Agriculture and Fishing
Industry Overview
Businesses in the Agriculture and Fishing industry grow, raise, harvest, gather, market and sell food to contribute to the essential supply of food domestically and internationally. Agriculture and Fishing include many types of businesses and activities such as farms, orchards, greenhouses and nurseries, apiaries, livestock farming and ranching, operating fishing vessels for fish and seafood harvest.
Helped by its diverse climate and geography, B.C. has become home to one of the most diverse agriculture and fishing industries in Canada; the province currently produces more than 200 different food varieties and raises over 100 different seafood species.
Key Facts
- Agriculture and Fishing jobs are diverse and include labour, management, technical roles, sales and marketing.
- Employment is often temporary and highly seasonal.
- Permanent positions and opportunities for advancement are available.
- Growth in job opportunities is expected in this sector.
- Employees may work for an employer or be self-employed.
- Wages for most workers are below the provincial average.
- Very few jobs in this industry are unionized.
Hourly Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Below are the average hourly earnings for this industry.
B.C. Average Hourly Earnings (2023)
| Men | $38.00/hr |
| Women | $32.00/hr |
| Youth | $21.00/hr |
Industry Average Hourly Earnings (2023)
| Men | $27.02/hr |
| Women | $19.04/hr |
| Youth | $20.28/hr |
Workforce
The workforce includes people who are employed or unemployed but actively looking for work. The workforce is made up of people who are 15 years of age and older and living in Canada.
Employment by Sex (2023)
BC Average (2023)
Employment by Age Group
| Age Group | Industry Average (2023) | B.C. Average (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 - 24 years | 17.0% | 13.3% |
| 25 - 54 years | 42.6% | 64.8% |
| 55+ years | 40.4% | 21.9% |
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.
Latest Employment Trends
May 2025 vs. Apr 2025
Employment
% Change
Employment by Region
| Region | % Employment this Industry (2023) | % Employment All Industries (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 3.1% | 3.0% |
| Kootenay | 1.8% | 2.9% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 49.8% | 64.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 0.6% | 1.6% |
| Northeast | 0.5% | 1.3% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 25.6% | 10.9% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 18.6% | 15.8% |
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 Average Annual Employment Growth Rate
Forecasted 10-Year Industry Share of Total Employment
Top Occupations by Job Openings
Top occupations are those with stronger demand and offer higher pay compared to other occupations.
Resources
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B.C. Ministry of Agriculturehttp://www.gov.bc.ca/agri/
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BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundationhttps://www.bcaitc.ca/
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Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC)https://cahrc-ccrha.ca
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Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbiahttp://iafbc.ca/
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North American Industry Classification Systemhttp://www.statcan.gc.ca/concepts/industry-industrie-eng.htm