70	Furniture and related product manufacturing	$25.69
71	Administrative and support services	$25.57
72	Performing arts, spectator sports and related industries	$25.47
73	Furniture, floor covering, window treatment and other home furnishings retailers	$25.04
74	Furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers	$24.97
75	Trade 12	$24.88
76	Food merchant wholesalers	$23.84
77	Food, beverage and tobacco merchant wholesalers	$23.78
78	Real estate	$23.76
79	Retail trade	$22.85
80	Personal care services	$22.56
81	Lessors of real estate	$22.42
82	Personal and laundry services	$22.41
83	Other personal services	$22.02
84	Sporting goods, hobby and musical instrument retailers	$21.30
85	Arts, entertainment and recreation	$21.11
86	Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers	$20.50
87	Beer, wine and liquor retailers	$20.40
88	Other amusement and recreation industries	$20.22
89	Clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers	$20.08
90	Food and beverage retailers	$20.02
91	Grocery and convenience retailers	$19.92
92	Clothing and clothing accessories retailers	$19.90
93	Amusement, gambling and recreation industries	$19.63
94	Gasoline stations and fuel vendors	$18.73
95	Accommodation and food services	$18.68
96	Gasoline stations	$18.54
97	Food services and drinking places	$18.39

FAQ

1. Which industry pays the highest hourly wage in Alberta?
The mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector leads with an average hourly pay of $48.71 in 2024.

2. Are construction jobs well-paid in Alberta?
Yes, multiple construction sectors like heavy and civil engineering construction and non-residential building construction offer wages above $39/hour, reflecting the province’s infrastructure needs.

3. How does Alberta’s energy sector impact wages?
Alberta’s energy-rich landscape significantly boosts wages, especially in support activities for mining and oil & gas, contributing to higher-than-average earnings across technical and engineering roles.

Source:

Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0206-01  Average hourly earnings for employees paid by the hour, by industry, annual