Median Salary: $104,000
Salary Growth (2009–2015): +19%
Total Employees: 11,700
Change in Employees (2009–2015): +44%
Job Description:
This group of managers work in Canada’s natural resources sector, overseeing the operations of facilities like mines, lumber mills and fisheries. Mining and forestry managers spend some of their time outdoors inspecting ground operations. They’re responsible for hiring and training new personnel, and reporting progress to senior management. The main goal of a person in this position is to make sure production quotas are met and the site is adequately staffed and equipped through careful planning.
Job Qualifications:
Experience is highly valued in these positions. The typical manager has worked in the mining or forestry industry for several years and has prior experience in a supervisory role. Education-wise, mining managers typically have a degree in mining engineering or earth sciences, and oil and gas managers typically have a degree in geology, earth sciences or petroleum engineering.
Salary:
Six-figure incomes are not uncommon for these positions, with median salaries currently topping $104,000. The field has seen some turmoil recently amid lower commodity prices, but salaries remain comparatively high. Operational managers help increase natural resource companies’ margins and make safety and environment improvements, so they’re better placed to weather downturns than entry-level workers .
Career Opportunity:
Job prospects vary depending on the field. Overall, a slight increase is anticipated over the next few years in mining and forestry. The former sector is expected to experience sharp growth courtesy a recent increase in exploration, which should continue to have a positive effect in the next few years, according to Statistics Canada. Job growth in the forestry industry should also increase slightly from a modest hike in demand for wood products.