Instrumentation Engineering Technologist
Instrumentation engineering technologists apply their knowledge of pneumatic, electronic and microcomputer measurement and control systems in business, engineering and industry settings.
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Avg. Salary $78,349.00
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Avg. Wage $38.84
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Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary
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Outlook Down
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Employed 5,900
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In Demand High
Also Known As
Industrial Instrumentation Technologist, Engineering Technologist
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
41%
41%
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
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Certification Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
NOC & Interest Codes
The Instrumentation Engineering Technologist is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Mechanical Engineering Technologists
NOC code: 2232.1
- OBJECTIVE
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Interest in precision working with instruments to design moulds, tools, dies, jigs and fixtures for use in manufacturing processes
- INNOVATIVE
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Interest in analyzing results of tests conducted on machines, components and materials to determine their performance, strength, response to stress and other characteristics
- METHODICAL
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Interest in supervising and monitoring installations, construction projects, maintenance programs and operations of mechanical plants; and in preparing operations and maintenance standards and schedules of mechanical plants
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
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 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.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists
NOC code: 2241.1
- OBJECTIVE
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Interest in precision working to set up and operate specialized and standard equipment to test the performance of components, assemblies and systems
- INNOVATIVE
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Interest in analyzing information to carry out applied research in the fields of electrical and electronic engineering and physics under the direction of scientists and engineers; and in diagnosing and analyzing the performance of components, assemblies and systems
- METHODICAL
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Interest in supervising the building and testing of prototypes according to general instructions and established standards; and in conducting and supervising the installation, commissioning and operation of electrical and electronic equipment and systems other than aircraft electronics or instruments
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
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 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.
Duties
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Pneumatic, electronic and microcomputer instruments are used to measure and control pressure, flow, temperature, level, chemical composition and other variables in industrial processes. Instruments range in complexity from simple mechanical float level controls to complex computer based systems.
Duties and responsibilities vary from one position to another in this emerging occupation. Instrumentation engineering technologists may:
- work in engineering offices with engineers and others to design, specify, size and select measurement and control systems
- recommend and implement modifications to improve measurement and control systems
- program and configure microprocessor based measurement and control systems
- work for vendors in technical sales and service roles (for more information, see the Technical Sales Representative occupational profile) .
Those who install, operate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair pneumatic, electronic and microcomputer based equipment in industrial plant and field environments may be required to be certified instrument technicians (see below).
Working Conditions
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Instrumentation engineering technologists may be employed in design, maintenance or construction environments. Those in design work primarily indoors. Those in maintenance and construction may work outdoors at processing facilities or construction sites. Safety precautions must be observed to avoid injury in construction and processing environments.
Instrumentation engineering technologists may work standard weekday hours or shifts. They may be on call or required to work overtime to meet project deadlines or troubleshoot problems.
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Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Instrumentation engineering technologists need the following characteristics:
- an interest in and aptitude for math, chemistry and physics
- the ability to visualize three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings
- persistence
- good communication skills
- the interpersonal skills required to work in a team environment.
They should enjoy doing precise work, obtaining and analyzing test results, finding innovative solutions to problems and taking a methodical approach to their work.
Educational Requirements
Updated Dec 19, 2016
The minimum educational requirement for instrumentation engineering technologists is a related two year engineering technology diploma.
Required Education
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Related Education
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Instrumentation engineering technologists who wish to become certified instrument technicians must complete the Instrument Technician apprenticeship program. NAIT and SAIT program graduates qualify for 600 hours of work experience credit toward the first and second periods of apprenticeship, and may challenge third and fourth period exams and an interprovincial Red Seal exam. Further work experience is required to complete the apprenticeship program. For more information, see the Instrument Technician occupational profile.
Certification Requirements
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Certified Engineering Technologist
Under the supervision of a professional engineer or professional technologist in engineering, certified engineering technologists undertake the routine application of industry recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices. They use established engineering, geoscience or applied science principles and methods of problem solving. Duties may include design, production, marketing, testing, quality control, estimating, surveying, inspecting, diagnostic evaluation, supervision, management and technical sales.
Legislation
Under Alberta's Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act (PDF) and ASET Regulation (PDF), you must be a registered member of the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) to use the title Certified Engineering Technologist (CET). You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself a Certified Engineering Technologist.
Education
Registration requires:
- successful completion of an applied science, engineering or information technology program accredited at the technologist level by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB), or equivalent
- at least 2 years of acceptable technical experience
- 3 professional references
- completion of a competency report
- successful completion of ASET's Professional Practice Exam
- demonstration of proficiency in English.
For detailed official information, contact the regulatory organization below.
Working in Alberta
Engineering technologists who are certified by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for certification in Alberta if certified engineering technologists in the 2 jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory? and the Alberta regulatory organization below.
To learn about the certification process for internationally educated engineering technologists, see Mechanical Engineering Technologist Certification Process (PDF) and Electrical Engineering Technologist Certification Process (PDF) on AlbertaCanada.com.
Contact Details
The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)
1600 - 9888 Jasper Ave.
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5C6
Phone: 780-425-0626
Toll-free in Alberta: 1-800-272-5619
Fax: 780-424-5053
Email: asetadmin@aset.ab.ca
Website: www.aset.ab.ca
Professional Technologist (Engineering or Geoscience)
Professional Technologists (Engineering) and Professional Technologists (Geoscience) are currently unique to Alberta. They practise independently in accordance with established methodologies and specifications in the fields of engineering, geology and geophysics, and they have the authority to sign off and stamp work within a prescribed scope of practice.
Legislation
Under Alberta's Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act (PDF) and Professional Technologists Regulation (PDF), you must be registered as a Professional Technologist (Engineering or Geoscience) by the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) to practise engineering, geology or geophysics within a prescribed scope of practice, or to use the titles Professional Technologist (Engineering) or Professional Technologist (Geoscience) or the abbreviations P.Tech. (Eng.) or P.Tech. (Geo.).
Education
Registration requires:
- designation as a Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) in good standing
- at least 6 years of work experience in areas that relate to engineering or geoscience, with at least 2 years under the supervision and control of a Professional Engineer or Professional Geologist in the applicant's proposed area and scope of practice
- at least 2 years of post-secondary education or 10 years of experience that matches the proposed scope of practice
- 3 professional references
- proof of compliance with ASET's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program
- proficiency in English
- successful completion of the National Professional Practice Exam.
For detailed official information, contact the regulatory organization below.
Working in Alberta
Professional technologists are currently only recognized in Alberta. They may be eligible for a limited licence with engineering regulatory organizations in other jurisdictions. Information on obtaining a limited licence is available through the regulatory organizations.
A professional technologist may also transfer to another province and receive recognition as a Certified Engineering Technologist by completing a transfer form and paying the associated transfer fee. Transfer forms are provided by the provincial regulatory organizations for technologists. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory? and the Alberta regulatory organization below.
Contact Details
The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)
1600 - 9888 Jasper Ave.
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5C6
Phone: 780-425-0626
Toll-free in Alberta: 1-800-272-5619
Fax: 780-424-5053
Email: asetadmin@aset.ab.ca
Website: www.aset.ab.ca
Employment & Advancement
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Below-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.
Instrumentation engineering technologists are employed by:
- engineering firms
- oil, gas and petrochemical companies
- power, gas and water utilities
- pulp and paper mills
- food processors
- chemical plants
- mining companies
- meter and controls design and sales companies.
Experienced technologists may advance to supervisory or managerial positions, or become self-employed consultants.
In Alberta, instrumentation engineering technologists are part of two larger 2011 National Occupational Classifications: 2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians and National Occupational Classification 2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians.
77% of people employed in the Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians classification work in the following industries:
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
- Manufacturing (PDF)
- Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction (PDF)
- Construction (PDF)
75% of people employed in the Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians classification work in the following industries:
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
- Manufacturing (PDF)
- Construction (PDF)
- Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction (PDF)
- Utilities (PDF)
- Information, Culture and Recreation (PDF)
- Public Administration (PDF)
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
- location in Alberta
- employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
- occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
- size of the occupation.
Over 5,900 Albertans are employed in the Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.3% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 77 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As instrumentation engineering technologists form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for instrumentation engineering technologists.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Wage & Salary
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Salaries for instrumentation engineering technologists vary considerably.
For more information see ASET's annual salary survey.
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $25.00 | $66.20 | $45.66 | $45.43 |
| Overall | $31.00 | $71.63 | $51.40 | $49.04 |
| Top | $42.00 | $88.27 | $63.72 | $60.58 |
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.
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.
Industry Information
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
41%
41%
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
11%
11%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
N/A
2015 Vacancy Rate
N/A
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $13.74 | $40.38 | $27.97 | $28.24 |
| Overall | $25.50 | $52.67 | $38.84 | $38.52 |
| Top | $30.43 | $71.36 | $51.10 | $52.88 |
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.
A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition
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.
Industry Information
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
61%
61%
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
25%
25%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
5%
5%
2015 Vacancy Rate
2%
Related High School Subjects
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English Language Arts
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Mathematics
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Science
- Chemistry
- Physics
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Natural Resources
- Environmental Stewardship
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Trades, Manufacturing and Transportation
- Electro-Technologies
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
- Engineering and Science Technologies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: www.tradesecrets.org
Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta - ASET website: www.aset.ab.ca
The International Society of Automation (ISA) website: www.isa.org
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Apr 10, 2014. 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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