7451-NOC

Longshore workers

(NOC 75100)
Annual Earnings
$98,023
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
No Formal Education
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
1,760

Career Overview

Longshore workers transfer cargo from ships to trucks and trains as well as move cargo around on docks. They may do a variety of jobs, from operating cranes to driving machinery to loading materials.

Duties

Longshore workers:

  • Drive industrial trucks, tractors and other mobile equipment to transfer cargo (such as containers, crated items, cars and pallet-mounted machinery) within range of cranes and hoists
  • Use winches and other hoisting devices to load/unload cargo onto ships and to move cargo from one vessel to another
  • Operate mechanical towers to load vessels with materials, such as coal and ore
  • Run equipment to transfer bulk materials, such as grain, into the storage area (also called the hold) of vessels
  • Connect hoses and operate equipment to transfer liquids into storage tanks on vessels
  • Secure (lash and shore) cargo aboard ships
  • Clean the storage areas of ships
  • Maintain and repair cargo equipment

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$98,023

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$65.09/hr
Median$47.00/hr
Low$18.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

3,110

% Employed Full Time

47%
Source: 2021 Census

People in this occupation work on a dispatch system. They are hired through locals of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and are dispatched each day to work for marine terminal operators. Longshore workers work at different terminals on different days. Most terminals also have some regular employees. 

Longshore workers are employed in all major ports in B.C. Since most terminals operate 24 hours, longshore workers tend to work shifts.

The work is physical and requires good focus. Longshore workers are outdoors in all types of weather. They work with heavy equipment, instruments, machinery and tools that can cause serious injury. They may be exposed to chemicals, harmful dust from bulk cargo, noise and vibration. In addition, they are subject to the dangers that come from working on docks around cranes and towers.

Career Pathways

Longshore workers usually begin as labourers. After a short time, they can apply to train in more advanced roles. Some may become machinery drivers or crane operators. Others may become “checkers” who record and monitor the cargo being loaded/unloaded from ships.

With experience, longshore workers can advance into supervisory roles, such as crew foreperson.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Realistic
Realistic

Job Titles

Dockworker
Longshore worker
Longshoreman/woman
Ship loader operator
Stevedore
Tanker loader

Education, Training and Skills

Longshore workers receive on-the-job training. Most employers also require workers to have some secondary school education.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Academic/Basic Upgrading
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure that a machine is working properly.

68%
Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

68%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

56%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

53%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

50%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

50%
Complex Problem Solving

Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.

50%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

50%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

50%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

50%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

3,110
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 0 0.0%
Kootenay 0 0.0%
Mainland/Southwest 2,555 82.0%
North Coast and Nechako 350 11.2%
Northeast 0 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 15 0.5%
Vancouver Island/Coast 185 5.9%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

1,760
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo Not available Not available
Kootenay Not available Not available
Mainland/Southwest 1,300 1.6%
North Coast and Nechako 320 4.1%
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 10 -0.5%
Vancouver Island/Coast 140 1.0%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Transportation And Warehousing1,740
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services10
Repair, Personal And Non-Profit Services10
Information, Culture And Recreation0
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

The dispatch system offers longshore workers flexibility. Many workers enjoy the freedom that comes from working for different employers and with different co-workers each day. Longshore workers also have a wide variety of roles they can choose from.

Workers with experience have good job prospects and strong opportunities for advancement. New workers have access to fewer jobs initially, but many opportunities for training.

More opportunities are expected due to the recent expansions in the Port of Vancouver and Port of Prince Rupert.

Resources