Job prospects Welder in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "welder" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106) in Ontario for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• The largest number work in the manufacturing industry for metal, transportation, and machinery producers
• A smaller number work for companies that provide commercial and industrial equipment repair, and as specialty trade contractors in the construction industry

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Steady levels of construction led by investments in transit, power, and highways and bridges, as well as multi-unit housing developments, will support opportunities in construction and the demand for metal building materials
• Ongoing activities to repair and upgrade existing buildings and infrastructure and service equipment
• Opportunities to support Ontario's large manufacturing base
• However, during the forecast period, some workers in this occupation are expected to be negatively impacted by the shift to electric vehicle production by automakers

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• There are two voluntary skilled trades associated with this occupation in Ontario, named, Welder and Pressure Systems Welder.

Here are some key facts about Welders and related machine operators in Ontario:

• Approximately 25,200 people work in this occupation.
• Welders and related machine operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Motor vehicle, body, trailer and parts manufacturing (NAICS 3361-3363): 17%
  • Repair and maintenance (NAICS 811): 15%
  • Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 14%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 12%
  • Machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333): 12%
• 64% of welders and related machine operators work all year, while 36% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 7% of welders and related machine operators are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 94% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 6% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 17% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 28% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 32% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 19% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "welder" in Ontario or across Canada.

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