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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:
| Starting | $31.09 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $39.89 |
| Top | $55.41 |
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
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 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 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
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 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.
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 sulfide. The work is physically demanding and involves handling tools and equipment that weigh up to 25 kilograms.
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.
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 occupation in Alberta. This means that certification is not required but trainees can apply to Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training for an Alberta Occupational Certificate. 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.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
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 Trades and Occupations section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.
In Alberta, government-legislated certification is available for snubbing services operators and supervisors.
Any of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Service Offices located throughout Alberta. For a list of office locations and telephone numbers, click on “Contact Us” on the home page of the Tradesecrets website (tradesecrets.alberta.ca).
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.
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.
In Alberta, snubbing services operators and supervisors are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification:
80% of people employed in the Oil and gas well drilling workers and services operators occupational group work in the Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction [pdf] industry.
82% of people employed in the Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers occupational group work in the Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the I132: Oil and Gas Well Drillers, Servicers, Testers and Related Workers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.7% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 154 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
In Alberta, the I142: Oil and Gas Well Drilling Workers and Services Operators occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.6% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 37 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
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).
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $42.00 | $31.09 | $28.37 |
| Overall | $20.17 | $56.00 | $39.89 | $42.00 |
| Top | $21.92 | $92.86 | $55.41 | $51.28 |
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* 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.
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.
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $81,684 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $79,584 |
| Construction | $71,206 |
| Manufacturing | $51,093 |
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $50.51 | $31.82 | $30.01 |
| Overall | $20.95 | $55.00 | $36.52 | $36.00 |
| Top | $26.00 | $75.96 | $43.02 | $41.50 |
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.
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.
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $90,799 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $75,145 |
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $72,572 |
| Construction | $64,005 |
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Energy Safety Canada website: www.energysafetycanada.com
PetroLMI, Career 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.