National Occupational Classification (NOC): 85100
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
- Barn worker
- Bee farm worker
- Beef cattle farm worker
- Dairy farm worker
- Egg collector
- Farm hand - livestock
- Fur farm worker
- Hatchery helper - poultry
- Livestock weigher
- Stable worker
What do livestock labourers do?
Livestock labourers assist other farm workers to raise cattle, poultry and other animals, to help carry out feeding, health and breeding programs, to process animal products and to assist in the maintenance and repair of farm equipment and buildings. They are employed on livestock farms.
Livestock labourers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Feed and tend livestock, poultry and other animals
- Milk animals such as cows and goats, manually or with a machine
- Sort, brand and handle animals
- Maintain or assist in the maintenance of facilities and farm infrastructure including cleaning stables, barns, barnyards and pens
- Assist with breeding activities
- May monitor health of animals and provide care
- May prepare animals for transportation
- May operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment.
Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada
Livestock labourers work in the following subsectors (NAICS) in Newfoundland and Labrador:
- 111-112 Farms
- 115 Support activities for agriculture and forestry
- 311 Food manufacturing
- 713 Amusement, gambling and recreation industries
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
Short and Long Term Occupational Projections
Short Term Projections for 2023-2025
The employment outlook is undetermined for livestock labourers in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2023-2025 period due to low levels of employment.
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Long Term Projections for 2023-2032
Livestock labourers belong to the broader occupational group 85100, 85103 (Agriculture and horticulture workers). 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 16 public job postings for this occupation, with the following distribution:
| Avalon: 13% | Western: 50% |
| Eastern: 0% | Labrador: 19% |
| Central: 6% | NL-unspecified: 13% |
Source: Lightcast (note: data used in this analysis reflects new unique monthly postings which are totaled for the calendar year)
Who works as livestock labourers in Newfoundland and Labrador?
During the reference week of May 2021, there were approximately 210 people working in this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador. 69% of those employed were Male+ and 31% 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+ |
| 14% | 62% | 21% | 0% |
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
How much do livestock labourers make?
Annual Earnings
The median employment income for all livestock labourers in the reference year 2020 (255 workers in total, including those working part-time and full-time, as well as part-year and full-year) was $25,400.
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
Hourly Earnings
Salary information for livestock labourers in Newfoundland and Labrador is as follows:
| Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | N/A | $18.45 | N/A |
The following low, median, and high wages are for Canada:
| Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
| $14.00 | $18.60 | $28.85 |
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Most Frequently Sought Skills from Job Postings (2023)
- Dairy Farming
- Crop Harvesting
- Animal Handling
- Stock Farming
- Weed Control
- Customer Development
- Dairy Industry
- Animal Health
- Agriculture
- Underwriting
Source: Lightcast
What training is required?
- There are no specific education or training requirements.
- Progression to other livestock worker positions is possible with experience.
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.