Diploma Salary Canada: How Much Do Diploma Holders Earn in Canada?

When you finish a diploma, a focused, career-specific training program that usually takes one to three years to complete. Also known as vocational certificate, it prepares you for hands-on jobs without needing a four-year degree. In Canada, these programs open doors to well-paying roles in fields like electrical work, plumbing, IT support, dental assisting, and early childhood education. Unlike degrees that focus on theory, diplomas teach you what you actually do on the job—and employers in Canada pay for that practical skill.

How much you earn depends on three things: your field, where you live, and how much experience you have. For example, a diploma in electrical technology, a common path to becoming a licensed electrician can lead to $30–$45 an hour in cities like Toronto or Vancouver. A diploma in dental hygiene, a high-demand healthcare role often starts at $35/hour and climbs to $50+ with experience. Even in smaller towns, trades like plumbing, a trade that requires certification after diploma training pay over $30/hour because there’s a shortage of skilled workers. The Canadian government tracks these gaps—and they’re actively hiring people with diplomas in these areas.

You don’t need to be in a big city to make good money. Alberta’s oil and gas regions, Saskatchewan’s mining towns, and even rural Ontario pay premiums for skilled tradespeople with diplomas. Some programs even include paid apprenticeships, so you earn while you learn. And unlike student loans for university, most diploma programs cost under $10,000 total—meaning you can pay them off fast and start building savings sooner.

What you’ll find below are real examples of what people with diplomas earn across Canada. We’ve pulled data from actual job postings, government labor reports, and worker surveys—not guesses or averages. You’ll see how much electricians, IT support staff, dental assistants, and other diploma holders make in different provinces. You’ll also find out which skills are in highest demand right now, and how to position yourself for the best pay. No fluff. Just what you need to know before you choose your next step.