Pulp Mill Machine Operators

(NOC 9432)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Pulp mill machine operators use and monitor processing machinery and equipment to make pulp. They work for pulp and paper companies.

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 Manufacturing and Utilities

  • Estimate 435 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1945 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$19.40

Minimum

$26.40

Median

$36.84

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$65,993

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Hourly Pay

$14.00

Minimum

$20.80

Median

$33.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,056

Minimum

$30,111

Median

$70,518

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Pulp mill machine operators use and monitor processing machinery and equipment to make pulp. They work for pulp and paper companies.

Job duties

Pulp mill machine operators:

  • Use and monitor pulp processing machinery and equipment.
  • Watch equipment and machinery panel indicators, gauges, level indicators and other equipment instruments to detect machinery and equipment malfunctions and make sure process steps followed.
  • Communicate with pulping control operator to make process changes and start up or shut down machinery and equipment as needed.
  • Collect processing samples and do titration tests, pH readings, specific density tests and other routine tests on pulp and solutions.
  • Complete and maintain production reports.

Sample job titles

  • assistant bleacher operator
  • assistant digester operator
  • cook - pulp and paper
  • cook's first helper
  • digester operator
  • field operator
  • grinderperson
  • refiner operator
  • repulper operator
  • screenperson
  • thermomechanical pulp operator

Skills

  • You should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and mechanical ability are important. You must be able to follow directions and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

  • High school is needed.
  • A college diploma in forest products processing or a related subject may be necessary.
  • Several weeks of formal company training and several months of on-the-job training is necessary.
  • Experience as a pulp mill labourer within the same company is usually needed.
  • A certificate in industrial first aid may be necessary.

Other considerations

  • These are largely rural jobs, and self-employment is not common. There is limited movement among jobs within this group. Movement to pulping control operator is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

< 50

employed in 2016

88.9%

employed full-time

22.2%

self employed

0.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
100%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
55.1

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

83.2%

employed full-time

3.2%

self employed

27.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
72.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

55.6%

North Shore

N/A
22.2%

Cape Breton

N/A
22.2%

Halifax

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

60.0%

Manufacturing

20.0%

Finance and insurance

20.0%

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

What is the age of Employment?

38.0%

45-54

38.0%

55-64

25.0%

65+

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

24.5%

45-54

20.8%

55-64

19.3%

35-44

16.5%

25-34

15.0%

15-24

Top levels of education

33.3%

High school

N/A
33.3%

College Diploma

N/A
22.2%

Less than high school

N/A
22.2%

Trade Certification

N/A

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

38.1%

High school

$28,505 median annual income
23.3%

Less than high school

$19,224 median annual income
19.9%

College Diploma

$38,781 median annual income
12.2%

Trade Certification

$43,975 median annual income
4.5%

Bachelor

$39,715 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

Natural Resources Management and Policy

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate programs to protect and regulate natural habitats and renewable natural resources. They include courses in the principles of wildlife and conservation biology, environmental science, animal population surveying, natural resource economics, management techniques for various habitats, applicable law and policy, administrative and communications skills, and public relations.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture

Truro, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Occupational Health and Safety Division
Halifax, NS
Forest Products Association of Canada
Ottawa, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.