NOC 2021 · 72103 · TEER 2
NOC 72103: Boilermakers
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Boilermakers fabricate, assemble, erect, test, maintain and repair boilers, vessels, tanks, towers, heat exchangers and other heavy-metal structures. They are employed in boiler fabrication, manufacturing, shipbuilding, construction, electric power generation and similar industrial establishments. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
TEER
TEER 2
Usually needs a college diploma, an apprenticeship of 2 or more years, or supervisory work
Median wage (Canada)
$49.00 / 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 72103 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 72103 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 72103 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:
- Read blueprints or specifications to plan sequence of operation
- Lay out plate, sheet steel or other heavy metal and mark bending and cutting lines on work piece using protractors, compasses and drawing instruments or templates
- Set up and operate heavy-metal working machines such as brakes, rolls, shears, flame cutters and drill presses to cut, shape and form metal into parts or sections
- Fit and weld metal parts or sections together to fabricate boilers, vessels, tanks, heat exchangers, piping and other heavy-metal products
- Erect and install boilers and other heavy-metal products according to specifications using hand and power tools
- Repair and perform maintenance work on boilers and other heavy-metal products
- Direct activities of hoist or crane operators and other workers during fabrication, assembly, installation or repair of structures
- Test finished structures using a variety of methods.
- Boilermakers may specialize in rigging and hoisting, preparation and layout, or welding aspects of the trade.
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
- boiler fitter
- boiler installer
- boilermaker
- boilermaker apprentice
- construction boilermaker
- industrial boilermaker
- marine boilermaker
- pressure vessel fabricator
All 18 job titles in NOC 72103
- boiler fitter
- boiler installer
- boiler repairer
- boiler repairman/woman
- boiler shop mechanic
- boilermaker
- boilermaker apprentice
- boilermaker-welder
- construction boilermaker
- erection and repair boilermaker
- industrial boilermaker
- industrial construction boilermaker
- industrial heat exchanger boilermaker
- journeyman/woman boilermaker
- maintenance boilermaker
- marine boilermaker
- pressure vessel boilermaker
- pressure vessel fabricator
Requirements
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in boilermaking is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available, in all provinces, to qualified boilermakers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Additional information
- The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
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 72103 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 | $37.66 | $49.00 | $54.57 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $31.07 | $41.33 | $52.67 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $38.19 | $45.46 | $54.00 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| New Brunswick | $36.00 | $43.64 | $52.00 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Quebec | $42.00 | $47.00 | $48.95 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Ontario | $31.21 | $48.21 | $54.21 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Manitoba | $34.00 | $47.87 | $51.81 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $40.49 | $48.05 | $52.30 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Alberta | $42.35 | $51.81 | $56.00 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| British Columbia | $48.00 | $51.07 | $56.74 | 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's 3-year employment outlook for this occupation, by province and territory.
ModerateOntario
The employment outlook will be Moderate for boilermakers (NOC 72103) 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.
What Types of Employers Are Out There?
Manufacturers, particularly of boilers and tanks
Construction
Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution companies
What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?
Large investments in the utilities industry, particularly in nuclear power
The need for ongoing repair and maintenance work, including in the province’s large manufacturing base arealso expected to support job opportunities
What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?
There is one voluntary skilled trade associated with this occupation in Ontario, named Construction Boilermaker
Boilermakers that work in nuclear facilities will need to obtain nuclear-qualified status.
Here are some key facts about boilermakers in Ontario:
Approximately 1,150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Boilermakers mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 32%
Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 23%
Utilities (NAICS 22): 21%
Petroleum and coal product manufacturing (NAICS 324): 6%
Religious, grant-making, civic, and professional and similar organizations (NAICS 813): 5%
41% of boilermakers work all year, while 59% 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 38 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of boilermakers 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: 15% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 50% compared to 8% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 31% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
Very limitedQuebec
The employment outlook will be Very limited for boilermakers (NOC 72103) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about boilermakers in Quebec:
Approximately 500 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Boilermakers mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 46%
Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 25%
Repair and maintenance (NAICS 811): 12%
Petroleum and coal product manufacturing (NAICS 324): 9%
36% of boilermakers work all year, while 64% 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 35 weeks compared to 43 weeks 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 12% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 87% compared to 19% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Very limitedAlberta
The employment outlook will be Very limited for boilermakers (NOC 72103) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about boilermakers in Alberta:
Approximately 900 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Boilermakers mainly work in the following sectors:
Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 36%
Construction (NAICS 23): 26%
Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 9%
Religious, grant-making, civic, and professional and similar organizations (NAICS 813): 7%
Support activities for mining, oil and gas (NAICS 213): 5%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 94% compared to 80% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 6% compared to 20% for all occupations
19% of boilermakers work all year, while 81% 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 28 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of boilermakers 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: 8% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 65% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 13% compared to 19% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 11% compared to 21% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% 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.
UndeterminedSaskatchewan
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedBritish Columbia
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 72103 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.
- 72105 Ironworkers
- 72104 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
- 72106 Welders and related machine operators
Same occupation group
Machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades
- 72100 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
- 72101 Tool and die makers
- 72102 Sheet metal workers
- 72104 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
- 72105 Ironworkers
- 72106 Welders and related machine operators
Questions
NOC 72103: common questions
What is the NOC code for boilermakers?
What TEER category is NOC 72103?
Is NOC 72103 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 72103 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 72103 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 72103 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
- 721Technical industrial tradesSub-major Group
- 7210Machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting tradesMinor Group
- 72103Boilermakers
Enquiry
Is NOC 72103 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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