Job prospects Operator, Skidder - Logging in British Columbia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "operator, skidder - logging" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Chain saw and skidder operators (NOC 84110) in British Columbia for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

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

• Employment in forestry related professions has been declining year-over-year, with significant fluctuations month-to-month. A number of curtailments at wood manufacturing facilities has lowered demand for these occupations. The industry continues to face a number of challenges that will continue to inhibit stable job growth.

Here are some key facts about Chain saw and skidder operators in British Columbia:

• Approximately 1,550 people work in this occupation.
• Chain saw and skidder operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Forestry and logging (NAICS 113, 1153): 76%
  • Wood product manufacturing (NAICS 321): 5%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 88% compared to 78% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 12% compared to 22% for all occupations
• 31% of chain saw and skidder operators work all year, while 69% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 37 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• 37% of chain saw and skidder operators are self-employed compared to an average of 17% 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: 32% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 40% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 18% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 6% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in British Columbia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "operator, skidder - logging" Chain saw and skidder operators (NOC 84110) or across Canada.

Learn more