NOC 2021 · 72012 · TEER 2
NOC 72012: Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Contractors and supervisors in pipefitting trades supervise and coordinate the activities of workers classified in the following unit groups: Plumbers (72300), Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers (72301) and Gas fitters (72302). They are employed by construction companies, mechanical, plumbing and pipefitting trade contractors and maintenance departments of industrial, commercial and manufacturing establishments. Contractors may be self-employed.
TEER
TEER 2
Usually needs a college diploma, an apprenticeship of 2 or more years, or supervisory work
Median wage (Canada)
$48.10 / hour
Job Bank, 2023-2024
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Tier 2
+40 CRS for Canadian work, or 70 for a job offer
Express Entry categories
None
General and program draws only
Express Entry
How NOC 72012 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: eligible occupationNeeds 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 72012 is in tier 2 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.
| 12+ months of Canadian work | +40 points on top of work-length points |
|---|---|
| Qualifying job offer (no LMIA) | 70 points |
You get whichever option scores higher, not both.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
NOC 72012 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:
- Supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of workers who install, repair and maintain piping systems used for the transmission of steam, heat, water, oil and other liquids and gases in residential, commercial, industrial and other installations
- Establish methods to meet work schedules and coordinate work activities with other departments
- Requisition materials and supplies
- Resolve work problems and recommend measures to improve productivity
- Train or arrange for training of workers
- Recommend personnel actions such as hirings and promotions
- Ensure standards for safe working conditions are observed
- Prepare schedules and other reports
- May manage the operations of their own companies
- May supervise, coordinate and schedule the activities of related apprentices, helpers and labourers
- Small businesses' contractors may execute tasks within their trade area of expertise, which is generally not the case for supervisors or contractors associated with a medium or large business.
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
- gas fitters foreman/woman
- gas fitters supervisor
- pipefitters foreman/woman
- pipefitting contractor
- plumber foreman/woman
- plumbers supervisor
- plumbing contractor
- sprinkler system installer foreman/woman
- steamfitter foreman/woman
- steamfitters supervisor
All 21 job titles in NOC 72012
- fire protection equipment installer foreman/woman
- gas fitters foreman/woman
- gas fitters supervisor
- gas line fitters foreman/woman
- gas service foreman/woman
- gas service supervisor
- marine pipefitters foreman/woman
- pipefitters foreman/woman
- pipefitters supervisor
- pipefitting contractor
- plumber foreman/woman
- plumbers supervisor
- plumbing and heating contractor
- plumbing contractor
- sprinkler fitters foreman/woman
- sprinkler system contractor
- sprinkler system installer foreman/woman
- sprinkler system installers supervisor
- sprinkler systems contractor
- steamfitter foreman/woman
- steamfitters supervisor
Requirements
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Several years of experience as a qualified tradesperson in a relevant trade are required.
- Journeyman/woman trade certification in a relevant trade is required.
Additional information
- There is little or no intertrade mobility among the supervisors in this unit group.
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 72012 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 | $30.00 | $48.10 | $61.52 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $40.00 | $49.66 | $61.00 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $28.10 | $45.33 | $65.02 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| New Brunswick | $27.64 | $43.44 | $64.85 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Quebec | $43.00 | $46.50 | $52.66 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Ontario | $24.20 | $53.43 | $65.48 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Manitoba | $20.12 | $42.39 | $49.16 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $20.76 | $49.83 | $62.40 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Alberta | $30.00 | $51.00 | $61.00 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| British Columbia | $27.88 | $45.79 | $61.65 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
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 Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta.
GoodPrince Edward Island
The employment outlook will be Good for contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades (NOC 72012) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of 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 contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades in Prince Edward Island:
Approximately 50 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): more than 95%
71% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
40% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: less than 5% compared to 49% 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: 33% compared to 11% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 50% compared to 25% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
GoodNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Good for contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades (NOC 72012) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 72%
Repair and maintenance (NAICS 811): 12%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 5%
70% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades work all year, while 30% 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 44 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
42% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: 6% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 69% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 18% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 6% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
GoodManitoba
The employment outlook will be Good for contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades (NOC 72012) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of 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 contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades in Manitoba:
Approximately 700 people work in this occupation.
Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 81%
Real Estate and rental and leasing (NAICS 53): 6%
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 6%
80% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades work all year, while 20% 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 49 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
40% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 94% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 6% 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: 17% compared to 31% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 59% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 19% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 5% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
GoodSaskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Good for contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades (NOC 72012) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades in Saskatchewan:
Approximately 600 people work in this occupation.
Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 92%
74% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades work all year, while 26% 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 48 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
57% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 92% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 8% 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: less than 5% compared to 33% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 76% compared to 15% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 11% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 18% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
GoodAlberta
The employment outlook will be Good for contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades (NOC 72012) 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.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades in Alberta:
Approximately 2,900 people work in this occupation.
Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 73%
Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 7%
66% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades work all year, while 34% 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 45 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
37% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: more than 95% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: less than 5% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 6% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 73% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 12% compared to 19% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 21% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
ModerateNew Brunswick
The employment outlook will be Moderate for contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades (NOC 72012) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades in New Brunswick:
Approximately 100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): more than 95%
77% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades work all year, while 23% 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 48 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
50% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades are self-employed compared to an average of 10% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 92% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 8% 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: 76% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 24% compared to 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
ModerateQuebec
The employment outlook will be Moderate for contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades (NOC 72012) 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.
A moderate number of 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 contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades in Quebec:
Approximately 2,100 people work in this occupation.
Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 89%
62% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades work all year, while 38% 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 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
27% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 94% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 6% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 10% compared to 19% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 65% compared to 19% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations
ModerateOntario
The employment outlook will be Moderate for contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades (NOC 72012) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of 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 contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades in Ontario:
Approximately 5,550 people work in this occupation.
Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 87%
78% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades work all year, while 22% 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 48 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
48% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 5% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 62% compared to 8% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 22% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 7% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
ModerateBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades (NOC 72012) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
A moderate number of 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 contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades in British Columbia:
Approximately 2,850 people work in this occupation.
Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 89%
77% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades work all year, while 23% 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 48 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
46% of contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 12% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 66% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 13% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% 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.
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 72012 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.
Same occupation group
Contractors and supervisors, technical industrial, electrical and construction trades and related workers
- 72010 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
- 72011 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- 72013 Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
- 72014 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
Questions
NOC 72012: common questions
What is the NOC code for contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades?
What TEER category is NOC 72012?
Is NOC 72012 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 72012 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 72012 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 72012 in Canada?
Classification
Where it sits in NOC 2021
- 7Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupationsBroad Category
- 72Technical trades and transportation officers and controllersMajor Group
- 720Technical trades contractors and supervisorsSub-major Group
- 7201Contractors and supervisors, technical industrial, electrical and construction trades and related workersMinor Group
- 72012Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
Enquiry
Is NOC 72012 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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