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Building Operator

Building operators handle, maintain, and operate buildings that have heating, mechanical, and electrical systems.

Also Known As

Caretaker, HVAC Technician

NOC Codes

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

  • 6663: Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents
  • 7351: Stationary Engineers and Auxiliary Equipment Operators

2006 NOC-S

  • G933: Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents
  • H221: Stationary Engineers and Auxiliary Equipment Operators

2011 NOC

  • 6733: Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents
  • 9241: Power engineers and power systems operators

2016 NOC

  • 6733: Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents
  • 9241: Power engineers and power systems operators

2021 NOC

  • 73201: General building maintenance workers and building superintendents
  • 92100: Power engineers and power systems operators

2023 OaSIS

  • 73201.00: General building maintenance workers and building superintendents
  • 92100.02: Power systems operators
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Building operators oversee building operation and maintenance. They make sure buildings are safe for the public. Their duties vary depending on the type of building. In general, they:

  • Inspect the inside and outside of the building regularly
  • Monitor and maintain building systems, such as heating, electrical, mechanical, and security systems
  • Do minor electrical and plumbing work, such as changing light bulbs and replacing furnace filters
  • Report any problems
  • Recommend changes to make the building more efficient and reduce operating costs or comply with codes, such as environmental, building, and safety codes
  • Maintain equipment and keep records of the work
  • Monitor access to restricted areas
  • Ensure restricted areas are safe, clean, functional, and accessible for maintenance
  • Perform or oversee housekeeping and grounds-keeping duties
  • Respond to emergencies (such as power failures, floods, and fires)
  • Plan and run fire drills
  • Respond to complaints from tenants
  • Liaise between tenants and owners
  • Supervise the work of maintenance personnel and contractors hired to make repairs
  • Keep track of supplies and equipment
  • Recommend the purchase of new equipment

Building operators often use computers to check equipment and do administrative tasks.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Strength Required Lift over 20 kg

Building operators work indoors and outdoors. They generally work 36 to 40 hours a week. They may work shifts and be on call. They may need to work overtime to solve equipment problems.

Interests & Abilities

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.

Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents

2006 NOC: 6663

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
METHODICAL

Interest in copying instructions to clean and maintain the interior and exterior of commercial, institutional and residential buildings and their grounds; to contract tradespersons for major repairs; and to ensure that security and safety measures are in place in the establishment

OBJECTIVE

Interest in operating - manipulating industrial vacuum cleaners to remove scraps, dirt, heavy debris and other refuse; to sweep, mop, scrub and wax hallways, floors and stairs; to clear snow and ice from walkways and parking areas; and to cut grass and tend grounds

INNOVATIVE

Interest in making adjustments and minor repairs to heating, cooling, ventilating, plumbing and electrical systems; and in performing routine maintenance jobs and repairs such as painting

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

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.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

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.

Learn About Abilities

Stationary Engineers and Auxiliary Equipment Operators

2006 NOC: 7351

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
OBJECTIVE

Interest in controlling and operating automated and computerized control systems, stationary engines and auxiliary equipment

innovative

Interest in analyzing information from instrument readings to detect leaks and other equipment malfunctions; may assist in the development of operation, maintenance and safety procedures

methodical

Interest in recording instrument readings, in monitoring and inspecting computer terminals, plant equipment, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, meters and other instruments to measure temperature, pressure and fuel flow, in ensuring plant equipment is operating at maximum efficiency and in maintaining a daily log of operation, maintenance and safety activities

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

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.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

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.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Building operators need:

  • Communication and social skills
  • Mechanical aptitude
  • Customer-service skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Organizational skills
  • The ability to work on their own
  • The ability to respond quickly in emergencies

They should enjoy having clear rules and guidelines for their work. They should also enjoy operating equipment and solving problems.

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.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents

2016 NOC: 6733

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 128 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 06, 2021 and Oct 07, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Move heavy furniture, equipment and supplies
Tasks: Sweep, mop, scrub and wax hallways, floors and stairs
Tasks: Empty trash cans and other waste containers
Tasks: Work with minimal supervision
Tasks: Make adjustments and minor repairs to heating, cooling, ventilation, plumbing and electrical systems, and contact tradespersons for major repairs
Tasks: Perform minor repairs on appliances
Tasks: Operate industrial vacuum cleaners to remove scraps, dirt, heavy debris and other refuse
Tasks: Wash windows, interior walls and ceilings
Tasks: Clean snow and ice from walkways and parking areas
Tasks: Perform other routine maintenance jobs such as painting and drywall repair

Power engineers and power systems operators

2016 NOC: 9241

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 27 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 06, 2021 and Oct 07, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Equipment and Machinery Experience: High pressure boilers
Equipment and Machinery Experience: Pumps
Equipment and Machinery Experience: Switches
Equipment and Machinery Experience: Compressors
Equipment and Machinery Experience: Programmable logic controller (PLC)
Tasks: Troubleshoot, perform corrective action or minor repairs
Tasks: Monitor and inspect plant equipment and systems to detect equipment malfunctioning and to ensure plant systems are operating normally
Tasks: Perform routine equipment maintenance
Equipment and Machinery Experience: Valves
Health benefits: Health care plan
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Minimum Education Less than high school

In Alberta, building operators who operate boilers must hold a power engineer’s certificate. (For more information, see the Power Engineer occupational profile.)

Building operators need to be familiar with environmental health and safety law. They also need to understand the design, operation, and maintenance of building systems. Employers generally require a Fifth Class Power Engineering certificate. They may also ask for:

  • A first aid certificate
  • A WHMIS (Workplace Hazards Management Information System) certificate
  • A Safety in the Workplace certificate (from the Government of Alberta)
  • A valid driver’s license
  • Experience supervising others
  • A journeyperson certificate in one or more trades

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and its local associations offer related training.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Red Deer Polytechnic
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

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.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Building operators work for:

  • Governments
  • School boards
  • Post-secondary schools
  • Regional health authorities
  • Property management and real estate companies
  • Hotels
  • Shopping malls
  • Factories
  • Owners and operators of large buildings, such as office towers

Building operators usually start at an entry-level position. With more experience and education in building safety, facilities management, and supervision, they may advance to senior building operator or supervisory positions.

Industry Concentration

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.

Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents
2016 NOC: 6733

75.4% of people in this occupational group work in:

Power engineers and power systems operators
2016 NOC: 9241

75.1% 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.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta 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.

General building maintenance workers and building superintendents
2021 NOC: 73201
Medium
Demand
8,100
Employed
Power engineers and power systems operators
2021 NOC: 92100
Medium
Demand
6,100
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 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.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

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:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents
2016 NOC: 6733
2.6%
Annual Growth
(Above Average)
526
New Positions
Power engineers and power systems operators
2016 NOC: 9241
2.2%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
105
New Positions

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.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Salaries vary a great deal depending on the building operator’s qualifications, the responsibilities of the position, and the location and size of the employing company.

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.

Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents

2016 NOC: 6733
Average Wage
$23.64
Per Hour
Average Salary
$41,797.00
Per Year
Average Hours
33.6
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.8
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 6733 Wage Profile

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.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

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.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $15.00 $30.77 $20.15 $18.00
Overall $15.87 $34.66 $23.64 $22.15
Top $16.44 $42.50 $28.83 $29.06

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

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Agriculture
Oil & Gas Extraction
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Transportation and Warehousing
Information, Culture, Recreation
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Business, Building and Other Support Services
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Accommodation & Food Services
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related)
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
37%
37%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
25%
25%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
3%
3%
Vacancy Rate
N/A

Power engineers and power systems operators

2016 NOC: 9241
Average Wage
$42.22
Per Hour
Average Salary
$87,418.00
Per Year
Average Hours
39.8
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 9241 Wage Profile

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.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

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.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $20.00 $79.33 $38.50 $34.40
Overall $28.00 $79.33 $42.22 $38.92
Top $29.74 $79.33 $44.50 $39.52

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

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Manufacturing
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
13%
13%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
11%
11%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
6%
6%
Vacancy Rate
2%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) website: www.absa.ca

Building Operators Association (Calgary) website: www.boacalgary.com

Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) website: bomacanada.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2019. 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.

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