Job prospects Short Haul Truck Driver in Ontario
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Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "short haul truck driver" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

Very good

The employment outlook will be very good for Transport truck drivers (NOC 73300) in Ontario 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 moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

  • General freight trucking
  • A smaller number work in construction, wholesale trade, and manufacturing

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

  • The volume of goods requiring transportation is expected to be relatively steady
  • Ongoing e-commerce and warehousing activities
  • Favourable levels of construction, led by large infrastructure projects in Ontario

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

  • A valid commercial truck driver’s licence
  • Certification to transport dangerous goods is required for the movement of hazardous products or dangerous goods
  • Certification from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority is required to operate a propane truck

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

  • Self-employment is rather common in this occupation
  • Ability to work long hours, irregular work schedules, and to be away from home may be required, especially for long-haul truck drivers
  • Some positions may require frequent travel to the United States.

Here are some key facts about Transport truck drivers in Ontario:

  • Approximately 111,750 people work in this occupation.
  • Transport truck drivers mainly work in the following sectors:
    • Truck transportation (NAICS 484): 59%
    • Construction (NAICS 23): 7%
    • Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): 6%
  • The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
    • Full-time workers: 92% compared to 81% for all occupations
    • Part-time workers: 8% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • 56% of transport truck drivers work all year, while 43% 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.
  • 32% of transport truck drivers 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: 22% compared to 9% for all occupations
    • high school diploma or equivalent: 39% compared to 25% for all occupations
    • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 13% compared to 8% for all occupations
    • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 15% compared to 22% for all occupations
    • bachelor's degree: 8% compared to 24% for all occupations
    • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

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Legend

0 out of 5 stars
Undetermined
1 out of 5 stars
Very limited
2 out of 5 stars
Limited
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Moderate
4 out of 5 stars
Good
5 out of 5 stars
Very good

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 "short haul truck driver" in Ontario or across Canada.

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Labour Market Information Survey
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