National Occupational Classification, TEER 2
NOC 22303: Construction estimators
Construction estimators analyze costs of and prepare estimates on civil engineering, architectural, structural, electrical and mechanical construction projects. Below are the main duties, all 20 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 22303?
NOC 22303 is the code for construction estimators in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include chief estimator - construction, construction estimator, cost estimator - construction and principal estimator - construction. 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, and IRCC lists it for the trades category draw. The Job Bank median wage across Canada is $37.84 an hour.
- NOC code
- 22303
- 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
- Trades
- Median wage
- $37.84 an hour
Job titles under NOC 22303
Construction estimators analyze costs of and prepare estimates on civil engineering, architectural, structural, electrical and mechanical construction projects. They are employed by residential, commercial and industrial construction companies and major electrical, mechanical and trade contractors, or they may be self-employed.
Main job titles
- chief estimator - construction
- construction estimator
- cost estimator - construction
- principal estimator - construction
- professional quantity surveyor
- quantity surveyor - construction
All 20 job titles in the NOC index
building construction estimator, certified construction estimator, chief estimator - construction, construction cost consultant, construction cost estimator, construction estimator, contractors estimator, cost estimator - construction, electrical and mechanical quantity surveyor, electrical estimator - construction, junior estimator - construction, mechanical estimator - construction, plumbing estimator - construction, principal estimator - construction, professional estimator - construction, professional quantity surveyor, quantity surveyor - construction, quantity surveyor-estimator, senior estimator - construction, trade contractor estimator - construction.
Main duties of NOC 22303
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Prepare estimates of probable costs of materials, labour and equipment for construction projects based on contract bids, quotations, schematic drawings and specifications
- Advise on tendering procedures, examine and analyze tenders, recommend tender awards and conduct negotiations
- Establish and maintain tendering process and set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures
- Prepare cost and expenditure statements and forecasts at regular intervals for the duration of a project
- Prepare and maintain a directory of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors
- Liaise, consult and communicate with engineers, architects, owners, contractors and subcontractors, and prepare economic feasibility studies on changes and adjustments to cost estimates
- Manage and coordinate construction projects and prepare construction progress schedules.
- Estimators may specialize in estimating costs for structural, electrical or mechanical construction projects.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- Completion of a three-year college program in civil or construction engineering technology or Several years of experience as a qualified tradesperson in a construction trade such as plumbing, carpentry or electrical, are required.
- Certification by the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors is usually required.
Additional information
- Progression to more senior positions in this unit group, such as senior estimator or to construction management positions is possible with experience.
Is NOC 22303 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 22303 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Trade 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 22303 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 | $24.04 | $37.84 | $61.54 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $23.67 | $38.98 | $54.48 |
| Prince Edward Island | $23.05 | $31.42 | $59.55 |
| Nova Scotia | $34.62 | $39.56 | $53.37 |
| New Brunswick | $22.00 | $33.65 | $48.08 |
| Quebec | $25.00 | $33.50 | $48.00 |
| Ontario | $24.00 | $38.46 | $61.54 |
| Manitoba | $23.55 | $32.50 | $55.29 |
| Saskatchewan | $25.92 | $38.54 | $56.23 |
| Alberta | $28.85 | $40.87 | $88.89 |
| British Columbia | $26.44 | $40.24 | $77.78 |
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 22303 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 22303 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.
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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 chief estimator - construction?
NOC 22303, Construction estimators, a TEER 2 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 22303?
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 22303 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 22303 in an Express Entry category-based draw?
Yes. IRCC’s 2026 list puts it in the trades 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 22303 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $37.84 an hour, with most wages between $24.04 and $61.54. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 22303 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.