Public Works and Maintenance Labourers

(NOC 7621)

in All Trades and Transportation

Public works and maintenance labourers do a variety of labouring activities to maintain sidewalks, streets, roads and similar areas. They work for public works departments in all levels of government or by private contractors under contract to governments.

Job Outlook

Average

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  • Estimate Weak growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 60 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

$14.50

Minimum

$21.00

Median

$36.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,016

Minimum

$31,436

Median

$58,797

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

Public works and maintenance labourers do a variety of labouring activities to maintain sidewalks, streets, roads and similar areas. They work for public works departments in all levels of government or by private contractors under contract to governments.

Job duties

Public works and maintenance labourers:

  • Clean and maintain sidewalks, streets, roads and public grounds of a city or town and other areas, working as member of crew.
  • Sweep litter and remove snow from streets, sidewalks, building grounds and other areas, and load snow and debris into carts or trucks.
  • Shovel cement and other materials into cement mixers, spread concrete and asphalt on road surfaces using shovels, rakes and hand tampers, and complete other activities to help in maintenance and repair of roads.
  • Spread sand or salt on sidewalks for snow and ice control.
  • Dig ditches and trenches using shovels and other hand tools.
  • Use jackhammers and drills to break up pavement.
  • Load and unload trucks with supplies and equipment.
  • Collect money from coin boxes of parking meters along established route.
  • Collect and load trash on garbage trucks.
  • Help equipment operators to secure attachments to equipment or trucks.
  • Help with regular equipment maintenance and repair.
  • Help skilled tradespersons like carpenters, plumbers and mechanics.
  • May use mobile sidewalk-cleaning equipment.

Sample job titles

  • helper - garbage collection
  • garbage truck loader
  • municipal labourer
  • parking meter collector
  • public works labourer
  • road maintenance worker
  • sewer maintenance worker
  • sidewalk cleaner

Skills

  • You need good health, physical stamina, and strength. Agility, coordination, and a mechanical ability would be helpful. You must be able to take direction and be able to follow instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

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

Other considerations

  • Most people in these jobs work full-time, but often for only part of the year. Movement to supervisor positions or to public works maintenance equipment operator positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

890

employed in 2016

84.2%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

9.6%
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90.4%
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45.5

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%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

32.0%

Halifax

$29,366 median annual income
25.3%

North Shore

$29,332 median annual income
20.2%

Cape Breton

$32,132 median annual income
13.5%

Annapolis Valley

$39,661 median annual income
9.0%

Southern

$28,342 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

41.1%

Public administration

34.7%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

8.9%

Construction

5.6%

Utilities

2.4%

Transportation and warehousing

What is the age of Employment?

27.0%

55-64

20.0%

15-24

17.0%

45-54

15.0%

35-44

14.0%

25-34

7.0%

65+

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

45.8%

High school

$28,933 median annual income
23.7%

Less than high school

$28,218 median annual income
19.8%

Trade Certification

$44,091 median annual income
7.3%

College Diploma

$40,132 median annual income
2.3%

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

No contacts were found under this occupation profile

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.