Job prospects Firefighter in British Columbia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "firefighter" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

These outlooks were updated on November 29^th, 2023. Learn more about outlooks.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be very good for Firefighters (NOC 42101) in British Columbia for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
• High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

• Persistent shortages in this occupation are present throughout the province. An increasing number of retirements in this occupation are contributing to a shortage. Increasing wildfires and the B.C. Governments commitment to establishing a year-round force for the B.C. Wildfire service will further increase demand.

Here are some key facts about Firefighters in British Columbia:

• Approximately 5,200 people work in this occupation.
• Firefighters mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 85%
• 82% of firefighters work all year, while 18% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 95% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 5% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 23% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 36% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 21% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 15% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in British Columbia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "firefighter" Firefighters (NOC 42101) or across Canada.

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