Boat Assemblers and Inspectors

(NOC 9531)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Boat assemblers assemble wooden, fibreglass and metal boats like sailboats, motorboats, canoes and cabin cruisers. Boat inspectors check assembled boats to make sure they meet product quality. They work for boat and marine craft manufacturing companies.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 75 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

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

$16.00

Minimum

$24.04

Median

$36.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$12,096

Minimum

$32,456

Median

$81,071

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

Boat assemblers assemble wooden, fibreglass and metal boats like sailboats, motorboats, canoes and cabin cruisers. Boat inspectors check assembled boats to make sure they meet product quality. They work for boat and marine craft manufacturing companies.

Job duties

Boat assemblers:

  • Cut, shape and join timber pieces or assemble pre-cut timber pieces to make a wooden boat using hand and power tools.
  • Assemble prefabricated parts and sections of fibreglass, metal or other material to form complete boat.
  • Caulk decks and hulls using caulking gun.
  • Install trims, rudders, seats, engine mounts and other accessories using hand tools.
  • May repair boats.

Boat inspectors:

  • Inspect assembled boats for defects and conformance to quality standards.
  • Mark defects to be repaired.
  • Make minor adjustments and repairs.
  • Record information on products inspected.

Sample job titles

  • boat assembler
  • boat assembly inspector
  • boat assembly repairer
  • boat inspector
  • boat motor installer
  • outboard motor installer-fitter

Skills

  • These jobs need mechanical skill and physical fitness. Good spatial perception, form perception, and hand-eye coordination are important. You must be accurate and pay close attention to detail.

Job requirements

  • Some high school education may be required.
  • Completion of college or other courses in boat building may be required.
  • On-the-job training is provided.

Other considerations

  • Experience as a helper or labourer in the same company may be required for boat assemblers while experience as a boat assembler may be required for boat inspectors. Movement to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

325

employed in 2016

93.9%

employed full-time

10.6%

self employed

15.2%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
84.8%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
45

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?

48.5%

Southern

$25,970 median annual income
34.8%

Halifax

$68,695 median annual income
7.6%

North Shore

N/A
4.5%

Cape Breton

N/A
4.5%

Annapolis Valley

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

73.2%

Manufacturing

19.6%

Public administration

7.1%

Retail trade

What is the age of Employment?

28.0%

45-54

20.0%

35-44

18.0%

55-64

17.0%

25-34

14.0%

15-24

3.0%

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

37.9%

Less than high school

$26,340 median annual income
24.2%

Trade Certification

$48,459 median annual income
19.7%

High school

$26,587 median annual income
16.7%

College Diploma

$22,322 median annual income

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

Marine Maintenance/Fitter and Ship Repair Technician

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair outboard and inboard engines, test, maintain, and repair steering devices and electrical systems, repair hulls and vessel components, make and maintain sails, and repair and balance propellers and drive shafts.

Institutions providing this program

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association
Dartmouth, NS

Additional resources