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Shot Blaster
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:
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 operating sandblasting, pressurized steam and hydroblasting equipment
Interest in comparing to inspect surfaces for dust, dirt, grease and other deposits; and in cleaning building exteriors and other surfaces
Interest in selecting appropriate sandblasting equipment and techniques
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.
Interest in operating machines to grind and polish surfaces of stone blocks, slabs and other stone products to specific shapes and designs, and to produce smooth finishes; in finishing stone products with spray paint and in mounting plaques and installing concrete bases
Interest in copying information to operate blade and wire saws to cut blocks of stone to specified dimensions, and to operate machines to drill holes in blocks and slabs of stone according to specifications
Interest in operating sandblasting equipment to cut inscriptions and decorative designs on monument stones
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.
Interest in comparing information to clean work areas and equipment; and in loading and unloading vehicles using hand carts and dollies
Interest in operating metal-cleaning equipment such as wheelabrators, deburrers and shotblasters to remove excess welds, rust, scale and other material from surfaces of metal parts, castings and other metal products
Interest in sorting metal sheets and parts, scrap metal and other materials
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.
Sandblasters may work in a variety of areas:
Types of sandblasting equipment include:
All these types of blasting equipment include a pressurized system attached to a hose, which has a nozzle that directs a flow of abrasive particles. Different types of abrasive particles, such as silica sand, fine glass beads, crushed nut shells, steel, aluminum and pressurized steam, are suited to particular materials and achieve different finishes.
In general, sandblasters:
When etching, sandblasters may:
Sandblasters work primarily outdoors. They sometimes work indoors in blast rooms or when using blast cabinets for smaller pieces. Standing for extended periods, bending, crouching, kneeling and working at heights or in confined spaces may be required, all while holding a pressurized hose.
Working conditions often are noisy, dusty and dirty. Occupational risks include exposure to hazardous dust particles, excessive noise and potentially explosive or flammable conditions created by using metallic abrasives. There can be a risk of injury if control of the nozzle is lost.
Sandblasters must follow safety procedures and wear personal protective equipment such as respirators, well-padded clothing and gloves, steel-toed boots, eye and ear protection, and blast hoods or helmets with an adequate air supply.
The job requires heavy lifting. For example, a sandblaster might have to hold a high-pressure hose (180 pounds per square inch) for several hours.
Sandblasters need:
Sandblasters should enjoy working outdoors, operating machinery and performing tasks that require precision.
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 Feb 06, 2022 and Mar 29, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Equipment and Machinery Experience: Hand tools | 62 |
|---|---|
| Attention to detail | 61 |
| Tasks: Read and interpret work orders | 57 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 56 |
| Tasks: Operate metal cleaning equipment to remove excess welds, rust, scale and other materials from surfaces of metal products | 56 |
| Tasks: Clean machines and immediate work areas | 55 |
| Construction Specialization: Dependability | 53 |
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 50 |
| Tasks: Grind or chip excess metal from metal products using hand tools | 50 |
| Handling heavy loads | 49 |
Most sandblasters are trained on the job. There are no standard education requirements for sandblasters, but employers generally prefer to hire applicants who have a high school diploma or related experience, a valid driver's licence with a good driving record, and 1 or more of the following types of training:
Industrial positions may require related safety training such as CSTS (Construction Safety Training System).
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
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: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Sandblasters are employed by:
With experience, sandblasters may advance to supervisory positions.
In Alberta, sandblasters are part of 3 larger 2011 National Occupational Classifications, 6732: Specialized cleaners, 9414: Concrete, clay and stone forming operators and 9612: Labourers in metal fabrication.
79% of people in the Specialized cleaners group work in the following industries:
71% of people in the Concrete, clay and stone forming operators group work in the following industries:
78% of people in the Labourers in metal fabrication group work in the Manufacturing [pdf] industry
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 9612: Labourers in metal fabrication occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.2% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
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 2016 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 | $15.00 | $23.00 | $19.37 | $20.00 |
| Overall | $18.33 | $32.00 | $25.98 | $25.00 |
| Top | $21.50 | $38.00 | $31.61 | $31.00 |
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
| Manufacturing | $53,402 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $52,517 |
| Construction | $43,148 |
BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca
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Updated Mar 31, 2021. 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.