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Methane Gas Collection System Operator
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
*This NOC group is considered similar to the Landfill Gas Plant Operator occupation. Because this occupation is only similar to the NOC group, related details and labour market information may not be accurate.
Solid waste releases methane gas and carbon dioxide as it decomposes in landfills. Gas wells are drilled approximately 25 metres deep into a landfill and are connected underground to a network of pipes that deliver the methane gas to recovery plants.
Captured methane gas can be used to generate electricity or cleaned (separated from carbon dioxide) to generate renewable natural gas. 1 tonne of organic waste can produce the energy equivalent of 1 barrel of oil.
Landfill gas plant operators’ duties vary depending on the size of the gas plant. In large plants, more operators usually are required and their jobs are more specialized. Smaller gas plants require fewer people who may have a wider range of duties. In general, landfill gas plant operators:
Landfill gas plant operators work closely with landfill operating staff and sub-contractors involved in landfill gas collection.
Landfill gas plant operators may spend about half of their time outdoors. Their job requires a considerable amount of walking, crouching, bending, kneeling and lifting. Landfill gas recovery plants operate 24 hours a day, so operators are required to work 8- or 12-hour shifts.
Methane gas is poisonous, flammable and lighter than air. It may explode if it migrates to the landfill’s surface and becomes concentrated in an area where there is an ignition source. Therefore, landfill gas plant operators must follow safety procedures to prevent injury.
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.
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Landfill Gas Plant Operator occupation.
Interest in controlling process start-up, shut-down and troubleshooting; and in operating electronic or computerized control panels from a central control room; and in shutting down, isolating and preparing process units or production equipment for maintenance
Interest in analyzing information to develop operator procedures for normal operations, start-up and shut-down of units; and in participating in safety audits and programs, and in providing emergency response when required
Interest in speaking with team members and trainees to authorize or co-sign maintenance work orders; in ensuring adherence to safety and environmental regulations; may work in a team with shared supervisory responsibilities and participate in training other workers
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.
Landfill gas plant operators need:
They should enjoy controlling equipment, instruments and machinery, analyzing information to solve problems and working with others in a team.
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 data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Landfill Gas Plant Operator occupation.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 20 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jul 13, 2022 and Apr 16, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Ensure adherence to safety regulations | 20 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Monitor outside process equipment | 20 |
| Tasks: Adjust equipment, valves, pumps and controls and process equipment | 20 |
| Work Setting: Remote location | 19 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 19 |
| Attention to detail | 19 |
| Tasks: Operate electronic or computerized control panel from a central control room | 19 |
| Tasks: Rotate between different processing units during shift cycles | 19 |
| Tasks: Develop operator procedures for normal operation, start-up or shut-down | 19 |
| Tasks: Participate in training of other workers | 19 |
Most emerging occupations develop from more than one occupation. People working in this occupation may come from a variety of education and training backgrounds. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should contact associations and employers in this field to investigate education options and employment possibilities.
Employers generally prefer to hire applicants who have a high school diploma with courses in mathematics, chemistry and physics. The following safety courses also may be required or recommended:
Landfill gas plant operators also should know about:
An Alberta Power Engineering Certificate may be required. In Alberta, power engineers are certified through the Alberta Boiler Safety Association. There are 5 levels of certification, starting from Class 5 to Class 1. Each level of certification has different training and employment experience requirements. For more information, see the Power Engineer occupational profile.
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:
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Landfill Gas Plant Operator occupation.
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.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Emerging occupations typically are the result of:
Often there are too few people working in an emerging occupation to gather survey information. Therefore, it can be difficult to define advancement opportunities or employment outlook. Some Albertans already are working in this emerging occupation, but future demand for it is unknown.
Landfill gas plant operators work for:
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.
Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing
2016 NOC: 9232*
77.9% of people in this occupational group work in:
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Landfill Gas Plant Operator occupation.
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 short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta 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.
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Landfill Gas Plant Operator occupation.
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:
Explore emerging workplace trends in Alberta that could affect this occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Landfill Gas Plant Operator occupation.
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.
Salaries for landfill gas plant operators vary depending on the plant and the qualifications of the operator.
Often there are too few people working in an emerging occupation to gather survey information. Therefore, no current provincial salary data is available for this occupation.
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.
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Landfill Gas Plant Operator occupation.
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.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $30.91 | $47.60 | $42.70 | $46.76 |
| Overall | $40.40 | $83.32 | $54.52 | $58.45 |
| Top | $40.40 | $84.69 | $60.12 | $70.14 |
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
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $111,635 |
|---|
Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) website: absa.ca
ECO Canada website: eco.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 04, 2021. 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.
