NOC 2021 · 72600 · TEER 2
NOC 72600: Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Air pilots fly fixed wing aircraft and helicopters to provide air transportation and other services such as crop spraying and aerial surveying. Flight engineers assist air pilots with monitoring, troubleshooting and maintenance of aircraft systems and with pre- and post-flight inspections. Flying instructors teach flying techniques and procedures to student and licensed pilots. Air pilots, flight engineers and flight instructors are employed by airline and air freight companies, flying schools and by other public and private sector aircraft operators.
TEER
TEER 2
Usually needs a college diploma, an apprenticeship of 2 or more years, or supervisory work
Median wage (Canada)
$52.00 / 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
Transport
Category-based draws (2026)
Express Entry
How NOC 72600 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 72600 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
- Transport
At least 12 months of full-time work experience (or equal part-time) in the past 3 years in one listed occupation, plus Express Entry eligibility and the round instructions.
IRCC category listsDuties
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Air pilots
- Conduct pre-flight inspection of aircraft and check passenger and cargo distribution to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met
- Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air-traffic control, inform crew members of flight and test procedures and direct activities of aircraft crew during flights
- Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions and other information
- Conduct in-flight tests and monitor functioning of aircraft equipment and systems during flights, maintain communications with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters and respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions
- Prepare flight evaluation reports
- Train pilots to use new equipment, or prepare them for examinations to revalidate or upgrade existing licences
- May fly new or experimental planes to examine their flight performance and safety
- May participate in search and rescue operations, forest firefighting, aerial surveying, crop dusting and other services.
- Flight engineers
- Inspect aircraft prior to takeoff according to pre-flight checklist and verify passenger and cargo distribution to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met
- Assist air pilots in monitoring aircraft systems, equipment and functions during flight
- Make in-flight repairs, such as replacing fuses and adjusting instruments, and follow emergency procedures to compensate for equipment malfunction or failure
- Perform post-flight inspections, record equipment malfunctions and corrective actions taken during flight and report required repairs to ground maintenance personnel.
- Flying instructors
- Instruct student pilots in procedures and techniques of flying aircraft and in ground-school subjects such as navigation, radio procedures and flying regulations
- Train licensed pilots for additional certification.
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
- air pilot
- captain - air transport
- check pilot
- chief flying instructor
- chief pilot
- co-pilot
- flight engineer
- flying instructor
- helicopter pilot
- pilot instructor
- relief pilot
- second officer - air transport
- test pilot
All 56 job titles in NOC 72600
- aerial crop duster
- aerial crop dusting service contractor
- aerial sprayer
- aerial survey flight supervisor
- aerial survey pilot
- air navigator
- air patrol pilot
- air pilot
- air pilot and flight engineer supervisor
- air pilots and navigators supervisor
- airline pilot
- airline pilot instructor
- airline test pilot
- airplane pilot
- bush pilot
- business aircraft pilot
- captain - air transport
- charter pilot
- check pilot
- chief flying instructor
- chief pilot
- chief pilot - air transport
- commercial airline pilot
- commercial pilot
- co-pilot
- co-pilot - air transport
- corporate pilot
- engineering test pilot
- executive pilot
- experimental test pilot
- fire patrol pilot
- first officer - air transport
- flight engineer
- flight instructor
- flight simulator instructor
- flying instructor
- forest spray pilot
- forestry patrol pilot
- helicopter chief pilot
- helicopter flight instructor
- helicopter pilot
- mapping pilot
- navigator - air transport
- pilot - air transport
- pilot - Canadian Armed Forces
- pilot instructor
- pipeline air patrol pilot
- power line air patrol pilot
- relief pilot
- remote sensing pilot
- second officer - air transport
- spray pilot
- survey pilot
- test pilot
- topographic survey pilot
- water bomber pilot
Requirements
Employment requirements
- Pilots and flight engineers
- Completion of secondary school and graduation from a certified flying or aviation school are required.
- A university degree or college diploma may be required.
- A commercial pilot's licence (more than 200 hours of flight experience) or an air transport pilot's licence (more than 1500 hours of flight experience) is required.
- Additional licences or endorsements to fly different types of aircraft are required.
- Flight engineers require a flight engineer licence issued by Transport Canada.
- Structured training is provided by employers.
- Flight instructors
- Completion of secondary school and graduation from a certified flying or aviation school are required.
- A university degree or college diploma may be required.
- A commercial pilot's or an air transport pilot's licence is required.
- Transport Canada ratings and endorsements to provide instructions on different types of aircraft are required.
Additional information
- Flight engineers may progress to co-pilot and pilot positions with required hours of flying experience and completion of licensing and endorsement requirements.
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 72600 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 | $24.04 | $52.00 | $106.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00 | $41.87 | $84.13 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $24.00 | $44.00 | $77.16 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| New Brunswick | $27.00 | $55.29 | $85.10 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Quebec | $27.81 | $50.56 | $86.72 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Ontario | $28.85 | $63.00 | $126.92 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Manitoba | $22.81 | $45.11 | $80.84 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $24.23 | $50.00 | $79.07 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Alberta | $28.05 | $54.11 | $89.95 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| British Columbia | $30.00 | $57.69 | $96.15 | Labour Force Survey, 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 Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta, Northwest Territories.
GoodNewfoundland and Labrador
The employment outlook will be Good for air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of a few 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.
Difficulties finding pilots during COVID-19 due to pent-up demand for travel has been improving as the number of active airline pilots grew from 2,600 year-over-year in 2025 to almost 10,000 nationally. Moreover, the number of pilot licenses issued by Transport Canada nationally in 2024 was 936, the highest based on available data. Most employment opportunities are concentrated in the St. John's area.
Here are some key facts about air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors in Newfoundland and Labrador:
Approximately 300 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors mainly work in the following sectors:
Air transportation (NAICS 481): 92%
60% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors work all year, while 40% 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 43 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 89% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 11% 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: 18% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 28% compared to 17% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 44% compared to 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 8% compared to 14% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
GoodNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Good for air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600) in Nova Scotia 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.
Many pilots are employed by large commercial air carriers, whose hiring prospects reflect conditions across the country, while others are employed by the handful of smaller charter services that operate within Nova Scotia and the Atlantic Region.
A shortage of pilots has persisted in Canada for the past several years, particularly among those with the qualifications and amount of experience required to fly for commercial airlines. This has resulted in improved hiring prospects for pilots in general, though opportunities for recently licensed pilots to accumulate flying hours may be more competitive.
Here are some key facts about air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 550 people work in this occupation.
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors mainly work in the following sectors:
Air transportation (NAICS 481): 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 93% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 7% compared to 18% for all occupations
71% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors 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 44 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
6% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 93% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 7% 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: 15% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 10% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 55% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 20% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
GoodOntario
The employment outlook will be Good for air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600) 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.
What Types of Employers Are Out There?
Air transportation companies
Federal government
Educational services
What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?
Improvement in the level of global air travel
The addition of new routes and increase in the frequency of flights to existing destinations
What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?
Graduation from a certified flying or aviation school and a commercial pilot’s or air transport pilot’s licence are required
Flight engineers require a Flight Engineer Licence issued by Transport Canada
What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?
Air pilots typically start working for small regional airlines, and progression to larger commercial airlines is possible with experience.
Here are some key facts about air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors in Ontario:
Approximately 5,800 people work in this occupation.
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors mainly work in the following sectors:
Air transportation (NAICS 481): 87%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 90% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 10% compared to 19% for all occupations
64% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors work all year, while 36% 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 42 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
5% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 93% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 7% 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: 14% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 7% compared to 8% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 47% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 27% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
GoodAlberta
The employment outlook will be Good for air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600) in Alberta 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 small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors in Alberta:
Approximately 3,600 people work in this occupation.
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors mainly work in the following sectors:
Air transportation (NAICS 481): 89%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 92% compared to 80% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 8% compared to 20% for all occupations
66% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors 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 43 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors are self-employed compared to an average of 15% 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: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 23% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 11% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 46% compared to 19% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 17% compared to 21% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
GoodNorthwest Territories
The employment outlook will be Good for air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600) in Northwest Territories 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 small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
National pilot shortages are present in the territory. Job vacancies in the aviation industry are driven by retirements, increased service demand, and demand to increase and modernize aircraft fleets.
Here are some key facts about air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors in Northwest Territories:
Approximately 200 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors mainly work in the following sectors:
Transportation and warehousing (NAICS 48-49): more than 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 95% compared to 88% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
74% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors work all year, while 26% work only part of the year, compared to 71% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors are self-employed compared to an average of 7% 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: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: 22% compared to 26% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 20% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 44% compared to 18% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 13% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
ModerateNew Brunswick
The employment outlook will be Moderate for air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600) 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 small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors in New Brunswick:
Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors mainly work in the following sectors:
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 481-483, 485-486, 493): 39%
Other schools and instruction (NAICS 6115-6117): 24%
Forestry and logging (NAICS 113, 1153): 19%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 12%
Transportation equipment manufacturing (NAICS 336): 6%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 91% compared to 84% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 9% compared to 16% for all occupations
64% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors work all year, while 36% 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 42 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 93% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 7% 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: 13% compared to 30% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 9% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 39% compared to 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 37% compared to 16% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
ModerateManitoba
The employment outlook will be Moderate for air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600) in Manitoba 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 a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors in Manitoba:
Approximately 1,050 people work in this occupation.
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors mainly work in the following sectors:
Air transportation (NAICS 481): 83%
Other schools and instruction (NAICS 6115-6117): 7%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 92% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 8% compared to 19% for all occupations
70% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors 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 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
6% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 86% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 14% compared to 47% 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: 23% compared to 31% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 11% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 37% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 25% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
ModerateSaskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Moderate for air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600) in Saskatchewan 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.
The federal government’s investment in the province’s aviation and aerospace sector to address shortage of pilots and boost aerospace manufacturing will help sustain and create new job opportunities.
Recent implementation of a new age cap policy for pilots by some airline companies and the rejection of a bid to extend the retirement age of pilots beyond 65 by the ICAO could worsen the shortage of pilots and open new job opportunities for this occupation.
Workers in this occupation are concentrated in the Saskatoon and Prince Albert region.
Here are some key facts about air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors in Saskatchewan:
Approximately 400 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors mainly work in the following sectors:
Air transportation (NAICS 481): 61%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 18%
Other schools and instruction (NAICS 6115-6117): 12%
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): 5%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 86% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 14% compared to 19% for all occupations
59% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors work all year, while 41% 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 41 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
9% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors 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: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 21% compared to 33% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 21% compared to 15% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 43% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 12% compared to 18% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations
LimitedQuebec
The employment outlook will be Limited for air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600) 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 a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors in Quebec:
Approximately 3,000 people work in this occupation.
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors mainly work in the following sectors:
Air transportation (NAICS 481): 82%
Transportation equipment manufacturing (NAICS 336): 7%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 91% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 9% compared to 18% for all occupations
57% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors 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 42 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
6% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 91% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 9% 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: 13% compared to 19% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 15% compared to 19% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 53% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 14% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations
LimitedBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Limited for air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600) 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.
Occupations in aviation requiring significant technical skills continue to be in demand in British Columbia.
A growing number of retirements have left these occupations with a shortage.
There is expected to be job creation from military and firefighting aircraft projects as part of Boeing and De Havilland Canada investments, respectively.
Here are some key facts about air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors in British Columbia:
Approximately 3,650 people work in this occupation.
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors mainly work in the following sectors:
Air transportation (NAICS 481): 87%
Other schools and instruction (NAICS 6115-6117): 5%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 90% compared to 78% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 10% compared to 22% for all occupations
62% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors work all year, while 38% 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 42 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
8% of air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 93% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 7% 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: 22% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 17% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 38% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 20% 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.
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 72600 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
Transportation officers and controllers
Questions
NOC 72600: common questions
What is the NOC code for air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors?
What TEER category is NOC 72600?
Is NOC 72600 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 72600 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 72600 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 72600 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
- 726Transportation officers and controllersSub-major Group
- 7260Transportation officers and controllersMinor Group
- 72600Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
Enquiry
Is NOC 72600 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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