Job prospects Backhoe Mechanic in Ontario

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

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Moderate

The employment outlook will be moderate for Heavy-duty equipment mechanics (NOC 72401) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 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 a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

Employed across various industries with the largest number in machinery and equipment wholesale, construction, and repair and maintenance services
A smaller number work in agriculture, mining and manufacturing

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

Favourable levels of construction activity led by infrastructure investments in transit, power, and highways and bridges, will support service and maintenance work for heavy-duty equipment mechanics
Demand for new housing to meet population growth, including the construction of multi-unit buildings in some of Ontario’s largest urban centres
Investments in manufacturing and mining, may create opportunities at wholesalers of new and used equipment
Continuous need to service equipment in farming, forestry, waste management and snow clearing

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

There are three voluntary skilled trades associated with this occupation in Ontario, named, Agricultural Equipment Technician, Heavy-Duty Equipment Technician, and Hydraulic/Pneumatic Mechanic

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

In northern Ontario, the mining industry is a major source of work for mechanics.

Here are some key facts about Heavy-duty equipment mechanics in Ontario:

Approximately 13,100 people work in this occupation.
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics mainly work in the following sectors:
- Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 22%
- Construction (NAICS 23): 17%
- Repair and maintenance (NAICS 811): 16%
- Real Estate and rental and leasing (NAICS 53): 8%
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 8%
74% of heavy-duty equipment mechanics work all year, while 26% 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 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
10% of heavy-duty equipment mechanics are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations
- Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: 8% compared to 9% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 17% compared to 25% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 37% compared to 8% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 36% 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

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Location	Job prospects
Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula Region	Moderate
Kingston–Pembroke Region	Good
Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie Region	Moderate
London Region	Moderate
Muskoka–Kawarthas Region	Moderate
Northeast Region	Moderate
Northwest Region	Moderate
Ottawa Region	Good
Stratford–Bruce Peninsula Region	Moderate
Toronto Region	Good
Windsor-Sarnia Region	Moderate