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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
Snubbing services are specialized oil and gas well maintenance functions that require working with a well under pressure. They include:
In Alberta, this is a designated occupation with the following levels:
Snubbing services are conducted 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Snubbing services operators work mainly outdoors, sometimes in adverse weather conditions. The work environment around a well site can be noisy and dirty.
Safety is very important in this occupation because the work is performed on wells that are under pressure and may contain hydrogen sulphide. The work is physically demanding and involves handling tools and equipment that weigh up to 25 kilograms.
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 controlling the operations of drilling and service rig drilling and hoisting machinery
Interest in speaking with members of rig crew to direct them in setting up rigs, drilling and completing and servicing oil and gas exploration and producing wells
Interest in compiling information to maintain records of drilling and servicing operations
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 driving trucks to well sites and in operating systems to pump chemicals, gases, sand, cement and other materials into wells
Interest in monitoring pressure, density, rate and concentration during pumping operations
Interest in copying information to read gauges to interpret conditions and adjust pumping procedures; may mix chemicals and cement
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.
Snubbing services operators and supervisors need:
They should enjoy operating machinery and complex equipment, having clear rules and guidelines for their work, and 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.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 89 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 04, 2021 and Dec 13, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 71 |
|---|---|
| Health benefits: Dental plan | 70 |
| Health benefits: Vision care benefits | 66 |
| Work Site Environment: Outdoors | 61 |
| Health benefits: Disability benefits | 57 |
| Construction Specialization: Dependability | 55 |
| Hand-eye co-ordination | 54 |
| Computer Systems: Valid driver's licence | 53 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 53 |
| Tasks: Ensure safety procedures are followed | 52 |
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 116 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 04, 2021 and Dec 13, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 96 |
|---|---|
| Health benefits: Dental plan | 95 |
| Health benefits: Vision care benefits | 93 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 73 |
| Attention to detail | 72 |
| Computer Systems: Valid driver's licence | 72 |
| Work Site Environment: Outdoors | 72 |
| Long term benefits: Life insurance | 70 |
| Work Setting: Various locations | 68 |
| Computer Systems: Willing to travel | 67 |
Snubbing services operators and supervisors are trained on the job. There are no standard education requirements but employers generally prefer applicants with a high school diploma or who have related training or experience.
To access and work in the oil and gas industry, employees must complete the Common Safety Orientation (CSO) course from Energy Safety Canada.
Snubbing services operator is a designated trade in Alberta. Certification is not required to work, but trainees can apply to Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training for journeyperson certification. Certification requires completion of a petroleum competency program managed by Energy Safety Canada.
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.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Snubbing services operators and supervisors insert and remove drill pipe, tubing and specialized equipment into and from oil and gas wells when blowout preventers are closed to contain well pressure. For more information, see the Designated Trades Profile section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.
In Alberta, government-legislated certification is available for snubbing services operators and supervisors.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Snubbing Services Operators and Supervisors.
Certified tradespeople who want to build their business skills may obtain an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Contractors in the upstream petroleum industry employ snubbing services operators and supervisors. Newly hired individuals usually start in the entry-level position of assistant operator. With experience, they may become operators at a higher level and advance to supervisor 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.
Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
2016 NOC: 8232
79.0% of people in this occupational group work in:
Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators
2016 NOC: 8412
85.0% 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 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.
Incomes for snubbing services operators and supervisors range from $60,000 a year to $180,000 a year (2019 estimates).
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 | $21.63 | $50.30 | $33.53 | $30.00 |
| Overall | $27.33 | $50.00 | $40.40 | $42.00 |
| Top | $28.00 | $86.54 | $57.67 | $51.96 |
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 | $78,201 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $79,318 |
| Construction | $67,354 |
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 | $17.69 | $48.08 | $29.09 | $28.00 |
| Overall | $21.72 | $55.52 | $33.54 | $32.00 |
| Top | $26.50 | $66.67 | $37.55 | $36.00 |
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 | $65,187 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $64,383 |
| Construction | $64,172 |
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Energy Safety Canada website: www.energysafetycanada.com
PetroLMI, Careers in Oil and Gas (COG) website: careersinoilandgas.com
Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC) website: www.psac.ca
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.
