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Instrumentation Engineering Technologist: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Do you have an interest in electronics and computer equipment? Are you a visual thinker? Are you good at math, chemistry, and physics? Then a career as an instrumentation engineering technologist may be right for you.
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Occupations in Alberta

Instrumentation Engineering Technologist

Instrumentation engineering technologists work in business, engineering, and industry settings. They apply what they know about pneumatic, electronic and microcomputer measurement, and control systems.

  • Avg. Salary $74,062.00
  • Avg. Wage $35.80
  • Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary
  • Outlook below avg
  • Employed 2,400
  • In Demand High
Also Known As

Industrial Instrumentation Technologist, Engineering Technologist

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: Mechanical Engineering Technologists (2232.1);  Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists (2241.1) 
  • 2006 NOC-S: Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians (C132);  Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians (C141) 
  • 2011 NOC: Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (2232);  Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (2241) 
  • 2016 NOC: Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (2232);  Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (2241) 
Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years

47%
47%
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
Starting $30.73
Overall $39.72
Top $48.38
  • Certification Provincially Regulated
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Interest Codes
The Instrumentation Engineering Technologist is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Mechanical Engineering Technologists
OBJECTIVE

Interest in precision working with instruments to design moulds, tools, dies, jigs and fixtures for use in manufacturing processes

INNOVATIVE

Interest in analyzing results of tests conducted on machines, components and materials to determine their performance, strength, response to stress and other characteristics

METHODICAL

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.

Learn More

Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists
OBJECTIVE

Interest in precision working to set up and operate specialized and standard equipment to test the performance of components, assemblies and systems

INNOVATIVE

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

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.

Learn More

Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2018

Pneumatic, electronic, and microcomputer instruments measure and control pressure variables in industrial processes. These include flow, temperature, level, pressure, and chemical makeup. Instruments can be as simple as mechanical float level controls or as complex as computer-based systems.

Duties vary from one role to another. Instrumentation engineering technologists may:

  • help design, specify, size and choose measurement and control systems (with engineers and others)
  • recommend and make changes to measurement and control systems
  • program and configure microprocessor-based measurement and control systems
  • work for vendors in technical sales and service roles (to learn more, see the Technical Sales Representative occupational profile)
  • update and stamp their own engineering drawings (if they have their P.Tech. designation).

Some instrumentation engineering technologists may need to be certified (to learn more, see Certification Requirements).

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2018

Instrumentation engineering technologists may work in design, maintenance, or construction. Those in design work mostly indoors. Those in maintenance and construction may work outdoors (at processing facilities or construction sites). They must take safety precautions to avoid injury.

Technologists may work standard weekday hours or shifts. They may be on call or work overtime to meet deadlines or solve problems.

  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Mar 31, 2018

Instrumentation engineering technologists need to possess:

  • an interest and skills in math, chemistry and physics
  • the ability to see objects in 3 dimensions when looking at drawings
  • persistence
  • speaking and listening skills
  • people skills (to work in teams)
  • hands-on mechanical skills (to troubleshoot equipment in the field).

They should enjoy:

  • doing precise work
  • finding and analyzing test results
  • finding innovative solutions
  • taking a methodical approach to their work.
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2018

The minimum requirement for instrumentation engineering technologists is a related 2-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.

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

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

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2018

Certified Engineering Technologist

Certified engineering technologists (CETs) apply industry-recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices to solve problems within their technological areas of expertise. Depending on their duties supervision by a Professional Engineer / Geoscientist or Professional Technologist (Engineering / Geoscience) may be required.

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.

What You Need

Registration requires successful completion of:

  • an applied science, engineering or information technology program accredited at the technologist level by Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC) 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.

Other requirements may include:

  • ASET certification exam
  • proficiency in English
  • proof of legal entitlement to work in Canada.

For detailed official information about registration requirements, contact ASET.

Working in Alberta

Certified engineering technologists who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory body in another province may transfer to Alberta as a Certified Engineering Technologist or Applied Science Technologist if the two jurisdictions require similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the ASET website.

To learn about certification for internationally educated certified engineering technologists, see Electrical Engineering Technologist Certification Process and Mechanical Engineering Technologist Certification Process.

Contact Details

The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)
1600, 9888 Jasper Ave.
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5C6
Canada

Call: 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 and geoscience. 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 or geoscience 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.).

What You Need

To register as a Professional Technologist (Engineering or Geoscience), you must have:

  • A 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 an Alberta Professional Engineer or Professional Geologist in the your proposed area and scope of practice
  • At least 2 years of post-secondary education in areas that relate to your proposed area and scope of practice
  • At least 4 years of experience under the supervision and control of an Alberta Professional Engineer or Professional Geologist or at least 10 years of experience if your post-secondary education does not match your proposed area and scope of practice
  • 3 professional references
  • Proof of compliance with ASET’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program
  • Successful completion of the National Professional Practice Exam

Other requirements may include:

  • ASET Certification Exam
  • Demonstration of proficiency in English
  • Proof of legal entitlement to work in Canada

For detailed, official information, contact ASET.

Working in Alberta

Professional technologists with a license to practice engineering or geoscience 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.

Registered professional technologists in Alberta may transfer to another province and receive recognition as a Certified Engineering Technologist or Applied Science Technologist by completing the process set by the local provincial regulatory organizations for technologists. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the ASET website.

Contact Details

Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)
1600, 9888 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 5C6
Canada

Call: 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 Mar 31, 2018

Instrumentation engineering technologists work for:

  • 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 become supervisors or managers. They may also be 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:

75% of people employed in the electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians classification work in the following industries:

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
  • location in Alberta
  • employment turnover (work opportunities that come up because of people leaving existing positions)
  • occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)
  • size of the occupation.

In Alberta, the 2232: Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

In Alberta, the 2241: Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians 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.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2018

Salaries for instrumentation engineering technologists vary quite a bit.

Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

Survey Methodology

Survey Analysis

Overall Wage Details
Average Wage
Average Salary
Hours Per Week
Overall Wage Details
Average Wage $39.72 / hr
Average Salary $80,743.00 / yr
Hours Per Week 39.3 hrs
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 $15.00 $55.70 $30.73 $25.63
Overall $23.64 $70.72 $39.72 $37.50
Top $33.94 $84.88 $48.38 $45.67

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
Health Care & Social Assistance
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
ALL INDUSTRIES
Public Administration
Manufacturing
Health Care & Social Assistance $86,465
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services $84,898
ALL INDUSTRIES $80,743
Public Administration $73,227
Manufacturing $67,375
Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years

47%
47%)

Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties

6%
6%

Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months

2%
2%

Vacancy Rate

1%
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians

Survey Methodology

Survey Analysis

Overall Wage Details
Average Wage
Average Salary
Hours Per Week
Overall Wage Details
Average Wage $35.80 / hr
Average Salary $74,062.00 / yr
Hours Per Week 39.8 hrs
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 $18.00 $44.15 $28.70 $27.64
Overall $21.00 $52.50 $35.80 $37.63
Top $25.00 $60.78 $42.72 $44.00

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
Utilities
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration
Manufacturing
ALL INDUSTRIES
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Wholesale Trade
Utilities $107,889
Health Care & Social Assistance $88,102
Public Administration $87,122
Manufacturing $77,552
ALL INDUSTRIES $74,062
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services $70,916
Wholesale Trade $51,138
Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years

46%
46%)

Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties

17%
17%

Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months

2%
2%

Vacancy Rate

N/A
Related High School Subjects
  • English Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Natural Resources
    • Environmental Stewardship
  • Science
    • Chemistry
    • Physics
  • Trades, Manufacturing and Transportation
    • Electro-Technologies
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Engineering and Science Technologies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2018

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

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2018. 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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