There was an error. Please try again.
This page is already listed in your guide. Please choose a different page to add.
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.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
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.
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 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 102 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between May 10, 2022 and Sep 10, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Operate cleaning machines | 86 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Clean interior and exterior of motor vehicles | 76 |
| Experience: Will train | 67 |
| Tasks: Provide customer service | 63 |
| Tasks: Wash and clean interior and exterior windows and other glass surfaces | 63 |
| Attention to detail | 54 |
| Tasks: Vacuum floors | 53 |
| Tasks: Shampoo upholstery | 45 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 43 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 42 |
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 122 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between May 10, 2022 and Sep 10, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Operate machines to grind and polish surfaces of stone blocks, slabs or other stone products to specific shape or design and to produce a smooth finish | 83 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Operate machines to drill holes in blocks or slabs of stone according to specifications | 76 |
| Tasks: Operate blade or wire saws to cut blocks of stone to specified dimensions | 71 |
| Tasks: Perform ongoing machine adjustments | 57 |
| Tasks: Operate stone-dressing lathe to sharpen and dress grindstones that grind logs into pulp | 53 |
| Tasks: Check products for quality control | 50 |
| Tasks: Finish stone products with spray paint and by mounting plaques or installing concrete bases | 46 |
| Work Site Environment: Noisy | 45 |
| Attention to detail | 43 |
| Hand-eye co-ordination | 42 |
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 168 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between May 10, 2022 and Sep 10, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Clean machines and immediate work areas | 140 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Operate metal cleaning equipment to remove excess welds, rust, scale and other materials from surfaces of metal products | 137 |
| Tasks: Sort metal sheets and parts, scrap metal and other materials | 134 |
| Tasks: Load and unload vehicle | 124 |
| Tasks: Grind or chip excess metal from metal products using hand tools | 123 |
| Tasks: Read and interpret work orders | 100 |
| Tasks: Assist structural steel and platework fitters, sheet metal workers, metal machine operators or other metal workers | 99 |
| Attention to detail | 97 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 88 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 83 |
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: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Sandblasters are employed by:
With experience, sandblasters may advance to supervisory 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.
Specialized cleaners
2016 NOC: 6732
75.8% of people in this occupational group work in:
Concrete, clay and stone forming operators
2016 NOC: 9414
86.3% of people in this occupational group work in:
Labourers in metal fabrication
2016 NOC: 9612
81.3% 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.
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.
In Alberta, the 6732: Specialized cleaners occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.5% from 2021 to 2025. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 169 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
In Alberta, the 9414: Concrete, clay and stone forming operators occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 2.1% from 2021 to 2025. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 7 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
In Alberta, the 9612: Labourers in metal fabrication occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 2.2% from 2021 to 2025. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 27 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
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 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 | $23.40 | $16.97 | $15.25 |
| Overall | $15.00 | $29.00 | $18.80 | $16.73 |
| Top | $16.50 | $34.02 | $21.71 | $19.00 |
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
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $33,593 |
|---|---|
| Construction | $54,070 |
| Manufacturing | $42,129 |
| Wholesale Trade | $38,194 |
| Retail Trade | $36,151 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $42,342 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $9,141 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $24,776 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $32,033 |
| Public Administration | $45,283 |
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.
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.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $33.30 | $21.73 | $22.00 |
| Overall | $24.00 | $40.00 | $29.24 | $29.33 |
| Top | $26.00 | $43.00 | $33.37 | $32.00 |
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
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $59,600 |
|---|---|
| Construction | $60,675 |
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
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $52,517 |
|---|---|
| Construction | $43,148 |
| Manufacturing | $53,402 |
BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
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.
