How to become a heavy equipment operator in Quebec and what is the salary?

"Heavy equipment operator" is not a single trade at the Commission de la construction du Québec: the CCQ qualifies one machine class per trade — excavator operator (classes AA, A and B), grader operator, tractor operator (classes A, AA and B), spreader operator, roller operator (classes A and B), backhoe operator, and so on. Each of these classes has a single apprenticeship period (trade list in the CCQ "Wage rates" tool, query of October 18, 2026).

Pathway:

• Competency certificate for the target class (CCQ): the CCQ issues the certificate after that class's qualification exam — 3 hours, 60 questions (61 for excavators), 60% passing grade (information sheets "Opérateur de pelles mécaniques" and "Opérateur de niveleuses (opérateur d'équipement lourd)", CCQ, consulted October 18, 2026)

Hourly rates (CCQ, civil engineering and roads sector, "general rule: work between 6:00 and 18:30" annex, regular rate, query of October 18, 2026):

• Excavator operator, class A: apprentice $42.08/h, journeyman $49.51/h
• Grader, tractor (class A), spreader or roller (class A) operator: apprentice $39.59/h, journeyman $46.58/h

Rates vary by machine class, work sector and shift; the CCQ publishes them in its "Wage rates" tool.