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  5. Metalworking Machine Operators

Exploring Trades and Occupations

Metalworking Machine Operators

On this page

  • Job description
  • Advancement and mobility
  • Hourly wage
  • Job prospects for 2022-2026
  • Sectors of activity
  • Training and requirements
  • Main skills and characteristics
  • Personality profiles (RIASEC)
  • Additional information

Job description

These individuals shape sheet metal or steel parts to create metal shapes. They work for:

  • Sheet metal shops
  • Shipyards
  • Manufacturers of sheet metal or light metal products
  • Structural, boiler, and sheet steel manufacturers
  • Heavy machinery manufacturers
  • Metal products manufacturers
  • Machinery and transportation equipment manufacturers

Environment

  • Controlled ambient temperature
  • Equipment, machinery, tools
  • Odours
  • Hazardous workplaces
  • Noise
  • Falling objects

Main tasks

Light and Heavy Metalworking Machine Operators

  • Prepare, adjust, and operate machinery or equipment.
  • Weld, bolt, screw, or rivet metal parts.
  • Check the conformity of the products (shape, dimensions, etc.).
  • Investigate the cause of problems and carry out minor repairs.
  • Select and transport the material to the workplace.
  • Document the work completed, as required.
  • Construct and erect, as required, platforms or scaffolding according to the work to be done.
  • Clean and lubricate machinery and replace defective parts, as required.

Forming Machine Operators

  • Set the ovens to the desired temperature.
  • Place the parts in the oven and remove them when the colour of the metal indicates that it has reached the desired temperature.
  • Operate presses or other hot or cold forging machines to shape or form metal.
  • Place and adjust dies on the anvil of forming machines, as required.

Advancement and mobility

  • Experience leads to senior or supervisory positions.

Hourly wage

The hourly wage is calculated by averaging wages from 2019 to 2021.
Minimum
$15.00
Median
$20.50
Maximum
$27.50

Job prospects for 2022-2026

sr.comparaison-region.titre

Les 2 champs de sélection ci-dessous vous permettent de comparer 2 régions. Les données des régions seront automatiquement mises à jour à la sélection. Par défaut, la province de Québec est sélectionnée pour la première région.

Job prospects for 2022-2026

Job prospects

All of Québec

Non available
Limited
Good
Very good
Very good

All of Québec

Non available
Limited
Good
Very good
Non available

Total jobs for 2021

All of Québec

3,000

All of Québec

na

Gender distribution

All of Québec

Not available.
10.7% Female
89.3% Male

Not available.
  • 10.7% Female
  • 89.3% Male

Job types

All of Québec

Not available.
Full time
Part time

Not available.
  • Full time
  • Part time

Yearly wage on 2015

All of Québec

$41,000

All of Québec

Other characteristics

All of Québec

  • Non traditional for women
  • None

All of Québec

  • Non traditional for women
  • None

Sectors of activity

All of Québec

Not available.
  1. Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
    NAICS 332
    41% of jobs
  2. Primary Metal Manufacturing
    NAICS 331
    13% of jobs
  3. Machinery Manufacturing
    NAICS 333
    7% of jobs
  4. Wholesale Trade
    NAICS 41
    7% of jobs
  5. Other Transportation Equipment
    NAICS 336 [excluding 3364]
    5% of jobs
  6. Others
    27% of jobs

All of Québec

Not available.
  1. Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
    NAICS 332
    41% of jobs
  2. Primary Metal Manufacturing
    NAICS 331
    13% of jobs
  3. Machinery Manufacturing
    NAICS 333
    7% of jobs
  4. Wholesale Trade
    NAICS 41
    7% of jobs
  5. Other Transportation Equipment
    NAICS 336 [excluding 3364]
    5% of jobs
  6. Others
    27% of jobs