CNC Machinist Salaries in Quebec: 2026 Complete Guide

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    If you’re a manufacturer in Quebec looking to hire a CNC machinist, the first question on your mind is almost always the same: what’s this going to cost me? The answer depends on experience level, skill set, and where in Quebec your shop is located. This guide breaks it all down so you can budget accurately and hire with confidence.

    The Short Answer: Quebec CNC Machinist Salary Ranges

    Quebec sits slightly below the national average for CNC machinist compensation, which actually works in your favour as an employer – you get access to a skilled workforce at a more competitive rate than you’d pay in Ontario or British Columbia.

    Here’s what the data looks like in 2026:

    Experience LevelAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
    Entry level (0–3 years)$42,000 – $48,000$20 – $23/hr
    Intermediate (3–7 years)$50,000 – $65,000$24 – $31/hr
    Senior (8+ years)$65,000 – $80,000$31 – $38/hr
    Programmer/Specialist$70,000 – $90,000+$34 – $43/hr

    According to ERI SalaryExpert, the average CNC machinist salary in Quebec is approximately $61,325 per year, or $29/hour – about 4% below the Canadian national average. Entry-level machinists with 1-3 years of experience tend to earn around $42,000 – $45,000 annually, while senior-level professionals with 8 or more years tend to earn salaries in the $69,000 – $75,000 range.

    In Montreal specifically, the average sits around $67,510 per year ($32/hour), with a typical salary range between $48,810 and $81,012 depending on specialization and seniority.

    CNC Machinist Salary by Region in Quebec

    Not all regions pay the same. If your facility is outside the island of Montreal, here’s what to expect:

    Machinist salary in Greater Montreal (Island + South Shore + Laval)

    The largest manufacturing hub in the province. Glassdoor data from late 2025 puts the Montreal average at $49,470/year, with the typical range falling between $40,281 and $60,755 for the majority of machinists. That said, senior and specialized profiles push well above that ceiling.

    Machinist salary in Drummondville / Centre-du-Québec

    One of the most active manufacturing corridors in Quebec, with a dense concentration of precision machining shops. Drummondville salaries tend to land slightly above the provincial average, reflecting high demand and competition among local employers.

    Machinist salary in Sherbrooke / Estrie

    A growing manufacturing and industrial region. Salaries are generally in line with the provincial average, though skilled CNC programmers with multi-axis experience can negotiate above-average compensation given the thinner local talent pool.

    Machinist salary in Quebec City Region

    Strong aerospace and defence manufacturing presence, particularly around the Chaudière-Appalaches area. Machinists with tight-tolerance experience in aerospace applications tend to command a premium here.

    Machinist salary in Baie-Comeau / Alma / Saguenay

    Cities like Baie-Comeau and Alma rank among the highest-paying markets for CNC machinists in Quebec, largely due to lower candidate supply and a higher cost-of-living adjustment.

    Education & Training: What Credentials Are You Actually Hiring?

    Understanding a candidate’s educational background helps you assess not just what they know, but how quickly they’ll be productive on your floor, and what you’ll need to offer to close them.

    Machinists with no formal diploma (experience-based)

    Many skilled machinists in Quebec never pursued a formal diploma, they learned on the floor over years of hands-on work. Data shows the majority of CNC machinists hold a high school diploma as their highest level of formal education. This doesn’t mean they’re less capable, but it does mean their skills are harder to verify on paper. Expect to rely more heavily on a practical test or references.

    Machinists with DEP en Techniques d’Usinage

    The DEP (Diplôme d’études professionnelles) in machining techniques is the standard Quebec vocational diploma and the most common credential you’ll see on applications. It covers machine operation, setup, blueprint reading, measurement tools, and basic programming. Candidates with a DEP are work-ready faster and typically command a modest premium over strictly experience-based profiles at the entry-to-intermediate level.

    Machinists with an ASP en Usinage sur Machine-Outil à Commande Numérique

    The ASP (Attestation de spécialisation professionnelle) in CNC machining is a focused specialization credential on top of the DEP. Quebec job postings consistently list “DEP en techniques d’usinage with ASP CNC” as the preferred qualification for setup and programming roles. A candidate with a DEP + ASP is signalling they went beyond operator-level training and invested specifically in CNC. These profiles typically land in the mid-to-senior salary range and are competitive to hire.

    Machinists with a DEC en Techniques de Génie Mécanique

    A college-level diploma (DEC) in mechanical engineering technology is less common among machinists but signals a stronger theoretical foundation – useful in roles that blend machining with process improvement, quality, or CAM programming. Quebec’s professional standards recognize a DEC combined with five years of experience as a pathway to full machinist certification.

    Machinists with an Apprenticeship

    Quebec runs a formal apprenticeship system for CNC machinists. The apprenticeship pathway requires a DEP or equivalent plus several years of supervised experience, with options across turning, milling, cylindrical grinding, and wire EDM. Apprentices are paid at a percentage of journeyperson rate, making them a cost-effective way to grow talent internally — if you have the bandwidth to mentor.

    Certifications: What They Mean for Pay and Hiring

    CQP – Certificat de Qualification Professionnelle (Quebec)

    Quebec’s CQP is issued by the provincial government and comes in two levels for CNC machinists: régleur-opérateur (setup operator) and programmeur-régleur (programmer-setter). To qualify for the programmeur-régleur CQP, a candidate needs either 10 years of CNC experience, a DEP plus 5 years, or an ASP plus 4 years. A candidate who holds a CQP has had their skills formally validated by the province – that’s a meaningful signal.

    Red Seal (Sceau Rouge)

    The Red Seal is Canada’s interprovincial trade certification. In Quebec, Red Seal certification for machinists is available but voluntary, it is not mandatory to work in the trade. That said, the Red Seal is recognized across all provinces and territories under the title “Machinist- Conventional Machine” in Quebec, which means a Red Seal holder is portable and in-demand nationally. CNC machinists with Red Seal certification earn approximately 34% above the national average, reflecting the premium the market places on this credential. If you’re recruiting a senior machinist or lead hand, Red Seal is the benchmark.

    WHMIS

    Not a machinist-specific credential, but WHMIS certification appears as a required credential on a significant portion of Quebec machinist job postings, particularly in environments handling cutting fluids, lubricants, and industrial chemicals. Most experienced machinists hold it already.

    AS9100 / ISO 9001 Awareness

    These are quality management standards, not personal certifications, but machinists who have worked in AS9100-certified aerospace shops or ISO 9001-certified facilities are trained to a higher documentation and inspection standard. This experience is worth paying for if your operation requires it.

    Where They Work: How the Industry Sector Affects What You’ll Pay

    This is one of the most underappreciated salary drivers in manufacturing. A machinist with identical experience and credentials will command meaningfully different compensation depending on the industry they’ve been working in, and the one you’re hiring for.

    Machinists working in Aerospace (Highest pay)

    Quebec is one of the top aerospace manufacturing centres in the world, with Montreal and Laval hosting the highest concentration of CNC recruitment activity in the province (wow). Aerospace machinists work to extremely tight tolerances, often under AS9100 quality systems, with strict traceability requirements. Sectors like aerospace, which require precision machining for turbine blades and structural components, consistently drive higher-than-average machinist compensation. Expect to pay $5,000 – $12,000/year more for a machinist coming out of an aerospace background compared to a general job shop profile at the same experience level.

    Machinists working on Medical Devices

    Similar to aerospace in terms of tolerance requirements and quality documentation. Medical device manufacturers rely heavily on CNC precision for surgical instruments and implants, and machinists with this background command a premium due to the specialized skills involved. If your shop is transitioning into medical device work or already operates there, expect candidates from this sector to negotiate accordingly.

    Machinists working in Automotive / Tier 1 Suppliers

    High-volume, lower-complexity machining compared to aerospace, but strong process discipline (lean, 5S, kaizen). Machinists from automotive backgrounds are excellent for production environments but may be less comfortable in job-shop or prototype settings. Pay is typically mid-range, above general job shop and below aerospace.

    Machinists working in a General Job Shop (Most common in Quebec)

    The majority of Quebec machinists work in job shops – small to mid-sized operations doing a mix of production runs, prototypes, and repair work across industries. These machinists tend to be versatile, adaptable, and comfortable switching between setups. Pay is at or slightly below the provincial average for equivalent experience, but the talent pool is larger. This is the profile most manufacturers in Drummondville, Sherbrooke, and the South Shore are competing for.

    Machinists working in Defence & Transportation

    Growing sectors in Quebec, particularly around Quebec City and Chaudière-Appalaches. Similar premium to aerospace in terms of documentation requirements, though slightly less intense on the tolerance side. Machinists with ITAR-adjacent experience (if dealing with U.S. defence supply chains) are especially scarce.

    What Skills Drive a CNC Machinist’s Price Up?

    Not all CNC machinists are priced the same. The skills a candidate brings to the table have a significant impact on what you’ll need to offer to close the hire.

    Machine Operation (Base Level) salaries in Quebec

    Running and monitoring existing programs on mill or lathe setups. This is your entry-to-mid level profile. Expect $20–$26/hr for solid operators who can handle standard production work.

    Setup & Changeovers salaries in Quebec

    Machinists who can perform their own setups, select tooling, and adjust offsets independently are worth more. Budget $25-$32/hr for this profile.

    G-Code & Manual Programming salaries in Quebec

    The ability to write or edit G-code directly, without relying on CAM software, is a differentiator. Machinists with hands-on G-code programming skills and multi-axis machine experience consistently land at the higher end of the pay range.

    CAM Software (Mastercam, SolidWorks, Siemens NX) salaries in Quebec

    CNC Mastercam programmers in Canada earn between $21 and $46.25/hour, with Quebec profiles typically in the $28-$38/hour range. If your shop runs Mastercam and needs someone who can generate and optimize toolpaths independently, expect to pay a meaningful premium over a standard machinist rate.

    Controller Familiarity (Fanuc, Haas, Mazak, Siemens) salaries in Quebec

    Candidates experienced with your specific machine brand and controller type reduce your onboarding time significantly. Fanuc and Haas controller proficiency are among the most in-demand technical qualifications for CNC roles in Canada, and machinists who list these specifically on their profiles tend to negotiate higher offers.

    Multi-Axis Machining (3, 4, or 5-axis) salaries in Quebec

    This is where compensation jumps most sharply. A machinist capable of programming and running 5-axis work is a specialist, not a generalist. Compensation for this profile in Quebec can range from $75,000 to $90,000+ annually, especially in aerospace and medical device manufacturing contexts.

    Blueprint Reading & GD&T salaries in Quebec

    Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) is non-negotiable in precision industries. Machinists fluent in reading complex engineering drawings and working to tight tolerances command higher rates and are harder to replace.

    CNC Operator vs. CNC Machinist vs. CNC Programmer: What’s the Difference (and the Cost)?

    These three titles are often used interchangeably, but they represent meaningfully different levels of autonomy and compensation.

    What is a CNC Operator

    Loads parts, runs existing programs, and monitors production. Operators in Canada typically earn between $17.50 and $33/hour. In Quebec, expect the lower end of that band for pure production operators.

    What is a CNC Machinist

    Sets up machines, selects tooling, adjusts programs, and troubleshoots. This is the most common profile manufacturers are looking to hire, and the salary ranges referenced throughout this article apply here.

    What is a CNC Programmer

    Takes a part drawing from print to finished program, often using CAM software, without needing a setup sheet handed to them. In Quebec, CNC programmer roles average around $28.84/hour, with senior programmers with multi-axis and CAM experience pushing $35-$43/hr.

    Don’t Forget the Full Cost of Employment

    The salary is only part of the equation. When budgeting for a CNC machinist hire in Quebec, factor in:

    QPP contributions: Quebec Pension Plan employer contributions add approximately 6.4% on top of gross salary.

    QPIP & EI premiums: Quebec Parental Insurance Plan and Employment Insurance employer shares typically add another 3–4%.

    CNESST (workplace safety): Manufacturing employers in Quebec pay CNESST premiums based on risk classification. Machining operations typically fall in the medium-to-high risk bracket.

    Benefits: Extended health, dental, and life insurance packages typically add $3,000-$6,000 per employee annually.

    Shift premiums – If you run evening or night shifts, expect to add $1.50-$3.00/hr on top of base wage to fill those seats.

    When all of this is factored in, a machinist earning $28/hr in base wages costs an employer closer to $33-$35/hr in total compensation.

    What This Means

    The Quebec machinist market is competitive. Salary growth projections suggest CNC machinist compensation in Quebec are projected to increase roughly 13% over the next five years – meaning the machinists available today are going to cost more tomorrow.

    The manufacturers who get the best talent right now are the ones who move quickly, present clear offers, and don’t over-complicate the hiring process. If your job posting sits open for six weeks while you’re evaluating candidates one at a time, the profile you want has already accepted an offer elsewhere.

    At Talentive, we specialize exclusively in Quebec’s manufacturing market.
    We work closely with CNC machinists, operators, setup specialists, and programmers across Montreal, the North and South Shore, Drummondville, Sherbrooke, Terrebonne, Trois-Rivières, and beyond.

    Whether you are hiring or exploring new opportunities, we can give you a clear, real-world view of what competitive offers and market conditions look like today.

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    Stay informed on the manufacturing job market in Quebec

    Sources

    • Talentive Database
    • ERI SalaryExpert
    • Glassdoor
    • Government of Canada Job Bank (NOC 72100)
    • ZipRecruiter

    updated for late 2025-2026