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Assembly Line Worker, Circuit Board Assembler, Production Worker
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
Electronics assemblers and fabricators perform tasks required in making electronics. These include assembling circuit boards, medical equipment, transmitters, receivers, automotive equipment, and measuring devices. They work to precise specifications.
Electronics assemblers put together electronic components, sub-assemblies, products, or systems. They may:
Electronics fabricators set up, program, operate, or monitor process equipment, such as automatic or semiautomatic machines, that fabricate, solder, clean, seal, and stamp electronic components.
Most electronics assemblers and fabricators work in assembly plants. They may need to do shift work.
Where electronics assemblers also do mechanical assembly, some heavy lifting is required.
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 to assemble microcircuits requiring fine hand assembly, and to use microscopes and adhere to clean-room procedures; and to operate automatic and semi-automatic machines to position, solder and clean components on printed circuit boards
Interest in copying information to solder and assemble manually, various electronic components such as resistors, diodes, transistors, capacitors, integrated circuits, switches, wires and other electronic parts onto printed circuit boards; may repair and overhaul older devices
Interest in verifying dimensions and alignment of parts; may replace defective components
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.
Electronics assemblers and fabricators need to:
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 29 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 10, 2022 and Apr 24, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 28 |
|---|---|
| Health benefits: Dental plan | 26 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 24 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 24 |
| Attention to detail | 24 |
| Other benefits: Free parking available | 23 |
| Equipment and Machinery Experience: Hand tools | 23 |
| Equipment and Machinery Experience: Soldering equipment | 22 |
| Inspection or Testing Specialization: Microcircuits | 22 |
| Health benefits: Disability benefits | 22 |
There are no standard education requirements in this field. However, employers may prefer high school graduates. A basic knowledge of electronics is an asset. So is experience with soldering and identifying components.
Courses in basic electronics are offered by:
Many courses take place on evenings and weekends.
Electronics assemblers and fabricators are trained on the job. Training periods range from 1 week to 6 months. The length depends on the complexity of the work and the worker’s interest in learning more complex tasks.
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.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Electronics assemblers and fabricators work for companies that make electronic devices. Plants tend to be in or near cities. This is where they have access to parts, courier services, and customers. They hire many employees on a temporary basis for peak periods. Employees may be laid off when production slows down. Those who are self-employed do piece work.
Experienced electronics assemblers and fabricators may advance to inspector and tester roles. Electronics inspectors check components and assemblies for production faults. They also keep records of inspection results. Electronics testers:
Moving up to electronics tester roles may require post-secondary education in basic electronic theory, testing techniques, and testing equipment. Without further education, it is hard to advance beyond testing components or supervising assembly lines.
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 9523: Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers occupational group, 79.5% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 9523: Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 0 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.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Earnings depend on the level of skill needed and the terms of payment. Some assemblers are paid an hourly rate. Others are paid on a piece-work basis.
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.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.40 | $22.60 | $17.00 | $16.00 |
| Overall | $18.00 | $24.69 | $21.63 | $21.50 |
| Top | $23.00 | $30.45 | $27.74 | $27.00 |
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
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $44,873 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | $44,731 |
Updated Mar 31, 2022. 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.
