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Apiarist, Farmer
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.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Beekeeping duties vary with the seasons. In general, beekeepers:
In winter, beekeepers regularly check over-wintering colonies. They maintain and build hive boxes and equipment in preparation for spring and must follow food safety and biosecurity guidelines and regulations when harvesting and processing hive products.
In large-scale commercial operations, depending on years of experience, beekeepers may have varying responsibilities. For example:
Beekeepers are busiest in spring, summer, and fall. They work long hours in the summer. In winter, they may average 20 hours or less per week in an established operation. They work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Beekeepers work outside in all kinds of weather. Although automation and mechanization have helped, the work is often repetitive and physically demanding, and requires lifting heavy items.
Beekeepers must follow safety guidelines and wear protective clothing to avoid injury to themselves or others when working with machinery, tools, and hives. Hygiene practices must be followed to prevent or control the spread of diseases from hive to hive and the contamination of hive products.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Managers in agriculture
2023 OaSIS: 80020.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Beekeepers need:
They should enjoy:
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.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 46 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 04, 2021 and Sep 08, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Equipment and Machinery Experience: Truck | 26 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Maintain farm machinery, equipment and buildings | 26 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 24 |
| Tasks: Perform general farm duties | 24 |
| Equipment and Machinery Experience: Tractor | 23 |
| Attention to detail | 23 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 21 |
| Work Setting: Rural area | 21 |
| Computer Systems: Valid driver's licence | 20 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 20 |
Beekeepers must have knowledge about:
Some employers prefer to hire applicants who have:
Inexperienced beekeepers should gain experience by working with established beekeepers. Anyone who has bees must register their hives annually with the Government of Alberta.
The Government of Alberta offers the Green Certificate Program. The program provides apprenticeship-style training. It combines hands-on farm mentorship with formal education.
The program is free and available to students at all Alberta high schools. Various specialties, such as beekeeping, are offered at each level. Graduates of the Level I Green Certificate Program are certified as farm production technicians. They may earn credits toward their high school diploma for each specialty they complete. Level II (farm production supervisor) and III (agribusiness manager) Green Certificates are also available. They are meant for people interested in a career in agriculture.
To participate in the Green Certificate Program, trainees must be at least 15 years of age and in grade 10, 11, or 12. The training takes about a year. That allows trainees to experience all 4 seasons on a farm.
For more information on registration requirements and other details, students may visit the Green Certificate Program website or ask their guidance counsellor.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
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.
To use some pesticides, beekeepers must hold a pesticide applicator certificate. Completion of the Farmer Pesticide Certificate course through the Government of Alberta is recommended.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Large beekeeping operations often hire beekeeping assistants (apiary harvesters and workers) over the summer months. Some employ assistants year-round. There is considerable demand for beekeeping assistants in Alberta due to a growing demand for hives to pollinate seed canola in southern Alberta.
Beekeepers may start their own businesses or buy an established apiary. Setting up a commercial beekeeping business requires a large capital investment. This is in addition to the cost of land. Anyone who has bees must register their hives annually with the Government of Alberta.
Beekeepers who have 100 or more hives are eligible to become producers with the Alberta Beekeepers Commission.
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.
Managers in agriculture
2016 NOC: 0821
95.7% of people in this occupational group work in:
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 examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
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 examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
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 examples, see Note.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 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.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.50 | $57.69 | $31.69 | $31.60 |
| Overall | $19.75 | $57.69 | $37.12 | $35.41 |
| Top | $26.71 | $68.68 | $48.78 | $48.46 |
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
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $76,919 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | $78,707 |
| Wholesale Trade | $44,338 |
| Public Administration | $103,311 |
Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation website: www.alberta.ca/agriculture-and-irrigation.aspx
Alberta Beekeepers Commission website: www.albertabeekeepers.ca
Alberta Beekeepers website: www.albertabeekeepers.com
Canadian Honey Council website: honeycouncil.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 21, 2023. 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.
