National Occupational Classification (NOC): 75110
Fast Facts
- Average Pay: N/A
- Future Growth: N/A
- Skill Level: N/A
- Employment Size: N/A
- Unemployment: N/A
- Full-time Share: N/A
Sample Job Titles
- Asphalt spreader
- Bricklayer helper
- Carpenter helper
- Concrete mixer helper
- Concrete paving labourer
- Demolition worker
- Driller helper - surface mining
- Drywall sander
- Excavation labourer
- Flagman/woman
What do construction trades helpers and labourers do?
Construction trades helpers and labourers assist skilled tradespersons and perform labouring activities at construction sites, in quarries and in surface mines. They are employed by construction companies, trade and labour contractors, and surface mine and quarry operators.
Construction trades helpers and labourers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Load and unload construction materials, and move materials to work areas
- Erect and dismantle concrete forms, scaffolding, ramps, catwalks, shoring and barricades required at construction sites
- Mix, pour and spread materials such as concrete and asphalt
- Assist tradespersons such as carpenters, bricklayers, cement finishers, roofers and glaziers in construction activities
- Assist heavy equipment operators to secure special attachments to equipment, signal operators to guide them in moving equipment and provide assistance in other activities
- Assist in aligning pipes and perform related activities during oil and gas pipeline construction
- Assist in drilling and blasting rock at construction sites
- Assist miners in excavating and in setting up and operating various drills and other surface mining machinery
- Level earth to fine grade specifications using rake and shovel
- Assist in demolishing buildings using prying bars and other tools, and sort, clean and pile salvaged materials
- Remove rubble and other debris at construction sites using rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows and other equipment
- Operate pneumatic hammers, vibrators and tampers as directed
- Tend or feed machines or equipment used in construction such as mixers, compressors and pumps
- Clean up chemical spills and other contaminants, and remove asbestos and other hazardous materials
- Oil and grease hoists and similar equipment
- Direct traffic at or near construction sites
- Perform other activities at construction sites, as directed.
Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada
Construction trades helpers and labourers primarily work in the following subsectors (NAICS) in Newfoundland and Labrador:
- 236 Construction of buildings
- 238 Specialty trade contractors
- 237 Heavy and civil engineering construction
- 913 Local, municipal and regional public administration
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
Short and Long Term Occupational Projections
Short Term Projections for 2023-2025
The employment outlook will be moderate for construction trades helpers and labourers in Newfoundland and Labrador (rating of 3 out of 5) for the 2023-2025 period.
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Long Term Projections for 2023-2032
Construction trades helpers and labourers belong to the broader occupational group 7511 (Trades helpers and labourers). This group is forecast to be balanced (rating of 1.8 out of 4) over the next several years, meaning projected labour supply is expected to meet forecasted job openings.
Source: Department of Finance, Occupation Projections (Summer 2023)
Number of Job Postings in 2023
During 2023, there were 231 public job postings for this occupation, with the following distribution:
| Avalon: 69% | Western: 9% |
| Eastern: 5% | Labrador: 5% |
| Central: 10% | NL-unspecified: 1% |
Source: Lightcast (note: data used in this analysis reflects new unique monthly postings which are totaled for the calendar year)
Who works as construction trades helpers and labourers in Newfoundland and Labrador?
During the reference week of May 2021, there were approximately 2,205 people working in this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador. 93% of those employed were Male+ and 7% of those employed were Female+.
Here is the age group breakdown for this group of workers:
| 15 to 24 | 25 to 54 | 55 to 64 | 65+ |
| 9% | 59% | 28% | 3% |
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
How much do construction trades helpers and labourers make?
Annual Earnings
The median employment income for all construction trades helpers and labourers in the reference year 2020 (4,475 workers in total, including those working part-time and full-time, as well as part-year and full-year) was $21,000.
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
Hourly Earnings
Salary information for construction trades helpers and labourers in Newfoundland and Labrador is as follows:
| Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $15.00 | $20.00 | $35.00 |
The following low, median, and high wages are for Canada:
| Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
| $16.00 | $23.00 | $35.00 |
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Most Frequently Sought Skills from Job Postings (2023)
- Construction
- Carpentry
- Hand Tools
- Machinery
- Painting
- Power Tool Operation
- Mowing
- Concrete Forming
- Landscaping
- Renovation
Source: Lightcast
What training is required?
- Some experience as a general construction labourer may be required for construction trade helpers.
- Some pipeline workers, such as stabbers, mandrel operators and pre-heater tenders, usually require one season of experience in oil and gas pipeline construction.
- Flagmen/women may require a traffic control certificate.
- Riggers and slingers may require a rigging certificate.
- On-the-job training may be provided.
- Mobility is possible among workers in this unit group.
- Progression from rigger to crane operator is possible with experience and additional certification.
Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada
* Find public and private education, training and skills development opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador here.