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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.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Petroleum engineering technologists are involved in operations as well as health and safety. Their expertise is applied in activities such as petroleum drilling, geology, production procedures, formation evaluation, and reservoir engineering. They serve as authorities in advancing and pioneering innovative technologies like CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration), in-situ hydrogen production, as well as finding uses for geothermal energy, the extraction of valuable elements from brine solutions, and using technologies to further obtain and use other vital resources.
They apply their skills in:
Technologists may perform a range of tasks. They may:
Work settings for petroleum engineering technologists range from the well site to field offices and head offices. At the well site, often in remote locations, shift work is common. Technologists 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.
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.
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
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.
Petroleum engineering technologists need:
They should enjoy:
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 chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 24 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jan 25, 2022 and Jun 16, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 20 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 19 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 17 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 17 |
| Data interpretation and evaluation | 15 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Office | 15 |
| Construction Specialization: Judgement | 14 |
| Work Site Environment: Outdoors | 13 |
| Type of Industry Experience: Mineral resources and/or mining | 12 |
| Work under pressure | 11 |
The minimum educational qualification required to work as a petroleum engineering technologist is a 2-year technology diploma 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.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
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.
Certification is not required for this occupation. However, legislation exists for protected titles or duties.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Certified engineering technologists (CET) use industry-recognized codes, standards, procedures, and practices to solve problems within their technological areas of expertise. Depending on their duties, they may need supervision by a Professional Engineer, Professional Geoscientist, or Professional Technologist (Engineering / Geoscience).
Under Alberta’s Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act [pdf] and ASET Regulation [pdf], you must register with the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) to use the protected title Certified Engineering Technologist (CET).
You do not have to register if you do not call yourself a Certified Engineering Technologist.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Certified Engineering Technologist.
Professional Technologists (Engineering) and Professional Technologists (Geoscience) are currently unique to Alberta. They practice independently according to 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 register with the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) as a Professional Technologist (Engineering or Geoscience) to:
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Professional Technologist (Engineering or Geoscience).
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Petroleum engineering technologists work in a wide range of circumstances in oil and gas production and reservoir analysis. They work for:
Most major Canadian employers are located in western Canada. However, 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.
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.
Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
2016 NOC: 2212
79.4% of people in this occupational group work in:
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.
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:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
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.
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 widely.
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.
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.
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.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $19.67 | $55.30 | $38.94 | $40.31 |
| Overall | $19.93 | $79.54 | $48.44 | $46.15 |
| Top | $26.22 | $128.62 | $66.18 | $60.43 |
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 | $100,964 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $121,141 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $86,168 |
| Public Administration | $77,714 |
Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) website: www.aset.ab.ca
Careers in Energy website: careersinenergy.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. 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.
