Job prospects Excavating Machine Operator in Alberta

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "excavating machine operator" in Alberta or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Alberta

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

Good

The employment outlook will be good for Heavy equipment operators (NOC 73400) in Alberta for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

  • Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
  • A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
  • There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Here are some key facts about Heavy equipment operators in Alberta:

  • Approximately 15,300 people work in this occupation.
  • Heavy equipment operators mainly work in the following sectors:
    • Construction (NAICS 23): 51%
    • Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 19%
    • Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 6%
    • Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 5%
  • 41% of heavy equipment operators work all year, while 59% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 38 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
  • 5% of heavy equipment operators are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
  • The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
    • Men: 91% compared to 53% for all occupations
    • Women: 9% compared to 47% for all occupations
  • The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
    • no high school diploma: 26% compared to 10% for all occupations
    • high school diploma or equivalent: 47% compared to 28% for all occupations
    • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 17% compared to 13% for all occupations
    • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 8% compared to 19% for all occupations
    • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 21% for all occupations
    • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Alberta by economic region.

Legend

0 out of 5 stars
Undetermined
1 out of 5 stars
Very limited
2 out of 5 stars
Limited
3 out of 5 stars
Moderate
4 out of 5 stars
Good
5 out of 5 stars
Very good
Location Job prospects
Athabasca–Grande Prairie–Peace River Region Moderate
Banff–Jasper–Rocky Mountain House Region Moderate
Calgary Region Good
Camrose–Drumheller Region Good
Edmonton Region Moderate
Lethbridge–Medicine Hat Region Good
Red Deer Region Moderate
Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake Region Moderate

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "excavating machine operator" Heavy equipment operators (except crane) (NOC 73400) or across Canada.

Learn more

Labour Market Information Survey
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