Job prospects Welder-fitter in New Brunswick

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "welder-fitter" in New Brunswick or across Canada.

Job opportunities in New Brunswick

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 Moderate for welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
• High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.
• Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities tend to be more favourable during the summer months.

• Welders and related machine operators are employed predominantly for companies that provide or require repair and maintenance of vehicles and equipment, as well as the manufacturing sector for metal, and machinery production.
• The high level of construction activity in the province and the resulting demand for metal building materials is expected to support demand for this occupation going forward. 
• Welders are usually required to complete a welding apprenticeship program or a college diploma in welding or metal fabrication. A Red Seal endorsement or Journeyperson Certification will further enhance prospects.
• Workers in this occupation are often required to travel between job sites, so a valid driver's license is a common requirement in job postings.

Here are some key facts about welders and related machine operators in New Brunswick:

• Approximately 2,100 people work in this occupation.
• Welders and related machine operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Repair and maintenance (NAICS 811): 26%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 19%
  • Machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333): 12%
  • Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 8%
• 54% of welders and related machine operators work all year, while 46% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% 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.
• 6% of welders and related machine operators are self-employed compared to an average of 10% 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: 6% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 11% compared to 30% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 46% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 37% compared to 23% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 16% 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 New Brunswick by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

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