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Heat Treater, Stress Reliever
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
Heat treating often is called Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) or Stress Relieving. It involves heating work pieces (for example, pipes or vessels) to high temperatures in a controlled manner and maintaining those temperatures for a prescribed time, then cooling work pieces at prescribed rates to achieve the required properties. Field heat treatment technicians use a variety of heat treatment methods (for example, electrical resistance heating, combustion fuel firing or electrical induction heating). They also may do other heat-related work such as:
In general, field heat treatment technicians:
Field heat treatment services are typically provided on a contract basis to clients engaged in the construction, maintenance or operation of facilities that have welded structures, piping or vessels (for example, refineries, power plants, fabrication facilities, pipelines, mining and steam assisted gravity drainage operations).
Field heat treatment services are provided throughout the year, often in outdoor environments and sometimes in adverse weather conditions. The work environment may include any combination of high noise areas, working at heights, confined spaces and congested work sites. Field heat treatment technicians can find themselves in remote locations or shop environments.
Hours of work vary from long term scheduled shifts to short notice "call out" projects. Overtime often is required to meet production and start-up deadlines. Depending on the contractor’s workload, extensive travel and extended stays away from home may be required.
Safety precautions are required to reduce the risk of injury. Most work sites and contractors require pre-employment, periodic and/or random drug and alcohol screening.
Heat treatment equipment can be large and bulky. Technicians occasionally must lift items that weight up to 25 kilograms.
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.
Geological and mineral technicians
2023 OaSIS: 22101.02
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:
Field heat treatment technicians need:
They should enjoy working at a variety of work sites and in varied conditions.
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 25 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jan 25, 2022 and Aug 16, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 20 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 19 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 17 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 17 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Office | 15 |
| Data interpretation and evaluation | 15 |
| Construction Specialization: Judgement | 14 |
| Work Site Environment: Outdoors | 13 |
| Type of Industry Experience: Mineral resources and/or mining | 12 |
| Work under pressure | 11 |
Employers generally prefer to hire applicants who have a high school diploma with a strong background in science, the ability to do trade math, good English verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to read technical documents written at a Grade 12 or higher reading level. Field heat treatment technicians need to be well-versed with the technology used in the industry (digital control, measuring instruments, software), and to understand the principles of metallurgy, electricity, combustion and heat transfer.
A trade or technology certificate in one of the welding, machining, pipe or metalworking trades is an asset but not required. Employers may provide the safety training required for working on industrial sites, working at heights and working with hazardous materials (for example, Industrial First Aid, H2S, Confined Space, CSTS, WHIMIS, Working at Heights, Fall Protection).
Field heat treatment technician is a designated trade in Alberta. Certification is available from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training but is not required to work in Alberta.
Applicants must have at least 48 months of training and 7,200 hours of work experience. Formal classroom training is available through the Quality Control Council of Canada.
Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for admission, credit, or certification. Credits may reduce the hours required.
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.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Field heat treatment technicians set up and perform controlled heat treating to offset the high temperature effects of welding. For more information, see the Designated Trades Profile section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.
In Alberta, government-legislated certification is available for field heat treatment technicians.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Field Heat Treatment Technician.
Certified tradespeople who want to build their business skills may obtain an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Field heat treatment technicians work for companies that specialize in providing contract heat treating services. This work is highly specialized and international so there are relatively few people employed in this occupation compared to the number of people employed in associated trades and occupations.
Most heat treating work in Alberta is on high pressure welded piping systems and vessels used for refining, chemical processing or power generation. Well trained, certified field heat treatment technicians are in high demand.
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.
Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
2016 NOC: 2212
79.4% 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.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Most of the industry is subject to wage and benefit agreements negotiated by the Quality Control Council (QCC). The negotiated hourly rate for an individual possessing an occupational certificate is $35 to $55 an hour plus pension benefits (2020 estimates). Wage rates are comparable for field heat treatment technicians outside the QCC agreements.
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 | $19.67 | $55.30 | $38.94 | $40.31 |
| Overall | $19.93 | $79.54 | $48.44 | $46.15 |
| Top | $26.22 | $128.62 | $66.18 | $60.43 |
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 | $100,964 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $121,141 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $86,168 |
| Public Administration | $77,714 |
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: www.tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Quality Control Council of Canada website: qcccanada.com
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2020. 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.
