National Occupational Classification, TEER 1
NOC 21301: Mechanical engineers
Mechanical engineers research, design and develop machinery and systems for heating, ventilating and air conditioning, power generation, transportation, processing and manufacturing. Below are the main duties, all 46 job titles it covers, what it means for Express Entry and what it pays in each province.
Updated
- Official NOC 2021 data
- Job Bank wages
What is NOC 21301?
NOC 21301 is the code for mechanical engineers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include acoustics engineer, automotive engineer, design engineer - mechanical and energy conservation engineer. It is a TEER 1 occupation (usually a university degree), so it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, and IRCC lists it for the STEM category draw. The Job Bank median wage across Canada is $45.67 an hour.
- NOC code
- 21301
- TEER
- 1: University degree
- Broad category
- Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
- Express Entry
- Skilled (TEER 0 to 3)
- Category draws
- STEM
- Median wage
- $45.67 an hour
Job titles under NOC 21301
Mechanical engineers research, design and develop machinery and systems for heating, ventilating and air conditioning, power generation, transportation, processing and manufacturing. They also perform duties related to the evaluation, installation, operation and maintenance of mechanical systems. They are employed by consulting firms, by power-generating utilities and in a wide range of manufacturing, processing and transportation industries, or they may be self-employed.
Main job titles
- acoustics engineer
- automotive engineer
- design engineer - mechanical
- energy conservation engineer
- fluid mechanics engineer
- heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer
- mechanical engineer
- mechanical maintenance engineer
- nuclear engineer
- piping engineer
- power generation engineer
- refrigeration engineer
- robotics engineer
- thermal design engineer
- tool engineer
All 46 job titles in the NOC index
acoustical engineer, acoustics and vibration engineer, acoustics engineer, automotive engineer, building systems engineer, building systems engineering project manager, chief mechanical engineer, consulting mechanical engineer, cryogenics engineer, design engineer - mechanical, diesel engineer - design and research, energy conservation engineer, fluid mechanics engineer, gas utilization mechanical engineer, heating specialist engineer, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer, internal combustion engineer, lubrication engineer, maintenance engineering lead - mechanical, marine mechanical engineer, mechanical design engineer, mechanical engineer, mechanical engineering lead, mechanical engineering project manager, mechanical hydraulic engineer, mechanical maintenance engineer, mechanical power engineer, mechatronic engineer, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) research engineer, mould design engineer, nuclear design engineer, nuclear engineer, nuclear operations engineer, oil well equipment design engineer, pattern engineer, piping engineer, power generation engineer, power plant engineer, project engineer - building systems, project mechanical engineer, refrigeration engineer, robotics engineer, thermal design engineer, thermal power engineer, tool engineer, tribologist.
Main duties of NOC 21301
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct research into the feasibility, design, operation and performance of mechanisms, components and systems
- Plan and manage projects, and prepare material, cost and timing estimates, reports and design specifications for machinery and systems
- Design power plants, machines, components, tools, fixtures and equipment
- Analyze dynamics and vibrations of mechanical systems and structures
- Supervise and inspect the installation, modification and commissioning of mechanical systems at construction sites or in industrial facilities
- Develop maintenance standards, schedules and programs and provide guidance to industrial maintenance crews
- Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems
- Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for industrial construction or maintenance
- Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers and review and approve designs, calculations and cost estimates.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Additional information
- There is considerable mobility between mechanical engineering specializations at the less senior levels.
- Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience.
- Mechanical engineers work closely with civil, electrical, aerospace, chemical, industrial and other engineers, and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization in these disciplines.
- Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.
Is NOC 21301 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes for the programs that need skilled work: TEER 1 is in the TEER 0 to 3 range IRCC accepts.
| Program or draw | NOC 21301 |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | Counts as skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) |
| Canadian Experience Class | Counts as skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | Not a listed trade |
| Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations (category draw) | On the eligible list |
| French-language proficiency (category draw) | Open to any occupation with NCLC 7 in French |
Read how TEER categories work and the full list of NOC codes in each 2026 category draw. Category draws also need at least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in one listed occupation within the past 3 years.
How much does NOC 21301 pay?
Job Bank wages for this occupation, per hour. Low and high are, in most cases, the 10th and 90th percentiles, so 8 in 10 workers earn somewhere between them.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $30.00 | $45.67 | $72.49 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $35.00 | $47.31 | $75.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $27.90 | $43.86 | $66.03 |
| New Brunswick | $31.25 | $45.67 | $82.05 |
| Quebec | $30.00 | $44.00 | $66.83 |
| Ontario | $30.45 | $46.42 | $72.49 |
| Manitoba | $28.20 | $42.82 | $65.23 |
| Saskatchewan | $33.65 | $50.00 | $64.90 |
| Alberta | $33.65 | $52.88 | $96.15 |
| British Columbia | $32.00 | $43.27 | $72.12 |
Source: Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025), data from 2023-2024 (Labour Force Survey). Wages for job offers in LMIA and provincial programs are compared with these figures, so check the current numbers on Job Bank before you rely on them.
Using NOC 21301 duties on your resume
Canadian resumes do not list NOC codes. Employers read your job titles, what you did and what came of it. The NOC duties are still a useful checklist: if you did these tasks, say so in your own words and add the numbers that prove it.
For Express Entry, the reference letter from your employer should describe the duties you really performed, in line with this lead statement and most of the main duties, without copying the NOC text word for word. The free reference letter generator checks your duties against NOC 21301 as you write.
- Start each bullet with a strong verb and end it with a result: how many, how often, how fast.
- Use the job title your employer used, even if the NOC title is different.
- Keep immigration details such as your NOC code and permit type off the resume.
Turn my duties into a resume Free to start, no card.
Where this information comes from
Occupation codes, titles and descriptions are adapted from Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
Wages come from Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Express Entry rules come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): the program pages for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the category-based selection page as modified on June 22, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for a acoustics engineer?
NOC 21301, Mechanical engineers, a TEER 1 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 21301?
TEER 1. Usually a university degree. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 21301 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes. As a TEER 1 occupation it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. You still have to meet every other requirement, and your duties must match the NOC description.
Is NOC 21301 in an Express Entry category-based draw?
Yes. IRCC’s 2026 list puts it in the STEM category. You need at least 12 months of full-time work (or the same part-time) in it within the past 3 years.
How much does NOC 21301 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $45.67 an hour, with most wages between $30.00 and $72.49. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 21301 in NOC 2021 Version 1.0. This page shows the same text, from the open data Statistics Canada publishes.
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More on NOC codes and Canadian resumes
- NOC Code Finder: Describe your duties and get your NOC 2021 code, TEER and Express Entry eligibility. Free.
- NOC Codes Canada: Full List: All 516 NOC 2021 codes with their TEER, duties and wages.
- TEER Categories Explained: What TEER 0 to 5 means, which count for Express Entry, and every job in each one.
- Express Entry Category Draws: NOC Codes: Every NOC code on the 2026 healthcare, STEM, trades, education and other lists.
- Canadian Resume Examples by Job: Real examples for cashiers, caregivers, trades, tech, students and more.
- Newcomer Resume Guide: Turn international experience into a resume Canadian employers understand.