National Occupational Classification, TEER 2
NOC 72301: Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
Steamfitters and pipefitters lay out, assemble, fabricate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair piping systems carrying water, steam, chemicals and fuel in heating, cooling, lubricating and other process piping systems. Below are the main duties, all 37 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 72301?
NOC 72301 is the code for steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include apprentice pipefitter-steamfitter, fire protection mechanic, fire sprinkler fitter and marine pipefitter. 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 $43.89 an hour.
- NOC code
- 72301
- 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
- $43.89 an hour
Job titles under NOC 72301
Steamfitters and pipefitters lay out, assemble, fabricate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair piping systems carrying water, steam, chemicals and fuel in heating, cooling, lubricating and other process piping systems. Sprinkler system installers fabricate, install, test, maintain and repair water, foam, carbon dioxide and dry chemical sprinkler systems in buildings for fire protection purposes. Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers are employed in maintenance departments of factories, plants and similar establishments, and by pipefitting and sprinkler system contractors, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main job titles
- apprentice pipefitter-steamfitter
- fire protection mechanic
- fire sprinkler fitter
- marine pipefitter
- pipefitter
- sprinkler system fitter
- sprinkler system installer
- steamfitter
- steamfitter-pipefitter
All 37 job titles in the NOC index
apprentice pipefitter, apprentice pipefitter-steamfitter, apprentice sprinkler system fitter, apprentice steamfitter, fire prevention and automatic suppression systems installer, fire protection mechanic, fire protection piping installer, fire protection piping system installer, fire sprinkler fitter, journeyman/woman pipefitter, journeyman/woman sprinkler system installer, journeyman/woman steamfitter-pipefitter, maintenance pipefitter, marine pipefitter, marine steamfitter, pipefitter, pipefitter - shipbuilding, pipefitter-steamfitter, radiator pipe installer, railway car and locomotive pipefitter, ship pipefitter, ship steamfitter, sprinkler and fire protection installer, sprinkler fitter, sprinkler system fitter, sprinkler system installer, sprinkler system installer (non-construction), sprinkler system installer apprentice, steam heating installer, steam main servicer, steam pipefitter, steamfitter, steamfitter - shipbuilding, steamfitter/pipefitter (non-construction), steamfitter-pipefitter, turbine pipefitter, welding pipefitter.
Main duties of NOC 72301
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Steamfitters and pipefitters
- Read and interpret drawings, blueprints and specifications to determine layout requirements
- Cut openings for pipe in walls, floors and ceilings using hand or power tools or machines
- Select type and size of pipe required
- Measure, cut, thread and bend pipe to required shape using hand and power tools
- Weld, braze, cement, solder and thread joints to join pipes and fabricate sections of piping system
- Install supports, valves, piping and control systems
- Test system for leaks using testing equipment
- Clean and maintain pipe units and fittings and flush system
- Remove and replace worn components and reactivate system
- May prepare cost estimates for clients.
Sprinkler system installers
- Read and interpret drawings, specifications and fire codes to determine layout requirements
- Install clamps, brackets and hangers to support piping system and sprinkler and fire protection equipment, using hand and power tools
- Select, measure, cut, ream and thread pipe, install sprinkler heads and mount prepared pipe in supports
- Join pipes and piping sections using soldering and welding equipment
- Connect piping system to water mains, supply tanks, pumps, compressors and control equipment
- Installs valves, alarms and associated equipment
- Test system for leaks using air or liquid pressure equipment
- Service and repair sprinkler system
- May prepare cost estimates for clients.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a four- to five-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over five years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in steamfitting, pipefitting or sprinkler system installation is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Steamfitter-pipefitter trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
- Steamfitter-pipefitter (non-construction) trade certification is compulsory in Quebec.
- Sprinkler system installer trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Manitoba and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
- Sprinkler system installer (non-construction) trade certification is compulsory in Quebec.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified steamfitters-pipefitters and sprinkler system installers 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 72301 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 72301 |
|---|---|
| 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 72301 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 | $27.00 | $43.89 | $55.59 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $28.26 | $42.65 | $53.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $27.50 | $45.00 | $60.00 |
| New Brunswick | $29.84 | $43.00 | $53.17 |
| Quebec | $26.87 | $43.88 | $47.40 |
| Ontario | $28.00 | $45.96 | $56.88 |
| Manitoba | $23.20 | $41.93 | $53.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $25.00 | $46.02 | $54.29 |
| Alberta | $26.94 | $44.90 | $56.77 |
| British Columbia | $26.00 | $42.05 | $59.98 |
Source: Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025), data from 2023-2024 (Employment Insurance Survey Data). 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 72301 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 72301 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 pipefitter-steamfitter?
NOC 72301, Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers, a TEER 2 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 72301?
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 72301 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 72301 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 72301 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $43.89 an hour, with most wages between $27.00 and $55.59. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 72301 in NOC 2021 Version 1.0. This page shows the same text, from the open data Statistics Canada publishes.
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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.