Job prospects Freight Truck Driver in British Columbia

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Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "freight truck driver" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be good for Transport truck drivers (NOC 73300) in British Columbia for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

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

Due to an ageing workforce, a homogenous hiring pool, persistent turnover and the need for higher standards in regard to human resources management, the industry has struggled to attract a sufficient number of drivers.

There has been a reported shortage of Transport truck drivers since before the global pandemic in 2020. Trucking HR projects that 10,300 drivers will have to be recruited and trained nationally by 2030.

Projected economic growth over the forecast period, including improved levels of business and consumer spending in support of the transportation and warehousing sector, should support demand for this occupation.

Here are some key facts about Transport truck drivers in British Columbia:

• Approximately 38,700 people work in this occupation.
• Transport truck drivers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Truck transportation (NAICS 484): 51%
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 8%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 92% compared to 78% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 8% compared to 22% for all occupations
• 61% of transport truck drivers work all year, while 39% 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 44 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• 26% of transport truck drivers 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: 22% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 46% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 14% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 9% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 6% 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