Job prospects Material Handler in British Columbia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "material handler" 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 limited for Material handlers (NOC 75101) in British Columbia for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

• Worker retirements and increasing levels of online purchasing have supported demand for employment in transportation and warehousing.
• The job market for truck drivers remains relatively strong with Trucking HR noting tightening conditions in the labour market.

Here are some key facts about Material handlers in British Columbia:

• Approximately 29,400 people work in this occupation.
• Material handlers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): 19%
  • Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 18%
  • Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 14%
  • Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 6%
  • Truck transportation (NAICS 484): 6%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 83% compared to 78% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 17% compared to 22% for all occupations
• 59% of material handlers work all year, while 41% 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 41 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of material handlers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 81% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 19% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 16% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 49% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 9% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 11% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 12% 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 a "material handler" Material handlers (NOC 75101) or across Canada.

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