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Instrument Repair Technician, Mechanic, Service Technician
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:
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 repair and adjust system components such as sensors, transmitters and programmable logic controllers, remove and replace defective parts and to install control and measurement instruments on existing and new plant equipment and processes
Interest in analyzing to inspect and test instruments to diagnose faults using pneumatic, electrical and electronic testing devices and precision measuring instruments
Interest in speaking to consult with and advise process operators; and in performing scheduled preventive maintenance
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.
Instrumentation and control technicians work with a wide variety of pneumatic, electronic and microcomputer devices that are used to measure and control pressure, flow, temperature, level, motion, force and chemical composition.
In general, technicians:
Instrumentation and control technicians may follow regular weekday hours or work rotation schedules, and are sometimes on call at night and on weekends.
Working conditions may change dramatically from one job to another. Instrumentation and control technicians working with manufacturing processes may be exposed to noisy, dusty, cold or unusually warm conditions. They can find themselves in confined spaces or high places, or working with radiation devices or laser equipment. There is some risk of injury particularly when processing dangerous chemicals or working with substances under pressure or at high temperatures.
Instrumentation and control technicians may be required to lift or move items that weigh up to 25 kilograms.
Instrumentation and control technicians need:
They should enjoy solving problems and working with little direction or supervision.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 17 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 28, 2021 and May 17, 2022.
Review these skills to learn:
| Inspect and test operation of instruments and systems | 16 |
|---|---|
| Repair and adjust system components | 15 |
| Install new measuring instruments | 15 |
| Determine testing and maintenance procedures | 15 |
| Remove and replace defective parts | 14 |
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 14 |
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 14 |
| Logical approach for troubleshooting | 13 |
| Calibrate components and instruments | 13 |
| Complete test and maintenance reports | 12 |
To work in Alberta, an instrumentation and control technician must be ONE of the following:
To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them. They must also meet ONE of the following:
Most employers prefer to hire high school or post-secondary program graduates who have strong backgrounds in the chemical and physical processes involved in instrumentation. Courses in math, physics and chemistry are particularly important.
The term of apprenticeship is 4 years (four 12-month periods) that include a minimum of:
High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).
Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for admission, credit, or certification. Credits may reduce the period of apprenticeship.
Instrumentation and control technician apprentices may take the interprovincial exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training to earn a Red Seal (certification recognized in most parts of Canada).
Instrumentation and controls technicians need to keep up to date with changes in technology.
Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. For more information, see the Apprenticeship Training Catalogue.
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 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.
Instrumentation and control technicians install, maintain and repair the measuring and control devices used in industrial and commercial processing. For more information, see the Trades and Occupations section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.
Under Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act [pdf] and Instrumentation and Control Technician Trade Regulation [pdf], you do not have to be certified if you are self-employed or work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. To learn the trade, you must become a registered apprentice.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Instrumentation and Control 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.
With industry becoming increasingly automated, instrumentation and control technicians are needed virtually anywhere there are control and metering systems.
They are employed in the following industries:
Experienced instrumentation and control technicians may advance to supervisory positions, be employed as engineering technicians or move into company sales offices.
Instrumentation and control technicians are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2243: Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics. In Alberta, 86% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf]in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 2243: Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 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: Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Journeyperson instrumentation and control technicians wage rates vary but generally range from $30 to $55 an hour plus benefits (2019 estimates). Apprentices earn at least 55% of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 65% in the second, 75% in the third and 85% in the fourth.
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.
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 | $18.00 | $46.25 | $25.39 | $21.45 |
| Overall | $24.33 | $50.62 | $34.41 | $36.20 |
| Top | $28.30 | $52.88 | $42.17 | $43.14 |
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
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $82,761 |
|---|---|
| Construction | $80,297 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $73,037 |
| Manufacturing | $70,109 |
| Wholesale Trade | $60,452 |
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.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.