About the job
This group includes many jobs that do not require a high level of formal training. These workers operate and monitor various types of machinery and equipment; load and transport materials; and check, sort, assemble, or package materials and products. They are employed in mineral ore and metal processing plants, uranium processing plants, steel mills, aluminum plants, precious metal refineries, cement processing plants, and clay, glass, and stone plants and foundries.
Labourers in metal fabrication are employed in structural steel, boiler and platework fabrication plants, heavy machinery manufacturing plants, sheet metal fabrication shops, shipbuilding, and other metal products manufacturing companies.
Labourers in chemical products are employed by petroleum and natural gas processing, pipeline and petrochemical, chemical and pharmaceutical companies, and by electrical, water, and waste treatment utilities and services.
Labourers in textile processing are employed by textile manufacturing companies. Other labourers are employed by companies that manufacture products such as clothing, footwear, furniture, and electrical and electronic products, and by printing and packaging companies.
- Labourers in mineral and metal processing perform material handling, clean-up, packaging and other elemental activities related to mineral ore and metal processing.
- Labourers in metal fabrication remove excess metal and unwanted materials from metal parts, castings and other metal products and perform other labouring activities.
- Labourers in chemical products processing and utilities carry out a variety of material handling, cleaning and routine general labouring activities.
- Labourers in textile processing perform a variety of manual duties to assist in processing fibres into yarn or thread, or to assist in weaving, knitting, bleaching, dyeing or finishing textile fabrics or other textile products.
- Other labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities includes labourers, not elsewhere classified, who perform material handling, clean-up, packaging and other elemental activities in processing, manufacturing and utilities.
- foundry worker - primary metal processing
- gas utility labourer
- labourer - metal fabrication
- landfill weigh scale attendant
- loom cleaner
- packer - manufacturing
- scrap yard worker - primary metal processing
- sorter, recyclable materials
- textile product labourer
- welder helper
To work in these jobs, you should have good physical health. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.
- Some secondary school education may be required while completion of secondary school may be required for some positions in this group.
Although work patterns vary according to the employer's business and the type of work done, work in these jobs is generally seasonal. Generally, this work is carried out in shifts at various hours of the day or on a part-time basis. Progression to machine and process operator positions is possible with experience and appropriate qualifications. There is also considerable mobility among jobs in this group.
Labour Market Information
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to remain largely the same over the next few years. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Labourers in Mineral, Metal, Chemical Products, Utilities, and Textiles Fabrication most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically temporary positions (such as a term, contract, or casual work).
The median employment income for 45% of Labourers in Mineral, Metal, Chemical Products, Utilities, and Textiles Fabrication who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $33,477. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Occupation | Estimated employment in 2018 | Estimated change in employment between 2017 and 2019 | Estimated openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019 | Estimated rate of unemployment in 2018 | Estimated hourly earnings in 2015 (learn more) | Estimated annual earnings in 2015 |
Labourers in Mineral and Metal Processing | 1,580 | Stable | 70 | High | Minimum: $12.00 Median: $17.00 Maximum: $27.50 | Minimum: $3,437 Median: $24,112 Maximum: $52,727 |
All NS Occupations | 427,305 | Weak growth | 33,315 | Moderate | Minimum: $11.00 Median: $19.89 Maximum: $40.00 | Minimum: $2,872 Median: $29,983 Maximum: $83,126 |
Labourers in Mineral and Metal Processing | Compared to: All NS Occupations | |
Percent employed full-time | 85% | 78% |
Percent self-employed | 4% | 10% |
Area of Employment | Labourers in Mineral and Metal Processing | Compared to: All NS Occupations | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Southern | 19% | x | 12% | $30,581 |
Northern | 24% | x | 16% | $33,660 |
Cape Breton | 17% | x | 13% | $32,974 |
Halifax | 26% | x | 47% | $41,209 |
Annapolis Valley | 15% | x | 13% | $32,958 |

Age | Labourers in Mineral and Metal Processing | Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities |
% Employed | % Employed | |
15-24 | 19% | 3% |
25-34 | 18% | 5% |
35-44 | 12% | 21% |
45-54 | 20% | 42% |
55-64 | 26% | 29% |
65+ | 5% | 3% |
Median Age | x | 45 |

Gender | Labourers in Mineral and Metal Processing | Compared to: All NS Occupations |
% Employed | % Employed | |
Female | 25% | 49% |
Male | 75% | 51% |
Education | Labourers in Mineral and Metal Processing | Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Less than high school | 26.4% | $27,339 | 22.9% | $21,011 |
High school | 43.3% | $19,371 | 38.1% | $28,358 |
Trades certificate | 10.8% | x | 12.4% | $37,356 |
College certificate or diploma | 16.4% | $24,908 | 20.3% | $36,968 |
University certificate or diploma | 0.9% | x | 1.1% | $35,915 |
Bachelor's degree | 1.8% | x | 4.4% | $36,852 |
University advanced certificate or diploma | 0.2% | x | 0.3% | $55,581 |
Master's degree | N/A | x | 0.5% | x |
Doctorate | 0.5% | x | N/A | $25,380 |
Medicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry | N/A | x | 0.1% | N/A |
Total | 100% | 100% |
Hourly earnings data are from the Labour Force Survey by Statistics Canada. Data are not available for all occupations. Hourly earnings are calculated based on usual hours worked per week. This is how an annual salary, for instance, gets converted to an hourly rate. The data include full and part-time workers along with new and experienced workers. Self-employed workers are excluded.
Annual employment income data reported in the Work Prospects section, are from the 2011 National Household Survey by Statistics Canada. Much of the data (around 70%) came directly from tax records. The data relates to the year 2010 and includes total wages and salaries and net income from self-employment.
Employment Requirements & Contacts
Training Paths & Education
This instructional program class comprises any program that defines the prescribed requirements, specified by the appropriate jurisdiction, for the completion of and graduation from a secondary school program of academic subject matter offered for adult learners outside of the regular secondary school program. This does not include adult compensatory education programs resulting in completion of a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.
There are no additional resources for this occupation.