NOC 2021 · 72602 · TEER 2
NOC 72602: Deck officers, water transport
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Deck officers, water transport, operate and command ships or self-propelled vessels to transport passengers and cargo on oceans and coastal and inland waters, and supervise and coordinate the activities of deck crews. This unit group also includes Canadian Coast Guard deck officers. They are employed by marine transportation companies and federal government departments. 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)
$41.36 / 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 72602 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 72602 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 72602 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:
- Command and operate ships or other self-propelled vessels, such as barges or oil rigs, to transport passengers and cargo
- Command and operate coast guard vessels to provide ice-breaking and search and rescue services, and to maintain control over ships operating in Canadian waters
- Board vessels at berth or from pilot boats to advise ships' captains on the course to steer for safe passage into and out of ports, seaways or other waterways under pilotage authority
- Plan and execute safe navigational passage using navigational aids
- Determine geographical position using navigational instruments, maps and charts
- Guide vessels in rivers, canals, and other confined or hazardous waters and waterways
- Maintain vessels' navigational instruments and equipment
- Direct and oversee the loading and unloading of cargo
- Supervise and coordinate the activities of deck crews
- Record vessel progress, crew activities, weather and sea conditions in the ship's log.
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
- Coast Guard vessel first watchkeeping officer
- Coast Guard vessel navigation officer
- Coast Guard vessel watchkeeping officer
- deck officer - water transport
- ferryboat master
- master mariner
- ship pilot
- ship second mate
- ship third mate
- ship's captain
- ship's mate
- tugboat captain
All 70 job titles in NOC 72602
- apprentice master - minor waters
- captain - water transport
- Coast Guard vessel chief officer
- Coast Guard vessel commanding officer
- Coast Guard vessel first watchkeeping officer
- Coast Guard vessel navigation officer
- Coast Guard vessel second officer
- Coast Guard vessel second watchkeeping officer
- Coast Guard vessel third officer
- Coast Guard vessel third watchkeeping officer
- Coast Guard vessel watchkeeping officer
- commanding officer - water transport
- deck officer - cadet
- deck officer - water transport
- dredge captain
- dredge commanding officer
- dredge mate
- ferryboat captain
- ferryboat first mate
- ferryboat master
- ferryboat operator
- first mate - inland waters
- foreign-going first mate
- foreign-going second mate
- harbour pilot
- home trade first mate
- home trade master
- home trade mate
- home trade second mate
- hovercraft master
- inland navigation mate
- master - inland waters
- master - minor waters
- master - water transport
- master mariner
- mate - water transport
- merchant navy mate
- navigation officer - water transport
- offshore drilling rig first mate
- offshore rig captain
- offshore rig commanding officer
- passenger ship captain
- pilot - water transport
- river pilot
- riverboat captain
- second deck officer
- second mate
- second mate - inland waters
- self-propelled barge captain
- self-propelled barge deck officer
- self-propelled drilling rig captain
- self-propelled drilling rig first mate
- self-propelled drilling rig master
- self-propelled drilling rig mate
- self-propelled oil rig deck officer
- ship chief officer
- ship first mate
- ship junior mate
- ship master
- ship operation chief officer
- ship pilot
- ship second mate
- ship third mate
- ship watchkeeping mate
- ship's captain
- ship's mate
- tugboat captain
- tugboat master
- tugboat skipper
- watchkeeping officer - water transport
Requirements
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- Completion of deck officer cadet program from an approved nautical institute or One to three years of experience as a member of a deck crew is required.
- A deck officer certificate of competency, issued by Transport Canada, is required.
- For ship pilots, a ship pilot licence and a master certificate of competency are required.
Additional information
- Transport Canada administers a deck officer certification program, consisting of several levels. Progression from one level of certification to the next requires additional experience, training and testing.
- Mobility between employers is possible for positions requiring the same level of certification.
- Progression to management positions in transportation 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 72602 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 | $24.33 | $41.36 | $72.12 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $23.08 | $40.00 | $70.19 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $26.05 | $45.03 | $66.66 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| New Brunswick | $23.63 | $40.01 | $70.08 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Quebec | $23.75 | $45.67 | $60.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Ontario | $17.60 | $38.46 | $57.69 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Alberta | $28.78 | $44.92 | $62.71 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| British Columbia | $23.50 | $42.00 | $60.50 | 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 Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario.
GoodNewfoundland and Labrador
The employment outlook will be Good for deck officers, water transport (NOC 72602) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
Several 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.
Major employers of this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador are ferries, supply ship companies for coastal communities and the offshore oil industry, and the coast guard. Marine projects occasionally result in a larger-than-usual number of openings.
Here are some key facts about deck officers, water transport in Newfoundland and Labrador:
Approximately 1,200 people work in this occupation.
Deck officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors:
Water transportation (NAICS 483): 74%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 25%
59% of deck officers, water transport work all year, while 41% 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 40 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 94% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 6% 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: 17% compared to 17% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 60% compared to 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 9% compared to 14% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations
GoodOntario
The employment outlook will be Good for deck officers, water transport (NOC 72602) 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.
Several 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 deck officers, water transport in Ontario:
Approximately 750 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Deck officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors:
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): 70%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 27%
53% of deck officers, water transport work all year, while 47% 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 39 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of deck officers, water transport are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 81% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 19% 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: 22% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 10% compared to 8% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 41% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 23% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
ModeratePrince Edward Island
The employment outlook will be Moderate for deck officers, water transport (NOC 72602) in Prince Edward Island 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 a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about deck officers, water transport in Prince Edward Island:
Approximately 50 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Deck officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 66%
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482, 483, 486, 487, 493): 34%
50% of deck officers, water transport work all year, while 50% 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 32 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
38% of deck officers, water transport 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: 25% 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: 17% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
ModerateNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for deck officers, water transport (NOC 72602) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
Several 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 deck officers, water transport in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 600 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Deck officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 45%
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482, 483, 486, 487, 493): 41%
Support activities for transportation (NAICS 488): 9%
63% of deck officers, water transport work all year, while 37% 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.
Less than 5% of deck officers, water transport are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 87% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 13% compared to 49% 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: 17% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 13% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 44% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 22% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
ModerateQuebec
The employment outlook will be Moderate for deck officers, water transport (NOC 72602) 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.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about deck officers, water transport in Quebec:
Approximately 1,500 people work in this occupation.
Deck officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors:
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 485-486, 487, 493): 75%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 22%
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
48% of deck officers, water transport work all year, while 52% 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 43 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of deck officers, water transport are self-employed compared to an average of 12% 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 12% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 12% compared to 19% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 20% 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: 12% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations
ModerateBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for deck officers, water transport (NOC 72602) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
Several 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 deck officers, water transport in British Columbia:
Approximately 2,100 people work in this occupation.
Deck officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors:
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): 71%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 23%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 95% compared to 78% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
56% of deck officers, water transport work all year, while 44% 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 deck officers, water transport are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 90% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 10% 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: 18% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 28% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 36% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 13% compared to 22% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
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.
UndeterminedAlberta
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 72602 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.
- 72603 Engineer officers, water transport
- 83120 Fishing masters and officers
- 70020 Managers in transportation
- 74201 Water transport deck and engine room crew
Same occupation group
Transportation officers and controllers
Questions
NOC 72602: common questions
What is the NOC code for deck officers, water transport?
What TEER category is NOC 72602?
Is NOC 72602 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 72602 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 72602 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 72602 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
- 72602Deck officers, water transport
Enquiry
Is NOC 72602 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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