NOC 2021 · 93102 · TEER 3
NOC 93102: Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators operate and monitor multi-function process control machinery and equipment to control the processing of wood, scrap pulp, recyclable paper, cellulose materials, paper pulp and paperboard. They are employed by pulp and paper companies.
TEER
TEER 3
Usually needs a college diploma, an apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training
Median wage (Canada)
$40.00 / 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 93102 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 93102 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 93102 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, co-ordinate and monitor pulping, papermaking and papercoating process equipment from central control room or machine consoles and control panels in equipment cabins to control process operations and machinery in the production of pulp and paper
- Control the processing of wood, scrap pulp, recyclable paper, cellulose materials, pulp paper and paperboard and monitor the chemical and physical process operations using a distributed control system and process computers
- Observe panel indicators, gauges, video monitors and other instruments to detect equipment malfunctions and ensure pulping, papermaking and coating processes are operating according to process specifications
- Analyze instrument readings and production test samples and make adjustments or direct other pulp mill, papermaking and finishing machine operators to make adjustments to pulp production, papermaking and coating process and equipment as required
- Complete and maintain production reports.
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
- bleach plant operator - pulp and paper
- panelboard operator - pulp and paper
- paper machine control operator
- pulping control operator
- pulping group operator - pulp and paper
- pulping technician
All 16 job titles in NOC 93102
- batch operator - pulp and paper
- beater engineer - pulp and paper
- beater room lead hand - pulp and paper
- bleach plant operator - pulp and paper
- control room operator - pulp and paper
- cooking systems operator - pulp and paper
- cylinder machine operator - pulp and paper
- panel operator - pulp and paper
- panelboard operator - pulp and paper
- paper machine control operator
- paper maker - control operation
- peroxide bleach plant operator - pulp and paper
- pulping control operator
- pulping group operator - pulp and paper
- pulping technician
- recovery plant operator - pulp and paper
Requirements
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- A college or other program in forest products processing or a related subject may be required for pulping control operators.
- Completion of several weeks of formal company training and several months of on-the-job training is required.
- Several years of experience as a pulp mill, papermaking or finishing machine operator within the same company is usually required.
- A certificate in industrial first aid may be required.
- A competency certificate in natural gas may be required.
Additional information
- There is limited mobility among jobs within this unit group.
- 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 93102 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 | $35.00 | $40.00 | $58.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| New Brunswick | $35.15 | $46.57 | $51.73 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Quebec | $25.24 | $35.42 | $49.18 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Ontario | $23.93 | $33.58 | $43.67 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Alberta | $34.13 | $47.48 | $54.48 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| British Columbia | $34.80 | $47.44 | $59.06 | Small Area Estimation, 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 Quebec.
GoodQuebec
The employment outlook will be Good for pulping, papermaking and coating control operators (NOC 93102) 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.
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 pulping, papermaking and coating control operators in Quebec:
Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators mainly work in the following sectors:
Paper manufacturing (NAICS 322): 86%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 92% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 8% compared to 18% for all occupations
73% of pulping, papermaking and coating control operators work all year, while 27% 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 43 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of pulping, papermaking and coating control operators are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 85% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 15% 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: 31% compared to 19% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 41% compared to 19% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 20% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 8% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
ModerateBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for pulping, papermaking and coating control operators (NOC 93102) in British Columbia 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 small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Increasing demand for green packaging and other specialty-use paper may provide some relief to the pulp industry despite falling demand for news and print.
Employment in forestry-related professions has been declining year-over-year, and the industry faces several curtailments at wood manufacturing facilities.
Stable job growth continues to be inhibited by difficulty accessing economic fibre, falling annual harvests, high U.S. duties and tariffs, and the impacts of extreme weather and wildfires, though the industry remains particularly important to rural and Indigenous communities.
Provincial and federal funding for reforestation projects as well as support for wood manufacturing and mass timber may provide some employment opportunities.
Here are some key facts about pulping, papermaking and coating control operators in British Columbia:
Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators mainly work in the following sectors:
Paper manufacturing (NAICS 322): 94%
Wood product manufacturing (NAICS 321): 6%
80% of pulping, papermaking and coating control operators work all year, while 20% 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 48 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 94% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 6% 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: 61% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 9% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 12% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 9% compared to 22% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
LimitedOntario
The employment outlook will be Limited for pulping, papermaking and coating control operators (NOC 93102) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of some 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 pulping, papermaking and coating control operators in Ontario:
Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators mainly work in the following sectors:
Paper manufacturing (NAICS 322): 78%
Wood product manufacturing (NAICS 321): 13%
Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 9%
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
69% of pulping, papermaking and coating control 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 42 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 92% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 8% 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: 63% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 15% compared to 8% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 19% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
UndeterminedNewfoundland and Labrador
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedPrince Edward Island
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNova Scotia
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNew Brunswick
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedManitoba
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedSaskatchewan
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
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 93102 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.
- 94121 Pulp mill, papermaking and finishing machine operators
- 92014 Supervisors, forest products processing
Same occupation group
Central control and process operators in processing and manufacturing
Questions
NOC 93102: common questions
What is the NOC code for pulping, papermaking and coating control operators?
What TEER category is NOC 93102?
Is NOC 93102 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 93102 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 93102 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 93102 in Canada?
Classification
Where it sits in NOC 2021
- 9Occupations in manufacturing and utilitiesBroad Category
- 93Central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectorsMajor Group
- 931Central control and process operators in processing and manufacturingSub-major Group
- 9310Central control and process operators in processing and manufacturingMinor Group
- 93102Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators
Enquiry
Is NOC 93102 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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