Generator and standby power technicians install, commission, maintain, diagnose, and repair standby and emergency power generation systems, diesel and natural gas gensets, alternators, automatic transfer switches, and engine and electrical controls, for commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential standby power. The work is field-service based, often on-call 24/7 for emergency outages, and combines engine (mechanical) and electrical and controls skills. It is a skilled, decently-paid trade, and this guide sets out what it pays.
The official wage band
Job Bank classifies generator repairers under NOC 72422, Electrical mechanics (electric motor system technician). These are the official hourly wages for that occupation in Canada, low to high, updated November 19, 2025.
| Level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| Low | $24.00 |
| Median | $31.00 |
| High | $43.00 |
The high end reflects experienced technicians with trade certification and in-demand engine and controls skill. The lower end reflects technicians still training toward certification.
What current postings pay
The official band trails the live market. Current generator technician postings show roughly $28 to $45 per hour, with the top of that range going to Red Seal certified technicians and specialists on 24/7 emergency standby work for critical facilities. Field-service pay is also lifted by on-call premiums, overtime, and a service vehicle.
What lifts your pay
- Trade certification with a Red Seal endorsement (electric motor system technician, or industrial mechanic / millwright)
- EGSA (Electrical Generating Systems Association) certification, valued across the industry
- Diesel and natural gas genset diagnosis, alternator and transfer-switch work, and engine and electrical controls
- Emergency and on-call standby service for hospitals, data centres, and telecom, where overtime concentrates
Reading the ranges
This is a skilled trade entered through either the electric motor system technician path or the industrial mechanic (millwright) path, both with Red Seal available. Newer technicians sit near the floor while they train and certify. Certified technicians with strong engine and controls diagnosis, and EGSA credentials, sit toward the ceiling, especially where 24/7 emergency response is part of the role.
Sources: Job Bank Canada wage data (NOC 72422, updated November 19, 2025), current job-posting ranges, and the Electrical Generating Systems Association (EGSA).
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