Gas Fitters

(NOC 7253)

in All Trades and Transportation

Gas fitters (gas technicians) install, service and maintain gas-utilizing appliances, piping and equipment. There are two classes of Gas Fitter – Gas Fitter A and Gas Fitter B. Gas Fitter A installs, services and maintains any size of gas-utilizing appliances, piping and equipment. Gas Fitter B installs, services and maintains any size of gas-utilizing appliances, piping and equipment with an input rate of 400,000 Btu/h or less. They work for gas utility companies and, gas servicing companies, and propane suppliers.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

  • Estimate 4040 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 8425 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Outlook for gas fitters: undetermined - an outlook was not determined for this occupation due to the small number of workers in Nova Scotia.

Size of the occupation in Nova Scotia: small, with infrequent job opportunities.

Work hours: full-time, normally. Jobs are typically permanent positions.

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

$26,660

Minimum

$53,602

Median

$75,648

Maximum

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$24.00

Median

$37.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Gas fitters (gas technicians) install, service and maintain gas-utilizing appliances, piping and equipment. There are two classes of Gas Fitter – Gas Fitter A and Gas Fitter B. Gas Fitter A installs, services and maintains any size of gas-utilizing appliances, piping and equipment. Gas Fitter B installs, services and maintains any size of gas-utilizing appliances, piping and equipment with an input rate of 400,000 Btu/h or less. They work for gas utility companies and, gas servicing companies, and propane suppliers.

Job duties

Gas fitters:

  • Study drawings and specifications to determine the layout of the installation and materials required.
  • Measure and mark reference points for installation of gas lines and equipment.
  • Install and maintain gas meters and regulators and gas lines between gas unit and gas meter.
  • Install, maintain and service gas heating units and their components like burners, valves, and automatic controls.
  • Test and replace defective equipment or components.
  • Test and adjust control mechanisms and check pipes and piping connections for gas leaks using gas detecting devices.
  • Attend to gas escape calls and assist in the investigation of gas fires and explosions.
  • Prepare reports on work performed and condition of facilities.
  • Advise clients regarding standards, safety features and maintenance of gas units and systems.
  • May repair and service gas appliances and related equipment.

Sample job titles

  • apprentice gas fitter
  • gas fitter
  • gas fitter-installer
  • gas pipefitter
  • gas technician

Skills

  • mechanical, electrical and electronic aptitude
  • manual dexterity
  • problem solving skills
  • patience
  • ability to follow instructions
  • ability to deal courteously with customers
  • ability to work with little direction or supervision
  • agile and coordinated
  • ability to work well with others

Job requirements

  • High school or equivalent (usually).
  • Training through a one-level Class A, 1,800-hour or two-level Class B, 3,600-hour apprenticeship program: to become an apprentice you first need to have a job - enter an apprenticeship agreement either directly through an employer or after graduating from a college-level pre-apprenticeship program; learn on the job, mentored by a certified journeyperson who signs off on skills in a logbook.
  • Trade Qualifier option, 2,700 hours Class A or 5,400 hours Class B and other criteria.
  • Certification for gas fitters is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
  • Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for gas fitters.
  • Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.
  • Obtain a Fuel Safety Technician licence from Technical Safety. A Gasfitter A or Gasfitter B Certificate of Qualification is required to apply for a licence.

Other considerations

  • Setting: both indoors and outdoors, sometimes in cramped or awkward positions. The work is physically demanding.
  • Risks: there is some risk of injury when working with explosive gases and power tools.
  • Work hours: 40-hour week with overtime sometimes required.
  • Experienced gasfitters may advance to supervisory positions like foreperson, maintenance manager, or service manager or start their own business.
  • Apprentices usually earn a percentage of the journeyperson (fully qualified) rate. This percentage increases as each level of the apprenticeship program is completed.
  • Everyone has fair access to participate and succeed in the apprenticeship system. Everyone who develops the necessary skills and abilities should be able to succeed in the trades and trade qualification system. Work environments in the province support women and equity-seeking communities.

By the numbers

Quick look

175

employed in 2016

94.3%

employed full-time

11.4%

self employed

0.0%
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100%
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40.5

median age

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

57,925

employed in 2016

85.9%

employed full-time

11.8%

self employed

5.3%
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94.7%
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46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

42.9%

Halifax

$55,311 median annual income
20.0%

North Shore

$48,048 median annual income
14.3%

Cape Breton

N/A
11.4%

Annapolis Valley

N/A
11.4%

Southern

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

34.5%

Retail trade

31.0%

Construction

10.3%

Wholesale trade

10.3%

Professional, scientific and technical services

6.9%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

What is the age of Employment?

29.0%

45-54

26.0%

35-44

23.0%

25-34

11.0%

55-64

11.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

24.4%

45-54

22.1%

55-64

17.7%

35-44

17.7%

25-34

10.9%

15-24

Top levels of education

57.1%

Trade Certification

$54,159 median annual income
31.4%

College Diploma

$55,429 median annual income
5.7%

High school

N/A

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

29.2%

Trade Certification

$46,494 median annual income
25.5%

High school

$31,260 median annual income
22.3%

College Diploma

$42,050 median annual income
18.7%

Less than high school

$28,319 median annual income
2.8%

Bachelor

$30,527 median annual income

Education & training

Apprenticeship - Gas Fitter A/B

Apprenticeship Program

Apprenticeship is a structured training program leading to certification in the skilled trades. An apprenticeship combines supervised on-the-job training and experience with theoretical technical training. You find a job in your trade first and then enter into an apprenticeship agreement. You work the required hours mentored by a certified journeyperson and gain the required skills and knowledge. You also take some technical courses. The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency administers the trades training and certification system.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter - Pre-apprenticeship College Program

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to design, install, and test industrial and commercial piping systems and automatic fire and exposure protection systems. They include courses in water systems, steam systems, heating and cooling systems, lubricating systems, piping materials, installation tools operation and maintenance, valve installation and repair, technical mathematics, blueprint interpretation, and applicable codes and standards.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

UA 56 Pipe Trades Career College Inc.

Dartmouth, NS

Trade Qualifier

Trades Program

The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency also offers a path to trades certification outside of a formal apprenticeship agreement with a qualified journeyperson. This option includes a set amount of required hours of related experience in the trade, passing a certification exam, and other criteria. Contact the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency for more details.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Fuel Safety Technician

Licence: A licence is required to carry out the regulated work of a gas technician. A Gasfitter A or Gasfitter B Certificate of Qualification is required to apply for a licence.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Technical Safety Division
Halifax, NS
Gas Fitter

Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, but a certificate is not needed to legally work in this trade.

Regulating body:
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Halifax, NS

Contacts

Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada - Atlantic
Halifax, NS