Factory and manufacturing jobs remain a common option for workers seeking employment in Canada. These roles can include packaging, production-line work, material handling, cleaning, food processing, machine assistance, and general manufacturing duties.
Canada’s Job Bank currently lists factory laborer roles under NOC 95109, covering laborers in processing, manufacturing, and utilities. The occupation typically involves on-the-job training and usually does not require formal education.
Canada Factory Worker Salary in 2026
Factory wages vary by province, employer, shift, and industry.
Canada’s Job Bank currently reports the following national wage range for factory laborers in manufacturing:
- Low: C$16.50 per hour
- Median: C$20.00 per hour
- High: C$25.40 per hour
These wage figures were updated in November 2025 and are based on recent labor-market data, so treat them as salary benchmarks rather than guaranteed job offers.
Food Processing Factory Jobs
Workers in food and beverage processing also have a national median wage of about C$20 per hour. These jobs can include packaging, material handling, cleanup, and production work in bakeries, dairies, meat plants, fruit-processing facilities, and other food factories.
Requirements for Factory Worker Jobs
Many entry-level factory positions do not require a university degree.
Typical employer requirements may include:
- Ability to perform physical work
- Standing for long periods
- Lifting and moving materials
- Following workplace safety rules
- Ability to work shifts
- Basic communication skills
- Previous factory experience may be preferred.
Job Bank states that factory laborer roles usually require short-term work experience and on-the-job training rather than formal education.
Can Foreign Workers Apply?
Yes, but being qualified for a factory job does not automatically give someone permission to work in Canada.
Most foreign nationals need a Canadian work permit. Canada offers employer-specific work permits and open work permits for people who qualify under specific programs.
For many employer-sponsored factory positions, the employer may need a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before the worker can apply.
What Is an LMIA?
An LMIA assesses whether hiring a temporary foreign worker will affect Canada’s labor market.
For Temporary Foreign Worker Program positions, employers may need to apply under either the high-wage or low-wage stream depending on the wage offered and the applicable provincial or territorial threshold. Canada updated these wage thresholds in July 2026.
For low-wage positions, employers generally need an approved LMIA before hiring a foreign worker through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Canada Factory Worker Visa Process
1. Find a Genuine Factory Job
Search for employers that are willing and legally able to hire international workers.
Job Bank currently shows hundreds of factory labourer/manufacturing vacancies across Canada, although not every posting is open to applicants outside Canada.
2. Employer Completes the LMIA Process
If the position requires an LMIA, the employer applies for it.
Once approved, the employer provides the worker with the necessary employment documents.
3. Apply for a Work Permit
The worker can then submit a work-permit application through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Common documents can include:
- Valid passport
- Job offer
- Employment contract
- LMIA information when required
- Work experience documents
- Medical examination if required
- Biometrics where applicable
IRCC provides applicants with a personalized document checklist during the online application.
Canada Work Permit Fees
The standard Canadian work-permit processing fee is currently C$155.
If biometrics are required, the fee is C$85 per person. Applicants eligible for an open work permit normally pay an additional C$100 open-work-permit holder fee.
Where to Find Factory Jobs in Canada
Canada’s official Job Bank is a useful place to start.
Current postings include jobs such as:
- Factory labourer
- General manufacturing laborer
- Packaging worker
- Food processing laborer
- Production worker
- Factory maintenance worker
Recent Job Bank results show factory laborer vacancies in provinces including Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and others.
Foreign applicants should specifically check whether the employer accepts candidates who are not already authorized to work in Canada.
Avoid Factory Job Scams
Be careful with recruiters promising:
- Guaranteed Canadian work visas
- Guaranteed LMIA approval
- Guaranteed factory jobs
- Visa approval without proper documentation
A job offer alone does not guarantee a work permit. Canadian authorities make immigration decisions.
Always verify the employer, salary, workplace location, LMIA requirements, and contract before paying anyone.
Final Thoughts
Canada factory worker jobs in 2026 can be an option for foreign workers interested in manufacturing, packaging, food processing, and production work.
The national median wage for factory laborers is currently around C$20 per hour, and many entry-level roles require no formal education.
For overseas applicants, the key steps are finding a genuine employer, confirming whether an LMIA is required, and applying for the correct Canadian work permit through official immigration channels.
