Job prospects Backhoe Operator in Alberta

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "backhoe operator" in Alberta or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Alberta

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be limited for Heavy equipment operators (NOC 73400) in Alberta for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few 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.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

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

Learn more