Automotive Mechanic in Canada: Job Profile and Salaries

A warning light comes on, a noise when braking, an engine that hesitates at start-up. For most drivers, it's a source of worry. For a mechanic, it's the start of an investigation. And contrary to popular belief, the job is less about swapping parts than figuring out why they failed.

A diagnostic trade

Inspect, test, repair, then check that everything works: an automotive mechanic's day alternates between routine maintenance and troubleshooting. Explaining the work to customers is part of the job too, at dealerships and independent garages alike.

Before getting into it, the right question is not just "Do I like cars?" but rather: "Do I enjoy investigating, measuring and starting over when my first hypothesis doesn't hold up?"

From DEP to certificate of competency

In Quebec, the classic entry point is the DEP in automotive mechanics (program 5298), which runs 1,800 hours. But the diploma isn't everything. In the pathway described by CPA Montréal (in French), apprenticeship consists of three 2,000-hour periods, or 6,000 hours under a journeyperson's supervision, before the qualification exam. Rules vary by territory and province, so check with the relevant body before accepting a job.

How much does a mechanic earn in Quebec?

Canada Motor Jobs' 2025 salary estimates, based on collective agreements and its job platform statistics, give these gross annual ranges for a journeyperson mechanic:

Region	1 to 2 years	3 to 5 years	6 years or more
Greater Montreal area	$74,000–$79,000	$83,000–$86,000	$89,000–$91,000
Greater Quebec City area	$69,560–$74,260	$78,020–$80,840	$83,660–$85,540
Laurentides–Lanaudière	$69,560–$74,260	$78,020–$80,840	$83,660–$85,540
Gatineau / Outaouais	$68,080–$72,680	$76,360–$79,120	$81,880–$83,720
Sherbrooke / Estrie	$65,860–$70,310	$73,870–$76,540	$79,210–$80,990
Drummondville / Centre-du-Québec	$65,120–$69,520	$73,040–$75,680	$78,320–$80,080
Trois-Rivières / Mauricie	$64,380–$68,730	$72,210–$74,820	$77,430–$79,170
Victoriaville / Bois-Francs	$62,900–$67,150	$70,550–$73,100	$75,650–$77,350

These are benchmarks, not guaranteed earnings. Nationally, Job Bank reports a median wage of $29.89 an hour (2023–2024 data, updated November 19, 2025), for a group that also includes truck and bus mechanics.

To see what shops are actually offering today, mechanic jobs on Canada Motor Jobs and listings on Emplois Auto Québec let you compare pay, schedules and benefits from one region to another.

Electric: an add-on, not a revolution

The fleet is still largely gas-powered. According to Statistics Canada, 27.6 million vehicles were registered in Canada in 2025, and electric vehicles, hybrids included, accounted for 6.5% of light-duty vehicles. EV training adds to mechanical skills without replacing them, and it requires sound safety practices around high voltage.

Choosing your shop

Before signing, clarify the pay structure: hourly, flat rate or a mix. Ask how diagnostic time, training and slow periods are paid, and who supplies the tools. Putting two offers side by side, in writing, avoids a lot of disappointment.

FAQ

How much does an apprentice mechanic earn in Quebec?

According to Canada Motor Jobs' 2025 estimates, an apprentice with one to two years of experience earns $50,000 to $54,000 in the greater Montreal area, $47,000 to $50,760 in the Quebec City area and $43,500 to $46,980 in Mauricie.

Can you earn more than $100,000?

Not as a journeyperson mechanic, according to these estimates. However, an experienced Montreal shop foreman can aim for $100,000 to $110,000. That is a different role, with different responsibilities.

What is the Red Seal for?

The Red Seal endorsement certifies skills against a national standard and makes it easier to work in other provinces.

Choosing mechanics means choosing a hands-on trade, sought after in several provinces, where experience pays. The rest comes down to choosing the right shop.