National Occupational Classification, TEER 2
NOC 22101: Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
Geological and mineral technologists and technicians provide technical support and services or may work independently in the fields of oil and gas exploration and production, geophysics, petroleum engineering, geology, mining and mining engineering, mineralogy, extractive and physical metallurgy, metallurgical engineering and environmental protection. Below are the main duties, all 84 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 22101?
NOC 22101 is the code for geological and mineral technologists and technicians in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include assayer, geological technician, geophysical technologist and groundwater technologist. It is a TEER 2 occupation (usually a college diploma, an apprenticeship of 2 or more years, or a supervisory role), so it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. The Job Bank median wage across Canada is $30.53 an hour.
- NOC code
- 22101
- TEER
- 2: College diploma or apprenticeship of 2+ years
- Broad category
- Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
- Express Entry
- Skilled (TEER 0 to 3)
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $30.53 an hour
Job titles under NOC 22101
Geological and mineral technologists and technicians provide technical support and services or may work independently in the fields of oil and gas exploration and production, geophysics, petroleum engineering, geology, mining and mining engineering, mineralogy, extractive and physical metallurgy, metallurgical engineering and environmental protection. They are employed by petroleum and mining companies, consulting geology and engineering firms, and by governments and educational institutions as well as by a variety of manufacturing, construction and utilities companies.
Main job titles
- assayer
- geological technician
- geophysical technologist
- groundwater technologist
- log technician
- marine geoscience technologist
- metallurgical technologist
- mineralogy technician
- mining engineering technologist
- mining technologist
- petroleum engineering technologist
- petroleum technician
- petrology technician
- reservoir engineering technician
- rock mechanics technician
- seismic technician
- welding technologist
All 84 job titles in the NOC index
airborne geophysical equipment operator, assayer, assayer - mineralogy, diamond drilling technician, drilling fluid technician, foundry laboratory technician, geological engineering technician, geological engineering technologist, geological prospecting technologist, geological survey technician, geological technician, geological technologist, geology technical assistant, geophysical data technician, geophysical observer, geophysical prospecting technologist, geophysical survey technician, geophysical survey technologist, geophysical technician, geophysical technologist, geotechnician, gold assayer, gold prospector, gravity data technician, groundwater technologist, heat treat technician, hydrographic survey technician, hydrographic survey technologist, hydrological technician, hydrology technician, laboratory technician - metallurgy, log analyst, log technician, magnetic observer, marine geoscience technologist, metallurgical control analyst, metallurgical engineering technician, metallurgical engineering technologist, metallurgical technologist, mine analyst, mine development technologist, mine production technician, mine survey technician, mine survey technologist, mineral technician, mineral technologist, mineralogy technician, mineralogy technologist, mining engineering technician, mining engineering technologist, mining survey technician, mining survey technologist, mining technician, mining technologist, mud man/woman - petroleum drilling, oil geology technologist, ore technologist, paleontology technician, palynology technician, petroleum engineering technician, petroleum engineering technologist, petroleum field technologist, petroleum geology technologist, petroleum technician, petrology technician, physical metallurgy technician, physical metallurgy technologist, precious metal assayer, prospector, reservoir engineering technician, rock mechanics technician, sea-bottom technologist, sea-floor technologist, seismic exploration line crew coordinator, seismic exploration observer, seismic prospecting observer, seismic survey coordinator, seismic technician, seismology technician - petroleum geology, seismology technologist - petroleum geology, seismometer technician, soil science technician - mining, welding technician - mining, welding technologist.
Also included in this group
- laboratory technician - metallurgy
Main duties of NOC 22101
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Geological and mineral technologists
- Conduct or direct geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging or underground mine survey programs
- Configure, operate and maintain geophysical survey and well logging instruments and equipment
- Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps and cross sections
- Prepare, transcribe or analyze seismic, gravimetric, well log or other geophysical and survey data
- Assist engineers and geologists in the evaluation and analysis of petroleum and mineral reservoirs
- Prepare or supervise the preparation of rock, mineral or metal samples and perform physical and chemical laboratory tests
- Conduct or assist in environmental audits, in the design of measures to minimize undesirable environmental effects of new or expanded mining and oil and gas operations, and in the development of waste management and other related environmental protection procedures
- May supervise oil and gas well drilling, well completions and work-overs
- May conduct or supervise studies and programs related to mine development, mining methods, mine ventilation, lighting, drainage and ground control
- May assist engineers and metallurgists in specifying material selection, metal treatments or corrosion protection systems
- May assist hydrogeologists in evaluating groundwater and well circulation and in report preparation
- May develop specifications for heat treatment of metals or for welding, design welding fixtures, troubleshoot welding processes or quality problems and supervise welding projects
- May coordinate crew members' activities during seismic tests.
Geological and mineral technicians
- Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging or underground mine survey programs and in environmental audits and related environmental protection activities
- Operate and maintain geophysical survey and well logging instruments and equipment
- Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps and cross sections
- Assist in preparing, transcribing or analyzing seismic, gravimetric, well log or other geophysical and survey data
- Assist in the preparation of rock, mineral or metal samples and in conducting physical and chemical laboratory tests
- Assist in hydrogeological field and laboratory studies and in preparation of reports
- Carry out a limited range of other technical functions in support of geology, geophysics and petroleum and mining engineering.
Employment requirements
- Geological and mineral technologists usually require completion of a two- to three-year college program in geological technology, petroleum technology, petroleum engineering technology, hydrogeology or groundwater technology, mining technology, mining engineering technology, mineralogy, metallurgical technology, or welding technology.
- Geophysics technologists usually require completion of a two- to three-year college program in electronics technology.
- Geological and mineral technicians usually require completion of a one- to two-year college program in a related field.
- Certification in geological and mineral technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by employers.
- In Quebec, membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title "Professional Technologist."
- A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.
Additional information
- There is limited mobility among occupations in this group.
- Mobility may be possible between geophysical technology and electronic technology.
- Mobility may be possible between some occupations in this group and related fields of civil engineering technology.
Is NOC 22101 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes for the programs that need skilled work: TEER 2 is in the TEER 0 to 3 range IRCC accepts.
| Program or draw | NOC 22101 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Occupation category draws (2026) | Not on any occupation 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 22101 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 | $20.95 | $30.53 | $52.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00 | $33.00 | $57.44 |
| Nova Scotia | $20.00 | $30.00 | $53.85 |
| New Brunswick | $20.00 | $30.00 | $53.85 |
| Quebec | $22.00 | $33.00 | $62.50 |
| Ontario | $20.00 | $29.76 | $48.72 |
| Manitoba | $23.75 | $31.00 | $47.50 |
| Saskatchewan | $22.32 | $37.00 | $50.00 |
| Alberta | $21.59 | $31.25 | $67.00 |
| British Columbia | $22.00 | $30.00 | $43.75 |
| Yukon | $26.40 | $49.48 | $57.50 |
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 22101 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 22101 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 assayer?
NOC 22101, Geological and mineral technologists and technicians, a TEER 2 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 22101?
TEER 2. Usually a college diploma, an apprenticeship of 2 or more years, or a supervisory role. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 22101 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes. As a TEER 2 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 22101 in an Express Entry category-based draw?
No. It is not on any 2026 occupation list. The French-language proficiency category is open to any occupation if you reach NCLC 7 in French. See every category.
How much does NOC 22101 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $30.53 an hour, with most wages between $20.95 and $52.00. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 22101 in NOC 2021 Version 1.0. This page shows the same text, from the open data Statistics Canada publishes.
Your duties fit. Now show employers.
CVMaple turns the work you did into a Canadian resume: the right format, strong bullets and the keywords Canadian applicant tracking systems look for.
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.