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Agricultural Mechanic, Equipment and Appliance Service Trades, Farm Equipment Mechanic, Mechanic, Service Technician
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in precision working with hand and power tools to adjust equipment and repair and replace defective parts, components and systems
Interest in cleaning, lubricating and performing other routine maintenance work, and in servicing attachments and working tools such as harvesting and tillage equipment, blades, ploughs, winches and side booms
Interest in analyzing to diagnose faults and malfunctions, using computerized and other testing equipment, to determine extent of repair required
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Duties vary from one position to another but, in general, agricultural equipment technicians:
Technicians may specialize in service and repair of fuel injection pumps and injectors, engine overhaul, hydraulic systems, power shift transmissions or specific types of equipment (for example, combines, forage harvesters, tractors). They may also install precision farm technologies such as automated steering systems.
Agricultural equipment technicians may work in fully equipped service centres or they may travel to farms to make service calls. Hours of work vary from regular hours during the winter to long and essential hours during planting and harvesting seasons.
Agricultural equipment technicians routinely handle heavy machine parts.
Agricultural equipment technicians need:
They should enjoy working with their hands and diagnosing complex mechanical, hydraulic and electrical problems.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Apr 28, 2022 and May 26, 2022.
Review these skills to learn:
| Adjust equipment and repair or replace defective parts | 85 |
|---|---|
| Test repaired equipment for proper performance and to ensure that work meets manufacturers' specifications | 79 |
| Troubleshoot and inspect equipment to detect faults and malfunctions | 78 |
| Diagnose faults or malfunctions using computerized and other testing equipment to determine extent of repair required | 77 |
| Clean, lubricate and perform other maintenance work | 75 |
| Service attachments and working tools | 61 |
| Keep maintenance reports and documentation | 60 |
| Verify and repair emission control systems | 56 |
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 55 |
| Health benefits: Dental plan | 55 |
Apprentices need experience in the agriculture industry and must keep up to date with new developments in the agricultural equipment field. They need to have a valid driver’s license.
To work in Alberta, an agricultural equipment technician must be ONE of the following:
To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them. They must also meet ONE of the following:
The term of apprenticeship is 4 years (four 12-month periods) that include a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for admission, credit, or certification. Credits may reduce the period of apprenticeship.
Agricultural equipment technician apprentices may take the interprovincial exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training to earn a Red Seal (certification recognized in most parts of Canada).
Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. For more information, see the Apprenticeship Training Catalogue.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Agricultural equipment technicians repair, overhaul and maintain agricultural equipment including tractors, tillage equipment, seeding equipment and harvesting equipment. For more information, see the Trades and Occupations section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.
Under Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act [pdf] and Agricultural Equipment Technician Trade Regulation [pdf], you do not have to be certified if you are self-employed or work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. To learn the trade, you must become a registered apprentice.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Agricultural Equipment Technician.
Certified tradespeople who want to build their business skills may obtain an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Most agricultural equipment technicians are employed by retail agricultural equipment dealerships.
Where a number of technicians are employed by one business, experienced agricultural equipment technicians may advance to supervisory positions.
Agricultural equipment technicians can move into sales positions or become manufacturer’s service representatives. Individuals with business and administrative skills may move into management positions with a company or purchase an agricultural equipment dealership.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 7312: Heavy-duty equipment mechanics occupational group, 78.8% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 7312: Heavy-duty equipment mechanics occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 272 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Journeyperson agricultural equipment technicians wage rates vary but generally range from $30 to $45 an hour plus benefits (2019 estimates) depending on the region. Apprentices earn at least 60% of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 70% in the second, 80% in the third and 90% in the fourth.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $46.87 | $29.78 | $28.85 |
| Overall | $27.00 | $51.47 | $38.92 | $40.00 |
| Top | $34.50 | $57.95 | $46.27 | $45.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $92,395 |
|---|---|
| Mining | $85,312 |
| Public Administration | $84,427 |
| Construction | $83,721 |
| Manufacturing | $83,340 |
| Forestry, Logging, Fishing and Hunting | $82,933 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $82,864 |
| Wholesale Trade | $82,811 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $81,068 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $80,635 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $79,392 |
| Retail Trade | $77,065 |
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $75,906 |
| Agriculture | $71,418 |
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
