Job outlooks for Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators
Discover the employment prospects for your dream job across Canada, or compare different occupations.
Occupation
formation fracturing operator (84101)
Location
All regions across Canada
Did you know? You can visit the Open Government Portal to search through and download our Employment Outlooks data all in one place. There, you will find current and previous versions of our 3-Year Employment Outlooks reports for the periods of 2013-2015 to 2025-2027. View the dataset on the Open Government Portal.
These outlooks were updated on December 10, 2025.
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Newfoundland and LabradorUndetermined
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Regional outlooks
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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Prince Edward IslandUndetermined
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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Nova ScotiaUndetermined
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Regional outlooks
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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New BrunswickUndetermined
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Regional outlooks
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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QuebecUndetermined
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Regional outlooks
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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OntarioUndetermined
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Regional outlooks
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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ManitobaVery limited
The employment outlook will be Very limited for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
- Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in Manitoba:
- Approximately 100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 61%
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 39%
- 50% of oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators work all year, while 50% 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 38 weeks compared to 43 weeks 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: 23% compared to 12% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 50% compared to 31% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 17% for all occupations
- bachelor's degree: n/a
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Regional outlooks
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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SaskatchewanModerate
The employment outlook will be Moderate for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
- Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in Saskatchewan:
- Approximately 600 people work in this occupation.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 48%
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 35%
- 55% of oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators work all year, while 45% 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 40 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
- 14% of oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services 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: 20% compared to 11% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 51% compared to 33% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 16% 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
Regional outlooks
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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The employment outlook will be Moderate for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in the Regina - Moose Mountain region for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
- Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in the Regina - Moose Mountain region:
- Approximately 240 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 46%
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 37%
- Construction (NAICS 23): 6%
- Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 6%
- Professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 54): 5%
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The employment outlook will be Good for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in the Saskatoon - Biggar region for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
- Several positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in the Saskatoon - Biggar region:
- Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 49%
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 38%
- Transportation and warehousing (NAICS 48-49): 13%
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The employment outlook will be Very good for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in the Swift Current - Moose Jaw region for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
- Several positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in the Swift Current - Moose Jaw region:
- Approximately 90 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 54%
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 46%
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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AlbertaModerate
The employment outlook will be Moderate for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
- Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in Alberta:
- Approximately 3,000 people work in this occupation.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 44%
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 38%
- Construction (NAICS 23): 5%
- 44% of oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators work all year, while 56% 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 39 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
- 9% of oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators are self-employed compared to an average of 15% 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: 14% compared to 10% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 49% compared to 28% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 19% compared to 13% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 13% 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
Regional outlooks
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The employment outlook will be Limited for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in the Athabasca - Grande Prairie - Peace River region for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment decline will lead to the loss of some 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.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in the Athabasca - Grande Prairie - Peace River region:
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 52%
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 38%
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The employment outlook will be Limited for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in the Banff - Jasper - Rocky Mountain House region for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment decline will lead to the loss of some 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.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in the Banff - Jasper - Rocky Mountain House region:
- Approximately 1,080 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 52%
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 38%
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The employment outlook will be Limited for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in the Calgary region for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
- Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in the Calgary region:
- Approximately 370 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 54%
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 31%
- Utilities (NAICS 22): 6%
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The employment outlook will be Moderate for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in the Camrose - Drumheller region for the 2025-2027 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 a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in the Camrose - Drumheller region:
- Approximately 290 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 56%
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 38%
- Construction (NAICS 23): 6%
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The employment outlook will be Limited for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in the Edmonton region for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
- 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 oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in the Edmonton region:
- Approximately 890 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 44%
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 32%
- Construction (NAICS 23): 9%
- Transportation and warehousing (NAICS 48-49): 6%
- Professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 54): 5%
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The employment outlook will be Limited for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in the Lethbridge - Medicine Hat region for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
- Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in the Lethbridge - Medicine Hat region:
- Approximately 420 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 61%
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 28%
- Construction (NAICS 23): 7%
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The employment outlook will be Limited for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in the Red Deer region for the 2025-2027 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 oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in the Red Deer region:
- Approximately 560 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 66%
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 24%
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The employment outlook will be Moderate for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in the Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake region for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
- Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in the Wood Buffalo - Cold Lake region:
- Approximately 400 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 64%
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 26%
- Professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 54): 6%
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British ColumbiaLimited
The employment outlook will be Limited for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) 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.
- Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
The start-up and expansion of LNG Canada and other LNG facilities may create new drilling opportunities in the Montney natural gas-producing region of northeast British Columbia
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in British Columbia:
- Approximately 450 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 50%
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 33%
- Construction (NAICS 23): 9%
- 38% of oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators work all year, while 62% 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 37 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
- 7% of oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: 93% compared to 52% for all occupations
- Women: 7% compared to 48% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: 17% compared to 8% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 47% compared to 28% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 23% compared to 13% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 10% 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
Regional outlooks
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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The employment outlook will be Limited for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in the Northeast region 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 a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in the Northeast region:
- Approximately 200 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 52%
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 28%
- Construction (NAICS 23): 13%
- Transportation and warehousing (NAICS 48-49): 5%
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The employment outlook will be Limited for oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators (NOC 84101) in the Thompson - Okanagan region for the 2025-2027 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 oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators in the Thompson - Okanagan region:
- Approximately 110 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators mainly work in the following sectors:
- Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 78%
- Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211, 213): 11%
- Construction (NAICS 23): 10%
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An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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Yukon TerritoryUndetermined
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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Northwest TerritoriesUndetermined
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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NunavutUndetermined
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Related links
Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) - Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
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