Non-commissioned · Army
Materials Technician
Training information checked 2026-09-15: Official training source. Basic training, waiting periods and individual entry conditions may add time.
Civilian pathways are a guide, not a licence guarantee. Entry route, province and regulator affect recognition; confirm required education, registration and exams with the relevant authority.
What the listing leaves outRoughly a year at the Canadian Forces School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering in Borden, then about 18 months on the job. This is the shop that fabricates and repairs rather than swapping parts: welding, machining, sheet metal, refinishing, textiles and composites. Later courses add non-destructive testing, military bridging inspection and sea container inspection.Source · checked 2026-09-07
What the job involves
Materials Technicians experience the unique adventures and challenges that come with working in different environments. Materials Technicians are employed at bases and stations across Canada and on deployed operations around the world…
Getting in
No previous work experience or career related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation. The minimum required education to…
Training
Materials Technicians attend the Canadian Forces School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering in Borden, Ontario for about a year. Using a combination of instruction, demonstrations and practical…
Civilian equivalent
General Welder Millwright Tool-and-Die Maker Sheet-Metal Worker Auto Body Repair Technician
Equipment this trade works with
Where you serve
What it pays
You enrol at Private (Basic) and move up on qualification. Increments inside a rank are annual, so the top of a range is what someone earns after several years at that rank rather than on reaching it.
| NATO | Rank | Monthly pay |
|---|---|---|
| OR-2 | Private (Basic) Pte(B) · where you start | $4,337 |
| OR-3 | Private (Trained) Pte(T) | $4,987 – $5,994 |
| OR-4 | Corporal Cpl | $6,858 – $7,337 |
| OR-4 | Master Corporal MCpl | $7,118 – $7,841 |
| OR-6 | Sergeant Sgt | $7,959 – $8,340 |
| OR-7 | Warrant Officer WO | $8,694 – $8,997 |
| OR-8 | Master Warrant Officer MWO | $9,668 – $10,057 |
| OR-9 | Chief Warrant Officer CWO | $10,562 – $13,410 |
Regular Force monthly salary, effective 2025-04-01. Not official — confirm current rates with canada.ca.
Full listing on forces.ca
The description above is a short excerpt of the official Government of Canada listing, which is the authority on entry requirements and training.
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