National Occupational Classification, TEER 2
NOC 72603: Engineer officers, water transport
Engineer officers in water transport, operate and maintain main engines, machinery and auxiliary equipment aboard ships and other self-propelled vessels, and supervise and coordinate the activities of engine room crews. 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 72603?
NOC 72603 is the code for engineer officers, water transport in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include chief engineer - water transport, engineer officer - water transport, fourth engineer - water transport and marine engineer officer. 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 $37.00 an hour.
- NOC code
- 72603
- 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
- $37.00 an hour
Job titles under NOC 72603
Engineer officers in water transport, operate and maintain main engines, machinery and auxiliary equipment aboard ships and other self-propelled vessels, and supervise and coordinate the activities of engine room crews. They are employed by marine transportation companies and federal government departments. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main job titles
- chief engineer - water transport
- engineer officer - water transport
- fourth engineer - water transport
- marine engineer officer
- second engineer
- third engineer - water transport
- tugboat engineer
All 37 job titles in the NOC index
apprentice marine engineer officer, assistant engineer - water transport, chief engineer - water transport, chief marine engineer - water transport, Coast Guard vessel chief engineer, Coast Guard vessel first watchkeeping engineer, Coast Guard vessel marine engineer officer, Coast Guard vessel second engineer, Coast Guard vessel second watchkeeping engineer, Coast Guard vessel senior engineer, Coast Guard vessel third engineer, Coast Guard vessel third watchkeeping engineer, engineer officer - water transport, factory freezer trawler chief marine engineer, factory freezer trawler first engineer, factory freezer trawler second engineer, fishing vessel chief engineer, fishing vessel engineer officer, fourth engineer - water transport, junior engineer - water transport, marine engineer officer, marine engineer officer - water transport, marine engineer officer-cadet (except armed forces), marine second engineer - water transport, marine senior engineer - water transport, mobile platform chief engineer - offshore drilling, offshore drilling rig marine engineer officer, second engineer, second engineer - water transport, self-propelled barge marine engineer officer, self-propelled drilling rig chief engineer, self-propelled drilling rig first engineer, self-propelled drilling rig marine engineer officer, self-propelled drilling rig second engineer, ship engineer officer, third engineer - water transport, tugboat engineer.
Main duties of NOC 72603
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Operate main engines, machinery and all auxiliary equipment aboard ships, such as boilers, steering and deck machinery, motors, pumps, generators and condensers
- Stand engine room watch, monitoring and noting performance of engines, machinery and all auxiliary equipment
- Inspect and conduct maintenance and emergency repairs to engines, machinery and all auxiliary equipment
- Supervise and coordinate the activities of the engine room crew
- Maintain records and prepare reports on engine performance and failures.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- Completion of a three-year cadet program in marine engineering from an approved marine training institute or Approximately three years of experience as an engine room crew member and six months of formal training at an approved marine training institute or Approximately three years of experience as an engine mechanic and six months of experience as an engine room crew member are required for certification as a fourth class marine engineer.
- A marine engineer officer certificate of competency, issued by Transport Canada, is required.
Additional information
- Fourth class marine engineer certificate is the entry level of a four-level certification program administered by Transport Canada. Progression from one level of certification to the next requires additional experience, training and testing.
- Mobility between employers is possible for positions requiring the same level of certification.
- Progression to management positions in transportation is possible with experience.
Is NOC 72603 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 72603 |
|---|---|
| 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 72603 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 | $26.78 | $37.00 | $61.54 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $27.47 | $38.27 | $74.79 |
| Nova Scotia | $21.00 | $32.05 | $45.67 |
| Quebec | $31.11 | $35.00 | $50.21 |
| Ontario | $24.50 | $45.67 | $66.36 |
| British Columbia | $25.00 | $45.00 | $55.60 |
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 72603 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 72603 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 engineer - water transport?
NOC 72603, Engineer officers, water transport, a TEER 2 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 72603?
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 72603 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 72603 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 72603 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $37.00 an hour, with most wages between $26.78 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 72603 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.