Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics
(NOC 2243)
in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information TechnologyIndustrial instrument technicians and mechanics repair, maintain, calibrate, adjust, and install industrial measuring and controlling instrumentation. They are employed by pulp and paper processing companies, nuclear and hydro power generating companies, mining, petrochemical and natural gas companies, industrial instrument and other manufacturing companies, and by industrial instrument servicing establishments.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
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Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common.
The median employment income for 35% of Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $90,304. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$28.00
Minimum$39.49
Median$66.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$38,448
Minimum$89,856
Median$173,425
MaximumCompared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
Hourly Pay
$17.69
Minimum$31.35
Median$47.18
MaximumAnnual Pay
$13,568
Minimum$60,422
Median$107,009
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics repair, maintain, calibrate, adjust, and install industrial measuring and controlling instrumentation. They are employed by pulp and paper processing companies, nuclear and hydro power generating companies, mining, petrochemical and natural gas companies, industrial instrument and other manufacturing companies, and by industrial instrument servicing establishments.
Job duties
Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics perform some or all of the following duties:
- Consult manufacturer's manuals, circuit diagrams and blueprints to determine tests and maintenance procedures for instruments used for measuring and controlling flow, level, pressure, temperature, chemical composition and other variables in manufacturing and processing.
- Inspect and test operation of instruments and systems to diagnose faults using pneumatic, electrical and electronic testing devices and precision measuring instruments.
- Repair and adjust system components, such as sensors, transmitters and programmable logic controllers, or remove and replace defective parts.
- Calibrate components and instruments according to manufacturers' specifications.
- Perform scheduled preventive maintenance work and complete test and maintenance reports.
- Install control and measurement instruments on existing and new plant equipment and processes.
- Consult with and advise process operators.
Sample job titles
- apprentice industrial instrument mechanic
- apprentice instrument mechanic
- heavy water plant control technician
- industrial instrument mechanic
- industrial instrument technician
- industrial process control equipment repairer
- instrument maintenance mechanic
- instrumentation and control technician
- process control equipment mechanic
- process control equipment repairer
Skills
For these jobs, you should be interested in technology and discovering how things work. Good mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and patience are necessary. You must be able to work under pressure and be able to collaborate and cooperate with others as part of a team. Effective oral and written communication skills are also important.
Job requirements
- Completion of high school is usually required.
- Completion of a four- or five-year apprenticeship program in industrial instrument repair or completion of a two-year college program in industrial instrumentation technology and several years of work experience are usually required for trade certification.
- Instrumentation and control technician trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia.
- Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) is also available to qualified instrumentation and control technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Other considerations
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Cape Breton
Halifax
Northern
Southern
Annapolis Valley
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
Northern
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Utilities
Paper Manufacturing
Construction
Oil and Gas Extraction
Professional Business Services
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
15-24
Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
35-44
45-54
55-64
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
College certificate or diploma
$49,566 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$51,731 median annual incomeHigh school
$45,835 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$38,852 median annual incomeDoctorate
N/ACompared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
College certificate or diploma
$52,476 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$58,011 median annual incomeHigh school
$35,125 median annual incomeMaster's degree
$37,706 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$54,923 median annual incomeEducation & training
Electrical, electronic and communications engineering technology/technician
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of electrical, electronics and communication engineers. These programs include courses in electrical circuitry, prototype development and testing; systems analysis and testing, systems maintenance, instrument calibration, and report preparation.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 550, 1 Main Street
Springhill, NS B0M 1X0
(902) 597-3737
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Electromechanical and instrumentation and maintenance technologies/technicians - Other
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program not listed above that relates to Electromechanical and Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
Industrial electronics technology/technician
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to assemble, install, operate, maintain, and repair electrical/electronic equipment used in industry and manufacturing. These programs include courses in installing, maintaining and testing various types of equipment.
Institutions providing this program
Department of Labour and Advanced Education 2021 Brunswick Street, PO Box 578
Halifax, NS B3J 2S9
(800) 494-5651
Instrumentation technology/technician
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in developing control and measurement systems and procedures. These programs include courses in instrumentation design and maintenance, calibration, design and production testing and scheduling, automated equipment functions, applications to specific industrial tasks, and report preparation.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This job is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, however, a certificate is not needed to legally work in this job.