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 | $30.81 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $42.06 |
| Top | $64.15 |
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 operations as well as health and safety. They apply their skills in:
Technologists may perform a range of tasks. They may:
Work settings for petroleum engineering technologists range from the wellsite to field offices and head offices. At the wellsite, often in remote locations, shift work is common. Technologist may need to be on call and work in all types of weather. Many field operations run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the office, they use their computer skills to compile and analyze data, manage projects, and maintain communications.
Field work often includes regular labour duties that require some heavy lifting.
Petroleum engineering technologists need:
They should be comfortable analyzing data. They should like working with tools and instruments at precision tasks. They should enjoy creative problem solving and be at ease taking charge.
The minimum educational qualification required to work as a petroleum engineering technologist is a 2-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.
Certification is not required for this occupation. However, legislation exists for protected titles or duties.
This occupation has more than one related certification. For details about each certification, see below.
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.
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 successful completion of:
Other requirements may include:
For detailed official information about registration requirements, contact ASET.
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.
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 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.
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.).
To register as a Professional Technologist (Engineering or Geoscience), you must have:
Other requirements may include:
For detailed, official information, contact ASET.
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.
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
Petroleum engineering technologists work in a wide range of circumstances in oil and gas production and reservoir analysis. They work for:
Most major employers are located in western Canada, but jobs are available worldwide.
When starting out, junior technologists may be posted to a field operation to get experience before moving into the office. Others start in offices immediately following their post-secondary schooling. With experience, they can 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:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the C112: Geological and Mineral Technologists and Technicians occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.8% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 41 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Salaries for petroleum engineering technologists vary a great deal.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $20.19 | $54.66 | $30.81 | $26.83 |
| Overall | $23.10 | $59.74 | $42.06 | $43.98 |
| Top | $29.00 | $84.58 | $64.15 | $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.
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 | $106,802 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $82,982 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $76,683 |
| Public Administration | $74,082 |
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 Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 31, 2019. 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.