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Production Worker
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
There are several types of plastics processing. These include injection molding, rotational molding, extrusion processes, and blow molding.
In injection molding, molten plastic material is injected into a steel mold to form individual 3D products. These can include industrial components, domestic goods, or medical parts. The softened plastic quickly cools and hardens, and the mold opens. The part is ejected and the process is repeated for each new piece.
In rotational molding, powdered plastic is placed inside a mold and the mold is rotated, heated, and cooled. This produces large, sometimes complex, parts.
In extrusion processes, softened plastic is forced through a metal die. The continuous operation delivers products such as plastic pipe, film and sheet goods, and coverings for wires and cables. In another extrusion process, plastic is premixed to modify its properties.
In blow molding, melted plastic is formed into a parison. (A parison is a tube-like piece of plastic with a hole in one end.) A pressurized gas, most often compressed air, causes the hot parison to expand. This presses it against a mold cavity. The pressure is held until the plastic cools, forming a hollow container.
Duties and responsibilities vary depending on the process. In general, plastics processing technicians monitor the operation of automated equipment. They record product measurement and output rates. They also:
Plastics processing technicians work in manufacturing plants. Plants often operate 24 hours a day. Technicians can be required to stand for up to 12 hours at a time. They may work nights, weekends, and holidays. Safety gear is standard in an industrial setting. This includes eye and ear protection and steel-toed boots.
Handling heavy objects is also routine.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Industrial engineering and manufacturing technicians
2023 OaSIS: 22302.02
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Plastics processing technicians need:
They should enjoy precision tasks. They should like being methodical in their work. They should enjoy helping engineers.
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 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Sep 23, 2022 and Oct 07, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 65 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Assist in preparing estimates, schedules, specifications and reports | 65 |
| Tasks: Conduct work measurement or other studies | 63 |
| Tasks: Develop and conduct production, inventory and quality assurance programs | 61 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 60 |
| Tasks: Collect and compile operational or experimental data | 60 |
| Tasks: Collect and analyze data and samples | 59 |
| Tasks: Develop manufacturing and processing procedures | 56 |
| Tasks: Design plant layouts and production facilities | 54 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 54 |
Plastics processing technicians need basic math. They also need a working knowledge of the processing characteristics of common plastics materials. Over time they develop the knowledge and skills to set up and maintain automated processing equipment. They also take safety training.
In Alberta, most plastics technicians are trained on the job. Employers may prefer applicants with one or more of the following:
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.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Plastics processing technicians work for large and small plastics manufacturers.
With experience, they may be promoted to supervisory positions. They may also advance by taking on positions in quality control and testing, equipment maintenance, or costing and production estimating. They may need further education to become managers.
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.
Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
2016 NOC: 2233
80.1% 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 Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation 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.
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 | $19.00 | $42.94 | $28.11 | $25.00 |
| Overall | $19.70 | $74.18 | $37.50 | $36.00 |
| Top | $25.00 | $100.00 | $51.13 | $43.71 |
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 | $76,813 |
|---|---|
| Construction | $86,069 |
| Manufacturing | $74,712 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $84,143 |
Canadian Plastics Industry Association website: www.plastics.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
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.
