How to become a public works and maintenance labourer
Official title: Public works and maintenance labourers
Also called: Municipal labourer, Public works labourer, Road maintenance worker, Sewer maintenance worker, Municipal general labourer, Labourer - sanitary service, Casual worker - public works, Seasonal worker - public works, General labourer - public works, Sewer system maintenance worker, Playground maintenance man/woman, Labourer crew leader - public works
Public works and maintenance labourers perform a variety of labouring activities to maintain sidewalks, streets, roads and similar areas. They are employed by public works departments in all levels of government or by private contractors under contract to governments.
Main tasks
- Clean and maintain sidewalks, streets, roads and public grounds of municipality and other areas, working as member of crew
- Sweep debris and remove snow from streets, sidewalks, building grounds and other areas, and load snow and debris into carts or trucks
- Shovel cement and other materials into cement mixers, spread concrete and asphalt on road surfaces using shovels, rakes and hand tampers, and perform other activities to assist in maintenance and repair of roads
- Spread sand or salt on sidewalks for snow and ice control
- Dig ditches and trenches using shovels and other hand tools
- Operate jackhammers and drills to break up pavement
- Load and unload trucks with supplies and equipment
- Collect money from coin boxes of parking meters along established route
How to become one
Several weeks of on-the-job training are provided.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $52,553 a year The middle half earn $42,900 to $60,450.
- About 28,100 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 31,000 are projected by 2033. (+10.3%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a public works and maintenance labourer?
Several weeks of on-the-job training are provided.
How much does a public works and maintenance labourer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $52,553 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $42,900 to $60,450.
Is a public works and maintenance labourer a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2033, from about 28,100 to about 31,000 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a public works and maintenance labourer?
Usually not. Only 5% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03