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Ramp Agent

Ramp agents work at airports. They operate ramp servicing vehicles and equipment, handle baggage, and perform other duties. They work on the ramp and in cargo warehouses.

Also Known As

Ramp Service Attendant, Station Attendant, Turn Around Crew Agent, Lead Ramp Agent

NOC Codes

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

  • 7437: Air Transport Ramp Attendants

2006 NOC-S

  • H737: Air Transport Ramp Attendants

2011 NOC

  • 7534: Air transport ramp attendants

2016 NOC

  • 7534: Air transport ramp attendants

2021 NOC

  • 74202: Air transport ramp attendants

2023 OaSIS

  • 74202.00: Air transport ramp attendants
Duties
Updated Mar 24, 2023

Ramp agents may perform some or all the following duties depending on the airline and size of the airport:

  • Operate towing tractors, food service trucks, de-icer sprayers, lavatory servicing trucks, and other service vehicles and equipment
  • Position passenger loading bridges and operate aircraft doors
  • Tow aircraft to gate positions for loading and unloading
  • Refuel aircraft
  • Connect and operate ground support equipment (such as ground power units and air conditioning units)
  • Load and unload baggage and freight by hand or by operating ramp equipment (such as forklifts, scissor lifts, conveyor belts, and ramp tractors)
  • Sort and route baggage, cargo, and mail, and position cargo in warehouses
  • Load cargo in aircraft compactly and in compliance with weight restrictions (to achieve proper load balance)
  • Clean and stock aircraft cabins
  • De-ice or wash aircraft
  • Load and position meals and related supplies
  • Report loading counts and procedures (to airport ground service support and flight crews)

They must always follow safety precautions around aircraft.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 24, 2023
  • Strength Required Lift over 20 kg

Airlines operate 24 hours a day so ramp agents must work shifts with rotating days off. Most of the work is performed in confined spaces or outdoors in a noisy setting. Ramp agents may work in harsh weather conditions.

Their work is physically demanding. Ramp agents routinely need to kneel, crawl, climb, bend, push, and pull. Heavy lifting (over 35 kg) is required.

Work Personalities

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.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
R
Realistic
This occupation
You
C
Conventional

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Your Work Personalities

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

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.

Air transport ramp attendants
2023 OaSIS: 74202.00

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

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.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Abilities Sets

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.

Critical Thinking

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:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Numbers and Patterns

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:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Physical Activity

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:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Mind-Body Coordination

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:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Senses

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:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 24, 2023

Ramp agents need:

  • The ability to lift heavy cargo
  • Speaking and listening skills
  • A safety-conscious attitude
  • The ability to work well under pressure

They should enjoy:

  • Having clear rules and organized methods
  • Driving vehicles and operating equipment
  • Solving problems

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.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Air transport ramp attendants

2016 NOC: 7534

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 18 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 05, 2021 and Sep 29, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Drive and operate ramp-servicing vehicles and equipment
Computer Systems: Valid driver's licence
Attention to detail
Reliability
Team player
Personal Suitability: Dependability
Personal Suitability: Reliability
Tasks: Unload, sort and route cargo and passenger baggage
Dependability
Work under pressure
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 24, 2023
  • Minimum Education High school diploma

Ramp agents must qualify for a high level of security clearance, so candidates must have a clear record (no criminal convictions). They must also have a valid driver’s licence and a clean driver’s abstract. They must be fluent in English. Employers may require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent, or to pass a pre-employment exam. As this occupation has high safety requirements, drug and alcohol testing may be required. For some positions or locations, fluency in French may be an asset.

There may be many applicants for ramp agent positions. When this happens, employers give preference to people with one or more of the following:

  • An advanced driving licence
  • An Airside Vehicle Operations Permit (AVOP) licence
  • Heavy equipment training
  • A dangerous goods handling certificate or related training
  • Airline experience
  • Experience in physically demanding work
  • Experience in warehousing, stockrooms, or shipping and receiving

Ramp agents are trained on the job. Companies may provide a short training program (2 to 6 weeks) before assigning new employees to positions.

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 Requirements
Updated Mar 24, 2023
  • Certification Not regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 24, 2023

Ramp agents work for airlines and airline subcontractors. They may be asked to transfer to other locations in Canada. This depends on company policy. Most entry-level positions are part time.

Ramp agents with the required qualifications may move into positions with greater duties. Or they may transfer to other positions, such as lead ramp agent, passenger agent, cargo agent, baggage or load agent, or administrator.

Industry Concentration

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.

Air transport ramp attendants
2016 NOC: 7534

88.3% 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.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

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.

Air transport ramp attendants
2021 NOC: 74202
Hot
Job Market
< 1500
Employed in AB

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.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

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:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Air transport ramp attendants
2016 NOC: 7534
5.1%
Annual Growth
(Above average)
94
New Positions

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.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 24, 2023

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.

Air transport ramp attendants

2021 NOC: 74202
Average Wage
$19.02
Per Hour
Average Salary
$38,908.00
Per Year
Average Hours
39.6
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.9
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 74202 Wage Profile

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.

C: Lower Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

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.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $17.00 $17.50 $17.56 $17.50
Overall $17.53 $19.00 $19.02 $19.00
Top $19.06 $21.63 $20.32 $20.00

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

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Transportation and Warehousing

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
81%
81%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
68%
68%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
0%
0%
Vacancy Rate
0%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Driver Training
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 24, 2023

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 140 website: www.iam140.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 24, 2023. 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.

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