Drillers - surface mining, quarrying and construction
Drillers operate mobile drilling machines to bore blast holes in open-pit mines and quarries and to bore holes for blasting and for building foundations at construction sites.
Moderate
Market Demand
TEER 3
Skill Level
ON, BC, MB
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Drive and operate tracked or truck-mounted rotary drilling, air-track or other drilling machines to bore large blast holes to specified depths at staked positions in open-pit mine or quarry
- Operate drilling machines to drill blast holes in rock at road or other construction sites
- Operate tracked or truck-mounted drill equipped with auger or other attachment to drill holes for building foundations or pilings
- May measure location and stake out pattern of holes to be drilled, load blast holes with explosives and detonate explosives to dislodge coal, ore or rock.
Qualifications
- checkCompletion of secondary school is usually required.
- checkOn-the-job training is provided.
- checkExperience as a heavy equipment operator may be required for drillers.
Market Outlook by Province
Ontario
The employment outlook will be Moderate for drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction (NOC 73402) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.Here are some key facts about drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction in Ontario: Approximately 1,350 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction mainly work in the following sectors: Construction (NAICS 23): 51%Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 38% 56% of drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction work all year, while 44% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 16% compared to 9% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 42% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 19% compared to 8% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 20% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
British Columbia
The employment outlook will be Limited for drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction (NOC 73402) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.British Columbia has extensive mineral reserves and key projects targeting essential metals and minerals; the growth of the mining sector is driven by demand for critical minerals that are essential for electric vehicles (EVs) and green technologies (such as lithium and copper) and the price of precious metals (such as gold). Over the forecast period from 2025 to 2027, uncertainty related to international trade policies could influence growth in the province's mining industry; in response, both the federal and provincial governments are seeking to fast-track major mining projects to mitigate these challenges. Looking ahead, new mining projects in the North Coast/Nechako, Kootenay, and Thompson-Okanagan economic regions could begin operations later in the forecast period (2027).Here are some key facts about drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction in British Columbia: Approximately 700 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction mainly work in the following sectors: Construction (NAICS 23): 57%Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 27%Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 8% 47% of drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction work all year, while 53% 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 40 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 20% compared to 8% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 43% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 26% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 9% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
Limited
Outlook
Manitoba
The employment outlook will be Limited for drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction (NOC 73402) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities tend to be more favourable during the summer months.Here are some key facts about drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction in Manitoba: Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction mainly work in the following sectors: Construction (NAICS 23): 72%Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 25% 74% of drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction work all year, while 26% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 23% compared to 12% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 63% compared to 31% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 7% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Limited
Outlook
Find out if demand for this role is strong near you
See outlook data across all 5 provinces and territories.
Immigration Pathways
TEER 3 occupations require college or vocational training and qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Express Entry (FSTP)
Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Programs
Need an LMIA-ready resume for this role?
Get a resume tailored to NOC 73402 with LMIA compliance formatting and employer-specific keywords.
Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 73402 openings right now.
Dyno Nobel
4 active roles · Greenstone, ON · Corner Brook, NL
Discovery Silver
4 active roles · Timmins, ON · Chapleau, ON
Kinross Gold
3 active roles · Red Lake, ON
Newmont
3 active roles · Iskut, BC
Epiroc in your region | Epiroc
3 active roles · Pitt Meadows, BC · Mississauga, ON
Agnico Eagle Mines
2 active roles · Rankin Inlet, NU
See which companies are actively sponsoring this role
Get employer insights, sponsorship history, and hiring trends for Drillers - surface mining, quarrying and construction positions.
Recent Job Postings
Jobs matching NOC 73402 posted in the last 30 days.
See Live Drillers - surface mining, quarrying and construction Jobs
Browse real-time job postings matching NOC 73402 across Canada — filtered to Drillers - surface mining, quarrying and construction roles, including visa-sponsored and LMIA-approved positions.
See Drillers - surface mining, quarrying and construction Jobs in Canadaarrow_forwardJob Boards
Search for Drillers - surface mining, quarrying and construction positions across Canada's top job platforms.
Job Bank
Government of Canada official job board
Search Drillers - surface mining, quarrying and constructionarrow_forwardIndeed Canada
Largest job search engine in Canada
Search Drillers - surface mining, quarrying and constructionarrow_forwardProfessional networking and job search
Search Drillers - surface mining, quarrying and constructionarrow_forwardGlassdoor
Jobs with salary and company reviews
Search Drillers - surface mining, quarrying and constructionarrow_forwardWorkopolis
Canadian job search platform
Search Drillers - surface mining, quarrying and constructionarrow_forwardMonster Canada
Global job board with Canadian listings
Search Drillers - surface mining, quarrying and constructionarrow_forwardGet an AI-optimized resume for this career
Our AI builds a resume specifically tailored to NOC 73402 (Drillers - surface mining, quarrying and construction) with the exact keywords and qualifications Canadian employers look for.
Upgrade to ProFind Drillers - surface mining, quarrying and construction Jobs in Canada
Browse open positions matching this career path and start your application today.
Search Jobs