NOC 2021 · 72500 · TEER 2
NOC 72500: Crane operators
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Crane operators operate cranes or draglines to lift, move, position or place machinery, equipment and other large objects at construction or industrial sites, ports, railway yards, surface mines and other similar locations. They are employed by construction, industrial, mining, cargo handling and railway companies. 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)
$42.77 / hour
Job Bank, 2023-2024
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Tier 3
+20 CRS for Canadian work, or 50 for a job offer
Express Entry categories
None
General and program draws only
Express Entry
How NOC 72500 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 72500 is in tier 3 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.
| 12+ months of Canadian work | +20 points on top of work-length points |
|---|---|
| Qualifying job offer (no LMIA) | 50 points |
You get whichever option scores higher, not both.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
NOC 72500 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:
- Operate mobile and tower cranes to lift, move, position or place equipment and materials
- Perform pre-operational inspection, and calculate crane capacities and weight to prepare for rigging and hoisting
- Operate pile driving cranes to drive pilings into earth to provide support for buildings and other structures
- Operate cranes equipped with dredging attachments to dredge waterways and other areas
- Operate gantry cranes to load and unload ship cargo at port side
- Operate locomotive cranes to move objects and materials at railway yards
- Operate bridge or overhead cranes to lift, move and place plant machinery and materials
- Operate offshore oil rig cranes to unload and reload supply vessels
- Operate cranes mounted on boats or barges to lift, move and place equipment and materials
- Operate dragline cranes to expose coal seams and ore deposits at open pit mines
- May assemble tower cranes on site
- Perform routine maintenance work such as cleaning and lubricating cranes.
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
- boom truck crane operator
- bridge crane operator
- climbing crane operator
- construction crane operator
- crane operator
- dragline crane operator
- gantry crane operator
- hoist operator (except underground mining)
- mobile crane operator
- tower crane operator
- tractor crane operator
All 47 job titles in NOC 72500
- apprentice mobile crane operator
- boat crane operator
- boom crane operator
- boom truck crane operator
- boom truck hoist operator
- bridge crane operator
- cantilever crane operator
- cinder crane operator
- climbing crane operator
- construction crane operator
- crane and hoisting equipment operator
- crane hoist operator
- crane operator
- crane operator apprentice
- crawler crane operator
- demolition crane operator
- dragline crane operator
- drilling rig crane operator
- electric crane operator
- electric dragline operator
- electric gantry crane operator
- electric monorail crane operator
- floating crane operator
- gantry crane operator
- hoist operator - foundry
- hoist operator (except underground mining)
- hot metal crane operator
- jib crane operator
- ladle crane operator
- locomotive crane operator
- locomotive craneman/woman
- mechanical hoist operator
- mobile crane apprentice operator
- mobile crane operator
- monorail crane operator
- overhead crane operator
- pile driving crane operator
- power crane operator
- rail crane operator
- railway car puller - crane
- ship crane operator
- skip operator
- tower crane operator
- tractor crane operator
- truck crane operator
- walking bridge crane operator
- wrecking crane operator
Requirements
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a one- to three-year apprenticeship program or Industry courses in crane operating are usually required.
- Mobile crane operator trade certification, for specified types of cranes, is compulsory in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the Northwest Territories.
- Tower crane operator trade certification is compulsory in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia and available, but voluntary, in Prince Edward Island.
- Hoist operator trade certification, for specified types of cranes, is compulsory in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia and is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- Mobile crane operators may require a provincial licence to drive mobile cranes on public roads.
- Internal company certification as a crane operator may be required by some employers.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified mobile crane and tower crane operators 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 72500 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 | $26.50 | $42.77 | $52.19 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $26.00 | $39.63 | $52.00 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $25.00 | $41.20 | $50.00 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| New Brunswick | $23.81 | $35.00 | $50.60 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Quebec | $30.11 | $43.01 | $47.00 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Ontario | $24.50 | $40.48 | $53.94 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $27.00 | $44.31 | $53.76 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| Alberta | $29.70 | $45.00 | $51.68 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| British Columbia | $27.00 | $43.00 | $55.00 | 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 Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan.
GoodNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Good for crane operators (NOC 72500) 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 crane operators in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 350 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Crane operators mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 56%
Support activities for transportation (NAICS 488): 6%
Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 6%
56% of crane operators work all year, while 43% 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 42 weeks compared to 42 weeks 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: 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 15% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 63% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 16% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
GoodSaskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Good for crane operators (NOC 72500) 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.
Here are some key facts about crane operators in Saskatchewan:
Approximately 400 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Crane operators mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 35%
Primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 331): 12%
Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 9%
Wood product manufacturing (NAICS 321): 8%
Truck transportation (NAICS 484): 8%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 93% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 7% compared to 19% for all occupations
54% of crane operators work all year, while 46% 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.
Less than 5% of crane operators are self-employed compared to an average of 16% 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: 9% compared to 11% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 30% compared to 33% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 48% compared to 15% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 9% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
ModerateNewfoundland and Labrador
The employment outlook will be Moderate for crane operators (NOC 72500) in Newfoundland and Labrador 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.
Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities may vary depending on the time of the year.
Employment prospects for this occupation are mostly driven by stability in non-residential construction over the forecast period and opportunities arising through anticipated retirements. This is expected to lead to job vacancies to be filled.
Here are some key facts about crane operators in Newfoundland and Labrador:
Approximately 550 people work in this occupation.
Crane operators mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 51%
Support activities for mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 213): 10%
Mining and quarrying (NAICS 212): 9%
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482, 486, 487, 493): 7%
Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 6%
34% of crane operators work all year, while 66% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 35 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of crane operators are self-employed compared to an average of 8% 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: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 11% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 68% compared to 17% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 13% compared to 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 14% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations
ModerateNew Brunswick
The employment outlook will be Moderate for crane operators (NOC 72500) 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 several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about crane operators in New Brunswick:
Approximately 300 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Crane operators mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 62%
Scenic and sightseeing transportation and support activities for transportation (NAICS 487-488): 9%
Non metallic mineral product and primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 327, 331): 6%
Real Estate and rental and leasing (NAICS 53): 5%
45% of crane operators work all year, while 55% 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 39 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 95% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 5% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: 17% compared to 11% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 22% compared to 30% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 43% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
ModerateOntario
The employment outlook will be Moderate for crane operators (NOC 72500) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
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 crane operators in Ontario:
Approximately 6,650 people work in this occupation.
Crane operators mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 43%
Primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 331): 15%
Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 10%
Motor vehicle, body, trailer and parts manufacturing (NAICS 3361-3363): 5%
69% of crane operators work all year, while 31% 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 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of crane operators 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: 11% compared to 9% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 32% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 37% compared to 8% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 18% 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
LimitedQuebec
The employment outlook will be Limited for crane operators (NOC 72500) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
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 crane operators in Quebec:
Approximately 2,550 people work in this occupation.
Crane operators mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 45%
Primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 331): 17%
Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 8%
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 485-486, 487, 493): 6%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 94% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 6% compared to 18% for all occupations
57% of crane operators work all year, while 42% 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 43 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of crane operators are self-employed compared to an average of 12% 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: 13% compared to 12% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 17% compared to 19% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 59% compared to 19% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 9% 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
LimitedManitoba
The employment outlook will be Limited for crane operators (NOC 72500) 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 several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about crane operators in Manitoba:
Approximately 500 people work in this occupation.
Crane operators mainly work in the following sectors:
Primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 331): 39%
Construction (NAICS 23): 32%
Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 12%
Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 9%
72% of crane operators work all year, while 28% 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 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks 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: 9% compared to 12% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 43% compared to 31% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 43% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
LimitedAlberta
The employment outlook will be Limited for crane operators (NOC 72500) in Alberta 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 several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about crane operators in Alberta:
Approximately 2,050 people work in this occupation.
Crane operators mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 59%
Primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 331): 7%
Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 7%
Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 5%
53% of crane operators work all year, while 47% 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 41 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
5% of crane operators 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: 7% compared to 10% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 14% 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: 10% 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
LimitedBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Limited for crane operators (NOC 72500) 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 several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about crane operators in British Columbia:
Approximately 2,450 people work in this occupation.
Crane operators mainly work in the following sectors:
Construction (NAICS 23): 52%
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): 11%
Primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 331): 9%
Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 6%
Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 5%
68% of crane operators work all year, while 32% 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.
7% of crane operators 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: 10% compared to 8% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 35% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 43% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 8% 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
UndeterminedPrince Edward Island
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 72500 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.
- 72021 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
- 73400 Heavy equipment operators
- 83100 Underground production and development miners
Questions
NOC 72500: common questions
What is the NOC code for crane operators?
What TEER category is NOC 72500?
Is NOC 72500 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 72500 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 72500 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 72500 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
- 725Technical equipment operation tradesSub-major Group
- 7250Crane operators and water well drillersMinor Group
- 72500Crane operators
Enquiry
Is NOC 72500 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.
Plan your move to Canada
A first consultation covers eligibility, realistic timelines, total cost and the tax consequences of the move. You leave with a written plan, not a brochure.