Job prospects Driller, Construction in British Columbia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "driller, construction" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

The recent trends from the past 3 years were updated on July 25, 2025. The job outlooks over the next 3 years were updated on December 10, 2025.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be Limited for drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction (NOC 73402) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 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 several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

British Columbia has extensive mineral reserves and key projects targeting essential metals and minerals; the growth of the mining sector is driven by demand for critical minerals that are essential for electric vehicles (EVs) and green technologies (such as lithium and copper) and the price of precious metals (such as gold). 

Over the forecast period from 2025 to 2027, uncertainty related to international trade policies could influence growth in the province's mining industry; in response, both the federal and provincial governments are seeking to fast-track major mining projects to mitigate these challenges. 

Looking ahead, new mining projects in the North Coast/Nechako, Kootenay, and Thompson-Okanagan economic regions could begin operations later in the forecast period (2027).

Here are some key facts about drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction in British Columbia:

• Approximately 700 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 57%
  • Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 27%
  • Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 8%
• 47% of drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction work all year, while 53% 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 40 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 20% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 43% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 26% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 9% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in British Columbia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

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