Job prospects Oyster Picker in British Columbia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "oyster picker" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

These outlooks were updated on November 29^th, 2023. Learn more about outlooks.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be very limited for Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers (NOC 85102) in British Columbia for the 2023-2025 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 several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

• Growth in this profession will be minimal as British Columbia's fishing industry is currently experiencing decline in certain areas. The decision by the federal government to phase out open-net salmon fishing farms may contribute to changes in demand for this occupation.

Here are some key facts about Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers in British Columbia:

• Approximately 500 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Agriculture (NAICS 111, 112, 1151, 1152): 78%
  • Food, beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (NAICS 311, 312): 8%
  • Fishing, hunting and trapping (NAICS 114): 7%
  • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 7%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 85% compared to 78% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 15% compared to 22% for all occupations
• 45% of aquaculture and marine harvest labourers work all year, while 55% 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 36 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• 12% of aquaculture and marine harvest labourers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 74% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 26% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 28% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 45% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 8% 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: 9% 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