National Occupational Classification, TEER 2
NOC 72203: Electrical power line and cable workers
Electrical power line and cable workers construct, maintain and repair overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems. Below are the main duties, all 62 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 72203?
NOC 72203 is the code for electrical power line and cable workers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include apprentice lineman/woman - electric power systems, cable installer - electrical power, cable splicer - electrical power and construction lineman/woman - electrical power line. 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 $46.00 an hour.
- NOC code
- 72203
- TEER
- 2: College diploma or apprenticeship of 2+ years
- Broad category
- Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
- Express Entry
- Skilled (TEER 0 to 3)
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $46.00 an hour
Job titles under NOC 72203
Electrical power line and cable workers construct, maintain and repair overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems. They are employed by electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies, electrical contractors and public utility commissions. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main job titles
- apprentice lineman/woman - electric power systems
- cable installer - electrical power
- cable splicer - electrical power
- construction lineman/woman - electrical power line
- power line patroller
- power lineman/woman
- powerline technician
All 62 job titles in the NOC index
apprentice line maintainer - electric power systems, apprentice lineman/woman - electric power systems, apprentice power line repairer, assistant transmission lineman/woman - electric power systems, cable installer - electric power systems, cable installer - electrical power, cable installer and repairer - electric power systems, cable jointer - electric power systems, cable line worker - electric power systems, cable repairer - electric power systems, cable splicer - electric power systems, cable splicer - electrical power, cableman/woman - electric power systems, conduit installer - electric power systems, construction lineman/woman - electric power systems, construction lineman/woman - electrical power line, distribution construction lineman, electric meter installer - electric power systems, electric meter setter - electric power systems, electrical cable splicer - electric power systems, emergency line repairer - electric power systems, emergency servicer - electric power systems, high voltage lineman/linewoman, high voltage lineman/woman - electric power systems, high-voltage maintenance lineman/woman, high-voltage power line patroller - electric power systems, high-voltage tower lineman/woman, lead lineman/woman - electric power systems, lead lineman/woman - electricity production and transmission, lead splicer - electric power systems, line checker - electric power systems, line installation trainee - electric power systems, line maintainer - electric power systems, line patroller - electric power systems, line repairer - electric power systems, line servicer - electric power systems, lineman/woman - electric power systems, lineman/woman - electric streetcar, lineman/woman trainee - electric power systems, lineman/woman trainee - electricity production and transmission, lineworker - electrical power systems, maintenance lineman/woman - electric power systems, meter installer - electric power systems, power line maintainer - electric power systems, power line patroller, power line repairer - electric power systems, power lineman/woman, power lineman/woman - electricity production and transmission, powerline technician, repair lineman/woman - electric power systems, service lineman/woman - electric power systems, streetlight repairer, streetlight repairer - electric power systems, streetlight serviceman/woman - electric power systems, streetlight servicer - electric power systems, tower line maintainer - electric power systems, tower lineman/woman - electric power systems, traffic light repairer, transmission lineman/woman - electric power systems, underground cable splicer - electric power systems, underground lineman/woman - electric power systems, wire splicer - electric power systems.
Main duties of NOC 72203
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems including overhead and underground power lines and cables, insulators, conductors, lightning arrestors, switches, transformers and other associated equipment
- Erect and maintain steel, wood or concrete poles, towers and guy wires
- Splice, solder and insulate conductors and related wiring to connect power distribution and transmission networks using splicing tools, related electrical equipment and tools
- Inspect and test overhead and underground power lines and cables and auxiliary equipment using electrical test equipment
- Climb ladders or operate hydraulic buckets when working aloft on poles and towers, or work in confined spaces such as trenches and tunnels to install power lines and cables and associated equipment
- Install and maintain street lighting systems
- Communicate with other workers to coordinate the preparation and completion of work assignments.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a provincial three- or four-year lineman/woman apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in electrical technology is usually required for electrical power line and cable workers.
- Trade certification for powerline technicians is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- Trade certification for powerline technicians (construction) is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Trade certification for distribution construction linemen/women is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified powerline technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Additional information
- The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Is NOC 72203 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 72203 |
|---|---|
| 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 | A listed skilled 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 72203 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 | $28.40 | $46.00 | $62.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $23.50 | $44.00 | $50.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $27.00 | $42.00 | $45.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $29.61 | $51.35 | $70.79 |
| New Brunswick | $31.41 | $47.26 | $65.44 |
| Quebec | $30.90 | $42.49 | $49.20 |
| Ontario | $29.70 | $45.00 | $62.00 |
| Manitoba | $27.40 | $47.00 | $55.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $35.00 | $47.85 | $62.00 |
| Alberta | $31.75 | $55.00 | $67.31 |
| British Columbia | $32.00 | $50.00 | $63.00 |
| Yukon | $54.61 | $72.75 | $79.57 |
| Northwest Territories | $39.38 | $66.32 | $78.51 |
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 72203 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 72203 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 apprentice lineman/woman - electric power systems?
NOC 72203, Electrical power line and cable workers, a TEER 2 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 72203?
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 72203 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, and it is also a listed Federal Skilled Trades occupation. You still have to meet every other requirement, and your duties must match the NOC description.
Is NOC 72203 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 72203 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $46.00 an hour, with most wages between $28.40 and $62.00. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 72203 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.