Utilities
Industry Overview
The Utilities industry includes businesses that operate electric power, gas and water systems.
Water is used to generate about 90 per cent of B.C.’s electric power. Electricity is also generated by power plants, most of which are fueled by natural gas.
Water purification and distribution, and sewer services are also included in this industry.
Key Facts
- The Utilities industry in B.C. has a small workforce that is mainly employed in larger establishments. There is no self-employment in this industry.
- The industry relies more on capital equipment than on labour to produce its output, so the human element is much smaller than in most other industries.
- Most of the employment in this industry occurs in the Mainland / Southwest region, followed by the Thompson-Okanagan region.
- Wages for most workers in the industry are higher than the provincial average for all industries.
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 | $44.35/hr |
| Women | $43.69/hr |
| Youth | $35.50/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 | 1.8% | 13.3% |
| 25 - 54 years | 75.1% | 64.8% |
| 55+ years | 23.1% | 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 | 0.9% | 3.0% |
| Kootenay | 6.8% | 2.9% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 59.2% | 64.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 3.1% | 1.6% |
| Northeast | 3.4% | 1.3% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 18.1% | 10.9% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 8.5% | 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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British Columbia Water and Waste Associationhttps://www.bcwwa.org
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Canadian Hydropower Associationhttps://canadahydro.ca/
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Canadian Water and Wastewater Associationhttp://www.cwwa.ca/
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Centre for Energyhttp://www.centreforenergy.com/
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North American Industry Classification Systemhttp://www.statcan.gc.ca/concepts/industry-industrie-eng.htm