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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:
| Starting | $25.98 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $31.36 |
| Top | $34.45 |
Interest in supervising and hiring farm workers; and in determining amounts and kinds of crops to be grown and livestock to be raised, and in purchasing farm machinery, livestock, seed, feed and other supplies
Interest in co-ordinating information to plant, cultivate and harvest crops; and in raising and breeding livestock and poultry
Interest in driving - operating and maintaining farm machinery, equipment and buildings
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 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.
Beekeeping duties vary with the seasons but, 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 and 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.
Beekeepers need:
They should enjoy:
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 of all Alberta high schools. Various specializations, 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 specialization 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.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
To use some pesticides, beekeepers must hold a pesticide applicator certificate. Completion of the Farmer Pesticide Training Certificate course through the Government of Alberta is recommended.
Large beekeeping operations often employ 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 considerable capital investment in addition to the cost of land. Anyone who has bees must register their hives annually with the Government of Alberta.
Beekeepers that have 100 or more hives can become an eligible producer with the Alberta Beekeepers Commission.
Beekeepers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 0821: Managers in agriculture. In Alberta, 97% of people employed in this classification work in the Agricultural [pdf] industry.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $50.00 | $25.98 | $23.00 |
| Overall | $19.04 | $57.69 | $31.36 | $28.85 |
| Top | $20.81 | $61.20 | $34.45 | $31.67 |
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.
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.
| Public Administration | $83,777 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $70,992 |
| Agriculture | $69,863 |
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry website: www.agric.gov.ab.ca
Alberta Beekeepers website: www.albertabeekeepers.org
Canadian Honey Council website: honeycouncil.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Dec 31, 2018. 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.