Job prospects Farm Machinery Operator in British Columbia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "farm machinery operator" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be limited for Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators (NOC 84120) 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.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

• Employment in forestry related professions has been declining year-over-year, with significant fluctuations month-to-month. A number of curtailments at wood manufacturing facilities has lowered demand for these occupations. The industry continues to face a number of challenges that will continue to inhibit stable job growth.

Here are some key facts about Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators in British Columbia:

• Approximately 1,800 people work in this occupation.
• Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Agriculture (NAICS 111, 112, 1151, 1152): 75%
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 7%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 74% compared to 78% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 26% compared to 22% for all occupations
• 46% of specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators work all year, while 54% 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.
• 17% of specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 61% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 39% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 31% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 42% 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: 8% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 8% 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

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "farm machinery operator" in British Columbia or across Canada.

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