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Scaffolder
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
Scaffold erectors plan, build, and situate the temporary work structures that provide other workers with safe, secure access to places they work. They may work on construction, offshore drilling, or oil sands sites, at power stations, and or on special projects such as parade viewing platforms. Scaffolds are made from wood, metal, or preformed components. They may begin at ground level or be suspended from buildings, vessels, or other structures.
Scaffold erectors need to:
Scaffold erectors sometimes work indoors, but primarily work outdoors in all kinds of weather. They work overtime and weekend shifts during peak construction periods.
Working at extreme heights always involves some risk of injury. Scaffold erectors must wear personal protective equipment (PPE, including hard hats, gloves, and steel-toed boots) and fall protection equipment (personal fall arrest systems). They must follow safety programs and legislation. Scaffold erecting is a physically demanding job. Workers may be required to lift, carry, pull, and move heavy items. Bending, climbing, kneeling, overhead lifting, and using ropes to pull materials onto elevated platforms are part of the job.
Depending on the location of the worksite, some travel may be required.
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.
Carpenters
2023 OaSIS: 72310.00
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:
Scaffold erectors need:
They should enjoy being physically active, working outdoors, and using tools.
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 193 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Sep 09, 2025 and Oct 09, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Measure, cut, shape, assemble and join materials made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials | 188 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Fit and install windows, doors, stairs, mouldings and hardware | 166 |
| Tasks: Build foundations, install floor beams, lay subflooring and erect walls and roof systems | 137 |
| Tasks: Prepare layouts in conformance to building codes, using measuring tools | 129 |
| Tasks: Maintain, repair and renovate residences and wooden structures in mills, mines, hospitals, industrial plants and other establishments | 117 |
| Tasks: Read blueprints, drawings and sketches to determine work requirements | 109 |
| Work Setting: Various locations | 99 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 96 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 90 |
| Work Setting: Construction | 75 |
Scaffold erectors need a combination of training and work experience. The Alberta Carpenters Training Centre (ACTC), Scaffold Industry Association of Canada, and Scaffold and Access Industry Association offer various training programs throughout Alberta. For more information, visit their websites.
Employers may prefer applicants who have a high school diploma with at least Grade 11 Math and English. Working on construction sites also requires the following certificates:
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
Scaffold erectors work for contractors in all sectors of the construction industry (residential, commercial, institutional, industrial).
Experienced scaffold erectors may advance to supervisory or foreman positions. With further training, they may become scaffold inspectors.
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.
Carpenters
2016 NOC: 7271
82.0% 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 prospects in the construction industry change with the seasons and depend on the state of the economy. For the foreseeable future in Alberta, employment prospects for scaffold erectors are excellent.
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.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $21.00 | $38.00 | $29.83 | $30.00 |
| Overall | $27.00 | $43.52 | $35.22 | $35.75 |
| Top | $32.69 | $46.69 | $39.71 | $39.15 |
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 | $76,478 |
|---|---|
| Construction | $76,630 |
| Educational Services | $75,562 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $78,988 |
| Public Administration | $80,453 |
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Alberta Carpenters Training Centre (ACTC) website: www.abcarptc.ab.ca
BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca
Calgary Construction Association website: cgyca.com
Scaffold and Access Industry Association (SAIA) website: www.saiaonline.org
Scaffold Industry Association of Canada (SIAC) website: www.siac-ontario.com
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2020. 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.
