Engineering Technologist, Physical Sciences Technician/Technologist, Process Engineering Technologist
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:
| Starting | $33.59 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $45.61 |
| Top | $57.27 |
Interest in precision working to operate and maintain geophysical survey and well logging instruments and equipment, and to perform physical and chemical tests
Interest in analyzing geophysical and survey data to assist engineers and geologists in the evaluation and analysis of petroleum and mineral reservoirs; may assist engineers and metallurgists in specifying material selection, metal treatments and corrosion protection systems; may assist hydrogeologists in evaluating ground water and well circulation
Interest in supervising prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, geological survey programs and studies, and the preparation and of rock, mineral and metal samples; may supervise oil and gas well drilling, well completions and work-overs and welding projects
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.
In general, petroleum engineering technologists are involved in:
Technologists may perform a variety of tasks including:
Petroleum engineering technologists work at the wellsite, in field offices and in head offices. At the wellsite, they may be required to work shifts, be on-call and work in remote or isolated locations in all weather conditions. Many field operations run 24 hours a day seven days a week. In offices, they use computers for data compilation and analysis, project management and communications.
Petroleum engineering technologists need:
They should enjoy working with tools and instruments at tasks that require precision, analyzing data and finding innovative solutions to problems, and taking charge of situations.
The minimum educational qualification required to work as a petroleum engineering technologist is a two year diploma of technology related to petroleum engineering.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
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.
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.
Registration requires:
For detailed official information, contact the regulatory organization below.
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 above.
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.
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 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.
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.).
Registration requires:
For detailed official information, contact the regulatory organization below.
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.
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
Petroleum engineering technologists may work in a variety of jobs related to oil and gas production and reservoir analysis. They are employed by:
Most major employers are located in western Canada but jobs are available worldwide.
Junior technologists initially may be posted to a field position to acquire relevant experience before moving into an office position. Some technologists start in offices immediately following post-secondary training. Experienced technologists may move into team leadership, supervisory or management positions.
Petroleum engineering technologists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2212: Geological and mineral technologists and technicians. In Alberta, 82% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Over 5,100 Albertans are employed in the Geological and mineral technologists and technicians occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.8% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 41 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As petroleumengineering technologists form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for petroleumengineering technologists.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for petroleum engineering technologists vary considerably.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $17.89 | $59.13 | $33.59 | $29.33 |
| Overall | $25.65 | $73.81 | $45.61 | $38.00 |
| Top | $28.75 | $100.62 | $57.27 | $46.58 |
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* 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.
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.
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $108,190 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $91,026 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $83,994 |
| Public Administration | $72,335 |
Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) website: www.aset.ab.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Apr 11, 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.