NOC 2021 · 21330 · TEER 1
NOC 21330: Mining engineers
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Mining engineers plan, design, organize and supervise the development of mines, mine facilities, systems and equipment; and prepare and supervise the extraction of metallic or non-metallic minerals and ores from underground or surface mines. They are employed by mining companies, consulting engineering companies, manufacturers, government and in educational and research institutions.
TEER
TEER 1
Usually needs a university degree
Median wage (Canada)
$60.00 / hour
Job Bank, 2023-2024
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Tier 1
+70 CRS for Canadian work, or 100 for a job offer
Express Entry categories
None
General and program draws only
Express Entry
How NOC 21330 counts for Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of continuous skilled (TEER 0–3) work in the last 10 years and 67 points on the FSW grid.
- Canadian Experience Class: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work in Canada in the last 3 years.
- Federal Skilled Trades: not eligibleNeeds 2 years of work in an eligible trade group in the last 5 years, plus a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
High-wage CRS points
NOC 21330 is in tier 1 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.
| 12+ months of Canadian work | +70 points on top of work-length points |
|---|---|
| Qualifying job offer (no LMIA) | 100 points |
You get whichever option scores higher, not both.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
NOC 21330 is not on any of IRCC's 2026 occupation categories. You can still be invited through general, program-specific or French-language draws.
IRCC category listsDuties
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct preliminary surveys and studies of ore, mineral or coal deposits to assess the economic and environmental feasibility of potential mining operations
- Determine the appropriate means of safely and efficiently mining deposits
- Determine and advise on appropriate drilling and blasting methods for mining, construction or demolition
- Design shafts, ventilation systems, mine services, haulage systems and supporting structures
- Design, develop and implement computer applications such as for mine design, mine modelling, mapping or for monitoring mine conditions
- Plan and design or select mining equipment and machinery and mineral treatment machinery and equipment in collaboration with other engineering specialists
- Plan, organize and supervise the development of mines and mine structures and the operation and maintenance of mines
- Prepare operations and project estimates, schedules and reports
- Implement and coordinate mine safety programs
- Supervise and co-ordinate the work of technicians, technologists, survey personnel, and other engineers and scientists.
For Express Entry, your experience must match the lead statement and most of these duties, not only the job title.
Job titles
Example job titles
- mine design engineer
- mine development engineer
- mine layout engineer
- mine production engineer
- mine safety engineer
- mine ventilation engineer
- mineral engineer
- mining engineer
All 12 job titles in NOC 21330
- consulting mining engineer
- mine design engineer
- mine development engineer
- mine layout engineer
- mine planning engineer
- mine production engineer
- mine safety engineer
- mine ventilation engineer
- mineral dressing engineer
- mineral engineer
- mines exploration engineer
- mining engineer
Requirements
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in mining engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Additional information
- Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience.
- Mining engineers work closely with geologists, geological engineers, metallurgical engineers, and other engineers and scientists, and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization.
- Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.
This occupation may be regulated in some provinces. You may need a licence or certificate from the provincial regulator before you can work in it in Canada, even if you hold permanent residence.
Wages
Wages for NOC 21330 in Canada
Low, median and high wages per hour in Canadian dollars, from ESDC Job Bank's 2025 wage data.
| Region | Low | Median | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $37.02 | $60.00 | $115.38 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $40.00 | $57.69 | $80.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $37.77 | $50.48 | $68.82 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Quebec | $37.02 | $56.73 | $120.19 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Ontario | $38.46 | $57.69 | $86.54 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Manitoba | $36.93 | $54.79 | $72.97 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $40.35 | $61.71 | $100.70 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Alberta | $39.10 | $63.26 | $99.64 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| British Columbia | $39.75 | $61.42 | $97.39 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
Provinces with too little data are not shown. Wages vary by city and employer; see Job Bank for regional figures.
Job outlook
Job outlook by province, 2025–2027
Job Bank rates the 3-year outlook as good or very good in Saskatchewan.
GoodSaskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Good for mining engineers (NOC 21330) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about mining engineers in Saskatchewan:
Approximately 200 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Mining engineers mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 76%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 16%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 8%
70% of mining engineers work all year, while 30% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
11% of mining engineers are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 74% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 26% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: 8% compared to 33% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 6% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 72% compared to 18% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 14% compared to 7% for all occupations
ModerateQuebec
The employment outlook will be Moderate for mining engineers (NOC 21330) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about mining engineers in Quebec:
Approximately 600 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Mining engineers mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 61%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 21%
72% of mining engineers work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
7% of mining engineers are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 83% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 17% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: 65% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 32% compared to 11% for all occupations
ModerateAlberta
The employment outlook will be Moderate for mining engineers (NOC 21330) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about mining engineers in Alberta:
Approximately 550 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Mining engineers mainly work in the following sectors:
Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 63%
Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 10%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 10%
Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 5%
84% of mining engineers work all year, while 16% 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 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of mining engineers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 81% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 19% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 75% compared to 21% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 19% compared to 9% for all occupations
ModerateBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for mining engineers (NOC 21330) 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.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
British Columbia has extensive mineral reserves and key projects targeting essential metals and minerals; the growth of the mining sector is driven by demand for critical minerals that are essential for electric vehicles (EVs) and green technologies (such as lithium and copper) and the price of precious metals (such as gold).
Over the forecast period from 2025 to 2027, uncertainty related to international trade policies could influence growth in the province's mining industry; in response, both the federal and provincial governments are seeking to fast-track major mining projects to mitigate these challenges.
Looking ahead, new mining projects in the North Coast/Nechako, Kootenay, and Thompson-Okanagan economic regions could begin operations later in the forecast period (2027).
Here are some key facts about mining engineers in British Columbia:
Approximately 700 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Mining engineers mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 47%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 30%
Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 6%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 6%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 89% compared to 78% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 11% compared to 22% for all occupations
72% of mining engineers work all year, while 28% 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 46 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
13% of mining engineers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 86% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 14% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 59% compared to 22% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 38% compared to 12% for all occupations
LimitedOntario
The employment outlook will be Limited for mining engineers (NOC 21330) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about mining engineers in Ontario:
Approximately 1,150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Mining engineers mainly work in the following sectors:
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 52%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 34%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 6%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 94% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 6% compared to 19% for all occupations
71% of mining engineers work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
14% of mining engineers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 84% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 16% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 69% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 27% compared to 13% for all occupations
UndeterminedNewfoundland and Labrador
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedPrince Edward Island
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNova Scotia
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNew Brunswick
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedManitoba
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNorthwest Territories
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNunavut
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Source: ESDC Job Bank, 3-year employment outlooks 2025–2027 (released December 2025).
Provinces
Provincial Nominee Programs
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. Most provinces run occupation-targeted draws or in-demand lists, and some accept TEER 4 and 5 occupations that Express Entry does not.
Provincial lists change often, sometimes between draws. We check whether NOC 21330 is being targeted by any province as part of a consultation.
Similar occupations
Related NOC codes
Classified elsewhere
If your duties fit one of these better, use that code instead.
Questions
NOC 21330: common questions
What is the NOC code for mining engineers?
What TEER category is NOC 21330?
Is NOC 21330 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 21330 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 21330 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 21330 in Canada?
Classification
Where it sits in NOC 2021
- 2Natural and applied sciences and related occupationsBroad Category
- 21Professional occupations in natural and applied sciencesMajor Group
- 213Professional occupations in engineeringSub-major Group
- 2133Natural resources engineersMinor Group
- 21330Mining engineers
Enquiry
Is NOC 21330 your occupation? Ask us about your options.
Tell us your duties, experience and language scores. We will confirm your NOC code and the Canadian routes that fit.
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0, Job Bank wages (2025), Job Bank outlooks 2025–2027 and IRCC. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Checked 21 October 2026.
NOC 2026 is due from Statistics Canada in December 2026. IRCC still uses NOC 2021 codes, and this page will show any change once IRCC switches.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, IRCC or ESDC.
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