Job prospects Principal Estimator - Construction in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "principal estimator - construction" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Construction estimators (NOC 22303) 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?

• Most employed in the construction industry
• A smaller number work in manufacturing, mainly in fabricated metal product facilities

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Construction activity is expected to be favourable across Ontario
• Large infrastructure investments in health care, highways and transit, critical minerals development, utilities, and manufacturing
• Steady demand and investments in new housing

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• In addition to other education and training, employers often seek candidates with specialized skills in subcontracting, project management and quantity take-offs
• Some positions may also require experience using estimation software, and design and drafting tools such as AutoCAD
• Knowledge of the Ontario Building Code is also a common requirement

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• There may be more work during the spring and summer months because of greater construction activity.

Here are some key facts about Construction estimators in Ontario:

• Approximately 7,550 people work in this occupation.
• Construction estimators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Construction (NAICS 23): 68%
  • Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 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
• 74% of construction estimators work all year, while 26% 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 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 16% of construction estimators are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 84% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 16% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 19% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 12% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 35% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 22% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 7% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario 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 "principal estimator - construction" Construction estimators (NOC 22303) or across Canada.

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