Career Categories Below this heading you will see a row of icons and names. This navigation allows you to view all the careers within a single category. When you choose a different category it will become highlighted.

Return to Career Journey By clicking the Return to Career Journey button you will be taken back to the start of this journey so you may make different choices and discover new career opportunities.

Instrument Technician Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work outdoors icon that represents where Instrument Technician work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Instrument Technician. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Instrument Technician click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

Career Categories

Return to Career Journey
Equipment Maintenance

Instrument Technician

work outdoors

Instrument technicians install, maintain and repair the measuring and control instruments used in industrial and commercial processing

Is this a career that interests you?

  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; Science; English; Chemistry; Physics

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Pulp and paper processing; Hydro power generation; Mining; Petrochemical and natural gas; Industrial and commercial manufacturing; Industrial Construction; Industrial instrument servicing.

  • DutiesDetails

    Instrument technicians:

    • Work with equipment to measure pressure, temperature, flow, level, etc. of different materials moving through pipes and valves.
    • Consult manuals to figure out which test and repair steps to follow.
    • Use different kinds of testing devices to inspect and test equipment and system operation.
    • Work with and advise process operators.
    • Repair, maintain and adjust parts.
    • Remove and replace damaged parts.
    • Write reports about risks.
    • Adjust and maintain parts and instruments.
    • Work with engineers on basic design.
    • Install and maintain instruments.
    • Must be able to read and use appropriate CSA, ISA and API installation standards and practices.
    • Train other apprentices.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • Large shops.
      • Production plants.
      • Noisy, dusty, shops.
      • Very cold or very warm spaces.
      • High spaces.
      • Cramped spaces.
      • Working with radiation devices.
      • Working with laser equipment.
      • Risk of injury working with.
        • Dangerous chemicals.
        • Substances under pressure.
        • Substances at high temperatures.
    • Outdoors
      • Working on rig sites.

    Hours:

    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
    • May work shift work.
    • May be on call at night and/or on weekends.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • Up to 20 kilograms.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Attention to detail.
    • Good communication and reading skills.
    • Work well with hands.
    • Patience.
    • Good math skills.
    • Good science skills.
    • Mechanical ability.
    • Able to keep up with new technology.
    • Enjoy working alone.
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.
    • Your employer believes your skills and knowledge are the same as a certified journeyperson.
    • You are self-employed in this trade.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • English Language Arts 20-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 30-3 or equivalent.
    • Physics 30.
    • Chemistry 30.
    • or able to pass the entrance exam.
    • An employer willing to train you.
    • If you already have training or work experience in this trade, it might count towards certification.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 4 years.
    • 1st Year: 1500 work hours + 8 weeks classroom training.
    • 2nd Year: 1500 work hours + 8 weeks classroom training.
    • 1st Year: 1500 work hours + 8 weeks classroom training.
    • 4th Year: 1500 work hours + 8 weeks classroom training.
    • May take the Red Seal exam to work throughout most of Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Engineering technicians.
    • Sales positions.
    • Supervisory positions.
    • Self-employed.
    • If you have supervisory or management experience in this trade, you may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.

    Future Trends:

    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

    Industries/Businesses employing people in this trade include:

    • Construction Contractors.
    • Utility Companies.
    • Manufacturing.
    • Mining.
    • Oil and Gas Extraction.
    • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.
  • SalaryDetails

    Journeyperson wage rates vary but generally range from $25 to $40 an hour plus benefits (2009 estimate). Apprentice instrument technicians earn at least 55 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 65 per cent in the second, 75 per cent in the third and 85 per cent in the fourth.

    According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics occupational group earned on average from $28.61 to $39.24 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $35.09 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails