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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
Sheriffs ensure the safety and security of people, highways, and property such as courthouses, government buildings, and museums. Duties can vary widely. They work in close co-operation with other law enforcement agencies. They are recruited and trained by the Government of Alberta for service in 1 of 4 streams.
Court security and prisoner transport sheriffs:
Protection services sheriffs:
Traffic sheriffs:
Investigative service sheriffs work under the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) to provide specialized assistance with ongoing investigations. Sheriffs in this stream:
Sheriffs generally work a standard 38.75-hour workweek. Some specialized units work longer shifts. Weekend, holiday, and night shifts often are required because security and other services must be provided around the clock. In general, court security and prisoner transport sheriffs do not work weekends or holidays, except in rare instances.
Sheriffs work both indoors and outdoors in all kinds of weather. They may need to stand or walk for hours at a time, or ride in a vehicle for a full shift. At times, they must use force and may be required to lift heavy items.
Sheriffs work in stressful, emotional, and sometimes dangerous situations, such as arresting law breakers or executing arrest warrants.
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 analyzing information to investigate crimes and accidents
Interest in driving when patrolling assigned areas to maintain public safety and order; and in enforcing laws and regulations and arresting criminal suspects; may supervise and co-ordinate the work of other police officers
Interest in speaking to the public when participating in crime prevention, public information and safety programs
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.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Interest in copying to serve statements of claims, summonses, warrants, jury summonses, orders to pay alimony and other court orders; in serving writs of execution by seizing and selling properties and distributing the proceeds according to court decisions; and in issuing warrants for imprisonment, arrest or apprehension
Interest in handling to locate properties and make seizures and removals under various acts of Parliament; and in providing courthouse security for judges, security support for sequestered juries and perimeter security for the court house
Interest in speaking while escorting prisoners to and from courts and correctional institutions, and also while attending court, escorting witnesses and assisting in maintaining order
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 copying to perform security checks of passengers and luggage at airports; to operate security control room equipment to monitor establishment activities; to ensure that establishment safety and emergency procedures are followed; and to enforce regulations of establishments to maintain order
Interest in speaking with visitors to control access to organizations, issue passes and direct them to appropriate areas
Interest in driving and guarding armoured trucks when delivering cash and valuables to banks, automated teller machines and retail establishments; and in responding to fire alarms, bomb threats and other emergencies
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.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Sheriffs need:
They should enjoy having clear rules and guidelines for analyzing information and conducting investigations. They should be at ease taking charge of situations and dealing with people.
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 211 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between May 19, 2022 and Dec 24, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Patrol assigned areas | 125 |
|---|---|
| Attention to detail | 118 |
| Tasks: Enforce regulations to maintain order and resolve conflicts and to monitor establishment activities | 111 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 110 |
| Tasks: Produce reports | 109 |
| Construction Specialization: Judgement | 95 |
| Tasks: Prevent and detect shoplifting and theft in retail establishments | 81 |
| Walking | 77 |
| Tasks: Assist clients/guests with special needs | 74 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 72 |
Education requirements vary depending on the sheriff’s primary role:
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
In Alberta, sheriffs work for the Alberta Justice and Solicitor General department. Applicants must:
The Sheriff Introduction training program runs for 14 weeks at the Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Training Academy in Edmonton.
Promotion to sergeant generally requires several years of experience.
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.
Police officers (except commissioned)
2016 NOC: 4311
99.1% of people in this occupational group work in:
Sheriffs and bailiffs
2016 NOC: 4421
76.0% of people in this occupational group work in:
Security guards and related security service occupations
2016 NOC: 6541
79.7% 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 short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta 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: 2023-2025 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 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 | $32.51 | $60.99 | $46.87 | $53.52 |
| Overall | $41.49 | $61.22 | $51.20 | $53.52 |
| Top | $42.73 | $62.82 | $53.87 | $55.13 |
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 | $105,448 |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | $105,938 |
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 | $24.66 | $34.15 | $30.02 | $30.09 |
| Overall | $30.34 | $42.09 | $36.60 | $36.70 |
| Top | $30.34 | $42.42 | $37.20 | $37.30 |
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 | $73,527 |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | $73,527 |
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 | $15.00 | $28.81 | $17.92 | $15.00 |
| Overall | $16.00 | $35.06 | $20.09 | $17.00 |
| Top | $17.00 | $37.06 | $23.52 | $22.00 |
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 | $38,019 |
|---|---|
| Retail Trade | $35,993 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $34,207 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $47,444 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $33,187 |
| Educational Services | $48,415 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $59,185 |
| Accommodation & Food Services | $22,491 |
| Public Administration | $77,425 |
Alberta Justice and Solicitor General website: www.solgps.alberta.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.
