Longshore Workers

(NOC 7451)

in All Trades and Transportation

Longshore workers transfer cargo throughout dock area and onto and from ships and other vessels. They work for marine cargo handling companies, shipping agencies and shipping lines.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 65 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

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.

Hourly Pay

$20.00

Minimum

$35.00

Median

$43.50

Maximum

Annual Pay

$10,401

Minimum

$50,979

Median

$116,101

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

Longshore workers transfer cargo throughout dock area and onto and from ships and other vessels. They work for marine cargo handling companies, shipping agencies and shipping lines.

Job duties

Longshore workers:

  • Use industrial trucks, tractors, and other mobile equipment to transfer cargo like containers, crated items, automobiles, and pallet-mounted machinery around dock to within range of cranes and hoists.
  • Use winches or other hoisting devices to load and unload cargo onto and from ships and other vessels.
  • Use mechanical towers to load vessels with materials like coal and ore.
  • Use equipment to transfer bulk materials like grain to hold of vessels.
  • Connect hoses and use equipment to transfer liquid materials into storage tanks on vessels.
  • Carry out other activities like lashing and shoring cargo aboard ships, opening and closing hatches, cleaning holds of ships, and rigging cargo.

Sample job titles

  • boat loader
  • dock hand
  • dockworker
  • longshore worker
  • ship loader operator
  • stevedore
  • tanker loader
  • wharfperson - marine cargo handling

Skills

  • You should have good health, physical stamina, and strength. Agility, coordination, and a mechanical aptitude would be helpful. You must be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

  • Some high school education may be required.
  • On-the-job training is provided.

Other considerations

  • Movement to foreman/woman or supervisor of longshore workers is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

545

employed in 2016

73.1%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

6.5%
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93.5%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
52.8

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%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

49.5%

Halifax

$59,637 median annual income
20.7%

Cape Breton

$50,512 median annual income
13.5%

North Shore

$14,960 median annual income
9.0%

Annapolis Valley

$59,818 median annual income
7.2%

Southern

$47,120 median annual income

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

100.0%

Transportation and warehousing

What is the age of Employment?

33.0%

55-64

23.0%

45-54

18.0%

35-44

11.0%

25-34

10.0%

65+

5.0%

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

30.3%

High school

$41,040 median annual income
23.9%

Less than high school

$46,661 median annual income
20.2%

College Diploma

$51,838 median annual income
20.2%

Trade Certification

$59,436 median annual income
4.6%

Bachelor

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

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

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Halifax Longshoremen's Association
Halifax, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.