National Occupational Classification (NOC): 84120
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
- Artificial inseminator
- Baler - agriculture
- Cattle herdsperson
- Cultivator operator
- Custom combine operator
- Custom harvest crewperson
- Custom harvester
- Farm machinery operator
- Grain custom harvester
- Tractor operator - farm
What do specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators do?
Specialized livestock workers carry out feeding, health and breeding programs on dairy, beef, sheep, poultry, swine and other livestock farms. Farm machinery operators operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment. They are employed on crop, livestock, fruit, vegetable and specialty farms.
Specialized livestock workers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Perform or assist in performing animal husbandry activities
- Implement pasture or pen breeding programs
- Develop and implement feeding programs
- Follow safety and bio-security procedures
- Detect and treat certain diseases and health problems in livestock
- Maintain livestock performance records
- Select livestock for sale
- Set and monitor water lines, air flow and temperature in barns, pens and chicken coops
- Train horses
- Maintain inventory and order materials as required
- May be responsible for the collection of semen and the insemination of donor females
- May supervise general farm labourers.
Farm machinery operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate farm equipment and machinery to till soil, plant, cultivate and harvest crops, and load and unload crops or containers of materials
- Perform equipment and machinery maintenance
- Monitor equipment and machinery operations to detect malfunctions
- Follow safety procedures
- May perform minor repairs to farm equipment and machinery.
Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada
Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators work in the following subsectors (NAICS) in Newfoundland and Labrador:
- 111-112 Farms
- 238 Specialty trade contractors
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
Short and Long Term Occupational Projections
Short Term Projections for 2023-2025
The employment outlook is undetermined for specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators 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
Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators belong to the broader occupational group 8203, 84120 (Contractors and supervisors, agriculture, horticulture and related operations and services). This group is forecast to be balanced (rating of 2.2 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 26 public job postings for this occupation, with the following distribution:
| Avalon: 46% | Western: 38% |
| Eastern: 4% | Labrador: 8% |
| Central: 0% | NL-unspecified: 4% |
Source: Lightcast (note: data used in this analysis reflects new unique monthly postings which are totaled for the calendar year)
Who works as specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators in Newfoundland and Labrador?
During the reference week of May 2021, there were approximately 140 people working in this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador. 79% of those employed were Male+ and 21% 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+ |
| 7% | 68% | 21% | 0% |
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
How much do specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators make?
Annual Earnings
The median employment income for all specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators in the reference year 2020 (245 workers in total, including those working part-time and full-time, as well as part-year and full-year) was $20,600.
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada
Hourly Earnings
Salary information for specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators in Newfoundland and Labrador is as follows:
| Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | n/a | $23.08 | n/a |
The following low, median, and high wages are for Canada:
| Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
| $14.00 | $20.00 | $29.00 |
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Most Frequently Sought Skills from Job Postings (2023)
- Farm Equipment
- Machinery
- Animal Health
- Health Impact Assessments
- Animal Handling
- Poultry
- Irrigation (Landscaping And Agriculture)
- Biosecurity
- Document Management
- Crop Harvesting
Source: Lightcast
What training is required?
- Specialized livestock workers may require a college certificate or other specialized training in agriculture or livestock husbandry.
- There are no specific education or training requirements for farm machinery operators. However, a college certificate or specialized courses related to farming, such as farm equipment mechanics, agricultural welding and pesticide application, are available.
- Basic farm knowledge, usually obtained from working on a family farm, may be required for employment.
- A course or certificate in first aid may be required.
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.