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Agricultural Technician, Farm Equipment Operator, Livestock Care Technician, Ranch 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
Farm workers work on farms or ranches. Their work varies depending on the farm. In general, they:
Ranch workers may also:
Farm machinery operators maintain and operate farm equipment. This includes machines that cultivate, fertilize, and seed land, and that spray and harvest crops.
Farm workers work outdoors in all kinds of weather. They may work long hours, especially in the summer and during busy times such as harvest and calving. Many farm jobs require weekend work. Winter can be particularly tiring for those employed in the livestock industry.
Automation has made farm work less tedious and physically demanding, but workers still need to do repetitive manual labour.
Paid, non-family farm and ranch workers are covered by employment standards, occupational health and safety regulations and standards, and Workers’ Compensation legislation in Alberta.
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 comparing information to examine produce for quality and prepare for market, to feed and tend livestock and poultry, and to clean stables, barns, barnyards and pens; and to set and monitor water lines, air flow and temperature in barns, pens and chicken coops
Interest in driving - operating and maintaining farm machinery and equipment
Interest in detecting disease and health problems in crops, livestock and poultry
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.
Farm workers need:
They should also be free of allergies to grains, feeds, livestock, and dust.
Farm machinery operators also need mechanical aptitude to run and maintain complex equipment.
All farm workers 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 269 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 17, 2024 and Nov 20, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Work Setting: Rural area | 173 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 160 |
| Handling heavy loads | 148 |
| Tasks: Operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment | 147 |
| Work Site Environment: Outdoors | 146 |
| Attention to detail | 136 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 110 |
| Tasks: Harvest crops | 109 |
| Work under pressure | 105 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 104 |
Education and training requirements vary from one employer to another. Some will hire applicants with limited farming experience and give them full on-the-job training. Others prefer those who already have experience. More and more, producers look for applicants who have post-secondary education. Advancing to supervisory and management roles may require related education and extensive experience. Farm workers typically need to have a minimum Class 5 driver’s licence.
The Government of Alberta offers the Green Certificate Program. The program provides apprenticeship-style training. It combines hands-on farm mentorship with formal education.
This program is free and available to students at all Alberta high schools. Various specializations are offered at each level, such as dairy production and field crop production. Graduates of the Level I Green Certificate Program are certified as farm production technicians. They may earn up to 16 credits toward their high school diploma for each specialization they complete.
To participate in the Green Certificate Program, trainees must be at least 15 years of age and enrolled in grade 10, 11, or 12. The training takes about a year. This allows trainees to experience all 4 seasons on a farm.
For more information, students may visit the Green Certificate Program website or ask their guidance counsellor.
A wide variety of in-class and distance education courses related to agriculture are also offered by:
Courses range from 1 day to several weeks in length. This provides flexibility for those who choose not to leave their farms for long stretches. Courses may be advertised in brochures, local media, and agricultural magazines.
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 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.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Farm workers may be permanent or part-time employees. They are often family members of the farm owner. Many jobs are seasonal or casual. The demand for farm staff has increased due to:
Some people look for general farm worker jobs by contacting farm owners directly. Others use government offices or private agencies.
Experienced farm workers may advance to supervisory and management roles. This is even more likely if they have related education and leadership, mechanical, and business skills. Farm supervisors or herdsmen (sometimes called production supervisors) oversee a specific area of a farming operation. They report directly to the farmer or farm business manager.
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.
General farm workers
2016 NOC: 8431
90.9% 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 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.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Wages and benefits usually are individually negotiated between farm employers and the workers. They vary with the type and hours of work.
Annual incomes in this occupation vary widely. Often, farm workers are contracted to work for a specified period of time.
For seasonal and year-round positions, accommodations may be provided on the farm for a nominal rent or as a taxable benefit.
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 | $15.00 | $25.00 | $18.07 | $18.00 |
| Overall | $16.50 | $31.25 | $22.32 | $21.00 |
| Top | $18.50 | $40.77 | $27.45 | $26.80 |
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 | $46,179 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | $48,415 |
| Wholesale Trade | $30,081 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $23,781 |
| Public Administration | $64,187 |
Government of Alberta website, Agriculture and Irrigation: www.alberta.ca/agriculture-and-irrigation.aspx
Alberta Community and Co-operative Association (ACCA) website: www.acca.coop
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 22, 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.
