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Gas Utility Operator: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Are you interested in how energy is transported? Do you like connecting with the public? Are you physically active and good with mechanics? Then becoming a gas utility operator may be your pipeline to a career.
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Occupations in Alberta
Apprenticeship

Gas Utility Operator

Gas utility operators install and service gas utility pipeline systems that transport natural gas from its source to points of use such as building meter sets.

Contents Expand All
Also Known As

Natural Gas Utility Operator

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

  • 7442.2: Gas Maintenance Workers

2006 NOC-S

  • H532: Waterworks and Gas Maintenance Workers

2011 NOC

  • 7442: Waterworks and gas maintenance workers

2016 NOC

  • 7442: Waterworks and gas maintenance workers

2021 NOC

  • 74204: Utility maintenance workers

2023 OaSIS

  • 74204.02: Gas maintenance workers
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Gas utility systems include:

  • Gas transmission distribution systems under various levels of pressure
  • Gas mains and services
  • Pressure controllers and regulators
  • Gas meter and measuring

Duties and responsibilities vary from one job to another but, in general, gas utility operators:

  • Interpret prints and specifications to determine the location, size and materials required to install gas mains
  • Install and maintain cathodic protection to prevent corrosion in steel and aluminum pipes
  • Locate underground gas systems and conduct routine surveys of gas mains and distribution lines to detect and locate escaping gas
  • Carry out routine gas system maintenance functions
  • Operate and maintain regulating, measuring and odourizing facilities
  • Provide information to the public and industry about underground gas distribution lines
  • Observe excavation work to ensure that underground gas facilities are protected
  • Investigate reports of gas leaks to determine the exact location and extent of leaks
  • Use equipment to expose gas lines and repair damaged pipes
  • Use laptop computers to keep records of work performed and the location and condition of pipelines
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Gas utility operators’ work is physically demanding, both indoors and outdoors. Operators generally work a 40-hour work week but overtime may be required to deal with emergencies or meet construction deadlines. On some jobs, gas utility operators need to rotate on-call shifts.

Working with explosive gases and power tools can be dangerous. To avoid injury, gas utility operators must follow safety codes and regulations and, during emergency situations, follow the specified procedures.

Work Personalities

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.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
R
Realistic
This occupation
You
C
Conventional
I
Investigative
This occupation
You

To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Gas maintenance workers
2023 OaSIS: 74204.02

Click or tap a personality type for its description.

  • 1
    Realistic

    Realistic jobs focus on working with your hands, tools, machines, or animals. People in these jobs often fix, build, or take care of things. They like clear tasks and working in a physical way. These jobs usually don’t need much paperwork or teamwork. Examples include mechanics, farmers, and builders.

  • 2
    Conventional

    Conventional jobs involve following rules and working with information. People in these jobs like to keep things organized and follow clear steps. They often work with numbers, files, or data. These jobs usually happen in offices and involve working with data and details more than ideas. Examples include clerks, accountants, and data entry workers.

  • 3
    Investigative

    Investigative jobs are about thinking deeply and solving problems. People in these jobs enjoy learning, asking questions, and doing research. They often study science, nature, or how things work. These jobs need a lot of thinking and often involve working with ideas instead of people. Examples include scientists, lab technicians, and researchers.

Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.

Your Work Personalities

To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

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.

Gas maintenance workers
2023 OaSIS: 74204.02

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

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.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Abilities Sets

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

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:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Inductive Reasoning
Verbal Ability
Information Ordering
Categorization Flexibility
Deductive Reasoning
Fluency of Ideas
Problem Identification
Written Comprehension
Written Expression

Numbers and Patterns

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:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Memorizing
Perceptual Speed
Pattern Organization Speed
Numerical Ability
Mathematical Reasoning
Multitasking
Pattern Identification
Spatial Orientation
Spatial Visualization
Selective Attention

Physical Activity

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:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Stamina
Static Strength
Trunk Strength
Explosive Strength
Body Flexibility
Dynamic Strength
Gross Body Coordination
Gross Body Equilibrium
Multi-Limb Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination

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:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion
Rate Control
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Control of Settings
Finger Dexterity
Manual Dexterity
Multi-Signal Response
Reaction Time
Speed of Limb Movement

Senses

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:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Hearing Sensitivity
Speech Clarity
Peripheral Vision
Auditory Attention
Depth Perception
Far Vision
Glare Tolerance
Near Vision
Night Vision
Speech Recognition
Sound Localization
Colour Perception

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Gas utility operators need:

  • Mechanical ability
  • Manual dexterity
  • Strength and stamina
  • The intellectual ability to succeed in the formal training
  • The ability to communicate with customers
  • The ability to get along with customers and fellow workers

They should enjoy being physically active and working with little direction or supervision.

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

Waterworks and gas maintenance workers

2016 NOC: 7442

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 28 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Apr 22, 2022 and Oct 07, 2025.

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: Keep record of work performed and location and condition of equipment
Attention to detail
Hand-eye co-ordination
Reliability
Team player
Work Setting: Various locations
Flexibility
Own Tools/Equipment: Hard hat
Accurate
Walking
Tasks: Keep record of work performed and location and condition of equipment 22
Attention to detail 20
Hand-eye co-ordination 19
Construction Specialization: Reliability 18
Construction Specialization: Team player 17
Work Setting: Various locations 16
Construction Specialization: Flexibility 15
Own Tools/Equipment: Hard hat 15
Construction Specialization: Accurate 15
Walking 15
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Minimum Education Designated occupation

Gas utility operator is a designated trade in Alberta. Training and certification are not required, but trainees can apply to Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training for a Journeyperson Certificate. It is recommended that applicants have English Language Arts 10-1, Pure Math 10 and Science 10, or equivalents.

To register, trainees must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire a trainee. Most employers prefer to hire applicants who have a high school diploma or related training or experience (in gasfitting for example). Prospective gas utility operators may be hired first as labourers and, if their work is satisfactory, offered trainee positions when they become available.

To qualify for a journeyperson certificate for gas utility operator based on training requires a minimum of 24 months training that includes at least 3,400 hours work experience.

Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for admission, credit, or certification. Credits may reduce the hours required.

Related Education

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

Designated Occupations
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, 2020
  • Certification Provincially regulated

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.

Gas Utility Operator

Gas utility operators install and service gas utility pipeline systems that transport natural gas from its source to points of use such as building meter sets. For more information, see the Designated Trades Profile section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.

Legislation

In Alberta, government-legislated certification is available for gas utility operators.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Gas Utility Operator.

Additional Information

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.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Gas utility operators are employed by gas utility and distribution companies and firms that contract services to those companies.

Experienced operators may advance to supervisory positions but further advancement opportunities are limited.

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.

Waterworks and gas maintenance workers
2016 NOC: 7442

81.0% 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.

Look for Work

Think Industries and Sectors When Planning Your Career

Jobs and occupations are changing every day. It can be hard to know what the future of work looks like—but not impossible. Look at industries and sectors for possible inspiration, insights, and opportunities.
3-Year Job Market Forecast

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.

Utility maintenance workers
2021 NOC: 74204
Warm
Job Market
3,400
Employed in AB

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.

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
©
iStock.com/filadendron
OCCinfo

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

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

Waterworks and gas maintenance workers
2016 NOC: 7442
2.4%
Annual Growth
(Average)
30
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.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Experienced gas utility operators earn from $20 to $40 an hour plus benefits (2019 estimates).

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.

Utility maintenance workers

2021 NOC: 74204
Average Wage
$39.38
Per Hour
Average Salary
$81,683.00
Per Year
Average Hours
40.1
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.8
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 74204 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.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

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.

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 $21.28 $40.28 $31.25 $30.00
Overall $26.00 $50.35 $39.38 $38.00
Top $29.00 $60.42 $48.99 $52.54

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
Utilities
Construction
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Public Administration
ALL INDUSTRIES $81,683
Utilities $78,356
Construction $67,117
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services $91,993
Public Administration $81,687

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
76%
76%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
34%
34%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
11%
11%
Vacancy Rate
5%
Related High School Subjects
  • Science
  • Trades, Manufacturing and Transportation
    • Fabrication
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca

BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca

Careers in Energy website: careersinenergy.ca

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.

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