Job prospects Excavator Operator in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "excavator operator" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Heavy equipment operators (NOC 73400) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 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.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Most work in the construction industry as site preparation contractors, in highway, street and bridge, and building and utility system construction
• A smaller number work in manufacturing, mining, municipal government, and waste management

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Construction activity is expected to be favourable across Ontario over the forecast period, led by large infrastructure investments in transit, power generation, and highways and bridges
• Steady demand for housing to meet population growth including multi-unit buildings in larger urban centres
• Investments in industrial projects, and improved commercial construction
• Expenditures in mining

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• There are three voluntary skilled trades associated with this occupation in Ontario, named, Heavy Equipment Operator – Dozer, Heavy Equipment Operator – Excavator, and Heavy Equipment Operator – Tractor Loader Backhoe.

Here are some key facts about Heavy equipment operators in Ontario:

• Approximately 25,550 people work in this occupation.
• Heavy equipment operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 62%
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 7%
  • Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 7%
• 55% of heavy equipment operators work all year, while 45% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 43 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: 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: 24% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 43% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 21% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 11% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario 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 an "excavator operator" Heavy equipment operators (except crane) (NOC 73400) or across Canada.

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