Job prospects Excavating Machine Operator in Newfoundland and Labrador

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

Job opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Heavy equipment operators (NOC 73400) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
• Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities tend to be more favourable during the summer months.

Slight gains in non-residential construction activity should result in job opportunities for this occupation. Other key contributors to expected job growth include the province's growing mining industry, and a considerable investment in road infrastructure.

Here are some key facts about Heavy equipment operators in Newfoundland and Labrador:

• Approximately 2,400 people work in this occupation.
• Heavy equipment operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 53%
  • Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 15%
  • Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 6%
  • Support activities for mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 213): 6%
• 37% of heavy equipment operators work all year, while 63% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 35 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of heavy equipment operators are self-employed compared to an average of 8% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 16% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 24% compared to 27% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 48% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 11% compared to 23% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 14% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Newfoundland and Labrador by economic region.

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