Job prospects Transit Operator - Transportation in British Columbia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "transit operator - transportation" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

The recent trends from the past 3 years were updated on July 25, 2025. The job outlooks over the next 3 years were updated on December 10, 2025.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be Good for bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators (NOC 73301) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Demand for this occupation is driven by population growth, urbanization and government investment. 

In March 2025, the Government of Canada announced that it would be providing over $1.5B to TransLink over the next ten years to support the creation of a Metro-Region Agreement. 

The funds will support public transit growth and maintenance. 

Also in March 2025, the Government of Canada announced that it would be providing more than $189M over ten years in transit funding to BC Transit. 

The funds will support communities across the province by providing predictable funding to upgrade, replace and repair transit infrastructure.

Here are some key facts about bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators in British Columbia:

• Approximately 10,950 people work in this occupation.
• Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Transit and ground passenger transportation (NAICS 485): 80%
  • Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 8%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 81% compared to 78% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 19% compared to 22% for all occupations
• 59% of bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators work all year, while 41% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 80% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 20% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 9% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 43% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 16% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 16% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 12% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in British Columbia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

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