Job prospects Welder-fitter in Saskatchewan

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

Job opportunities in Saskatchewan

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 Saskatchewan 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.

• Ongoing trade conflict may limit employment opportunities for this occupation as 42 percent are employed in the fabricated metal product and machinery manufacturing sector which is exposed to U.S. tariffs on copper, steel and aluminum.
• Strong residential projects and multiple large non-residential projects across Saskatchewan such as the Jansen potash project and the Lake Diefenbaker irrigation project should support employment in this occupation. 
• Ongoing activities to repair and upgrade existing buildings and infrastructure and service equipment.

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

• Approximately 4,700 people work in this occupation.
• Welders and related machine operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Repair and maintenance (NAICS 811): 26%
  • Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 16%
  • Machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333): 16%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 10%
• 64% of welders and related machine operators work all year, while 36% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 16% of welders and related machine operators are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: more than 95% compared to 53% for all occupations
  • Women: less than 5% compared to 47% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 9% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 20% compared to 33% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 55% compared to 15% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 12% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 18% 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 Saskatchewan by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

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