NOC 2021 · 72603 · TEER 2
NOC 72603: Engineer officers, water transport
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Engineer officers in water transport, operate and maintain main engines, machinery and auxiliary equipment aboard ships and other self-propelled vessels, and supervise and coordinate the activities of engine room crews. 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)
$37.00 / 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 72603 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 72603 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 72603 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 main engines, machinery and all auxiliary equipment aboard ships, such as boilers, steering and deck machinery, motors, pumps, generators and condensers
- Stand engine room watch, monitoring and noting performance of engines, machinery and all auxiliary equipment
- Inspect and conduct maintenance and emergency repairs to engines, machinery and all auxiliary equipment
- Supervise and coordinate the activities of the engine room crew
- Maintain records and prepare reports on engine performance and failures.
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
- chief engineer - water transport
- engineer officer - water transport
- fourth engineer - water transport
- marine engineer officer
- second engineer
- third engineer - water transport
- tugboat engineer
All 37 job titles in NOC 72603
- apprentice marine engineer officer
- assistant engineer - water transport
- chief engineer - water transport
- chief marine engineer - water transport
- Coast Guard vessel chief engineer
- Coast Guard vessel first watchkeeping engineer
- Coast Guard vessel marine engineer officer
- Coast Guard vessel second engineer
- Coast Guard vessel second watchkeeping engineer
- Coast Guard vessel senior engineer
- Coast Guard vessel third engineer
- Coast Guard vessel third watchkeeping engineer
- engineer officer - water transport
- factory freezer trawler chief marine engineer
- factory freezer trawler first engineer
- factory freezer trawler second engineer
- fishing vessel chief engineer
- fishing vessel engineer officer
- fourth engineer - water transport
- junior engineer - water transport
- marine engineer officer
- marine engineer officer - water transport
- marine engineer officer-cadet (except armed forces)
- marine second engineer - water transport
- marine senior engineer - water transport
- mobile platform chief engineer - offshore drilling
- offshore drilling rig marine engineer officer
- second engineer
- second engineer - water transport
- self-propelled barge marine engineer officer
- self-propelled drilling rig chief engineer
- self-propelled drilling rig first engineer
- self-propelled drilling rig marine engineer officer
- self-propelled drilling rig second engineer
- ship engineer officer
- third engineer - water transport
- tugboat engineer
Requirements
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- Completion of a three-year cadet program in marine engineering from an approved marine training institute or Approximately three years of experience as an engine room crew member and six months of formal training at an approved marine training institute or Approximately three years of experience as an engine mechanic and six months of experience as an engine room crew member are required for certification as a fourth class marine engineer.
- A marine engineer officer certificate of competency, issued by Transport Canada, is required.
Additional information
- Fourth class marine engineer certificate is the entry level of a four-level certification program administered by Transport Canada. 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 72603 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 | $26.78 | $37.00 | $61.54 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $27.47 | $38.27 | $74.79 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $21.00 | $32.05 | $45.67 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Quebec | $31.11 | $35.00 | $50.21 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Ontario | $24.50 | $45.67 | $66.36 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| British Columbia | $25.00 | $45.00 | $55.60 | 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's 3-year employment outlook for this occupation, by province and territory.
ModerateNewfoundland and Labrador
The employment outlook will be Moderate for engineer officers, water transport (NOC 72603) in Newfoundland and Labrador 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 moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
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 engineer officers, water transport in Newfoundland and Labrador:
Approximately 500 people work in this occupation.
Engineer officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors:
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482, 486, 487, 493): 36%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 28%
Water transportation (NAICS 483): 21%
Ship and Boat Building (NAICS 3366): 6%
Fishing, hunting and trapping (NAICS 114): 5%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 91% compared to 83% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 9% compared to 17% for all occupations
38% of engineer officers, water transport work all year, while 62% 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 38 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.
6% of engineer officers, water transport 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: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: 8% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 16% compared to 17% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 66% compared to 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
ModerateNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for engineer officers, water transport (NOC 72603) in Nova Scotia 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 small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about engineer officers, water transport in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Engineer officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 37%
Support activities for transportation (NAICS 488): 27%
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482, 483, 486, 487, 493): 12%
Transit and ground passenger transportation (NAICS 485): 8%
Food, beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (NAICS 311, 312): 6%
47% of engineer officers, water transport work all year, while 53% 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 40 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 88% 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: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: 13% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 21% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 46% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 15% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
ModerateQuebec
The employment outlook will be Moderate for engineer officers, water transport (NOC 72603) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about engineer officers, water transport in Quebec:
Approximately 600 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Engineer officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors:
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 485-486, 487, 493): 46%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 11%
Transportation equipment manufacturing (NAICS 336): 6%
Utilities (NAICS 22): 5%
Construction (NAICS 23): 5%
57% of engineer officers, water transport 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.
Less than 5% of engineer 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: 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: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 39% compared to 19% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 45% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 6% 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 engineer officers, water transport (NOC 72603) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about engineer officers, water transport in British Columbia:
Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Engineer officers, water transport mainly work in the following sectors:
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): 60%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 19%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 14%
60% of engineer officers, water transport work all year, while 40% 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.
10% of engineer 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: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 9% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 25% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 42% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 17% compared to 22% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 6% 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.
UndeterminedNew Brunswick
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedOntario
An employment outlook for this occupation was not assessed in this region.
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 72603 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.
- 72602 Deck officers, water transport
- 70020 Managers in transportation
- 21399 Other professional engineers
- 21301 Mechanical engineers
- 74201 Water transport deck and engine room crew
Same occupation group
Transportation officers and controllers
Questions
NOC 72603: common questions
What is the NOC code for engineer officers, water transport?
What TEER category is NOC 72603?
Is NOC 72603 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 72603 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 72603 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 72603 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
- 72603Engineer officers, water transport
Enquiry
Is NOC 72603 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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