National Occupational Classification, TEER 4
NOC 74204: Utility maintenance workers
Utility maintenance workers locate, repair, install and perform maintenance work to various equipment and facilities, such as water filtration and distribution plants, waste water treatment plants and power plants. Below are the main duties, all 38 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 74204?
NOC 74204 is the code for utility maintenance workers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include gas leak locator, gas maintenance worker, gas utility operator and pipeline maintenance worker. It is a TEER 4 occupation (usually a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training), so it does not count as skilled work for Express Entry. The Job Bank median wage across Canada is $34.00 an hour.
- NOC code
- 74204
- TEER
- 4: High school or several weeks of training
- Broad category
- Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
- Express Entry
- Not skilled
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $34.00 an hour
Job titles under NOC 74204
Utility maintenance workers locate, repair, install and perform maintenance work to various equipment and facilities, such as water filtration and distribution plants, waste water treatment plants and power plants. They may also work on exterior and underground gas mains and distribution lines. They are employed by municipal, provincial and federal public works departments, private contractors under contract with government public works departments and gas distribution companies.
Main job titles
- gas leak locator
- gas maintenance worker
- gas utility operator
- pipeline maintenance worker
- pipeline patrolman/woman
- power pole inspector
- utility locator
- utility plant maintenance worker
- waterworks maintenance worker
All 38 job titles in the NOC index
damage prevention technician, distribution and maintenance worker - utilities, field measurement hand - utilities, gas leak inspector, gas leak locator, gas leak surveyor, gas main leak inspector, gas main leak locator, gas main leakage tester, gas main maintenance and repairman/woman, gas maintenance worker, gas meter installer, gas regulator, gas utility operator, hydrant and valve maintenance worker, line locator - utilities, maintenance utility worker, pipe locator - utilities, pipeline maintenance worker, pipeline patrolman/woman, pipeline rehabilitation worker, power pole inspector, troubleshooter - pipeline, underground lines inspector - utilities, utility locator, utility maintenance worker, utility plant maintenance worker, utility pole inspector, utility pole tester, water main maintenance man/woman, water main maintenance worker, water meter installer, water supply maintenance worker, water system maintenance worker, water utilities plant maintenance man/woman, waterworks maintenance worker, waterworks repairman/woman, waterworks utility servicer.
Main duties of NOC 74204
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Waterworks maintenance workers
- Check, clean and lubricate waterworks equipment, such as pumping equipment, chlorination equipment and compressors
- Adjust and repair waterworks equipment under the direction of qualified tradesperson
- Search and locate reported water leaks and repair water-mains, valves or outlets
- Install water meters using hand and power tools.
Gas maintenance workers
- Check and lubricate gas pipeline valves
- Conduct routine survey of gas mains and distribution lines to detect and locate escaping gas using gas detecting devices
- Investigate reports of gas leaks to determine the exact location and extent of leaks
- Dig ground to expose gas lines and repair damaged pipes
- Keep record of work performed and location and condition of pipelines
- Provide information on underground gas distribution lines and observe excavation work to ensure that underground gas facilities are protected.
Other utility workers
- Operate equipment and instruments to locate and mark underground utility lines and pipes
- Provide information on underground utility lines
- Operate equipment and hand tools to inspect and test utility poles for decay and deterioration.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school may be required.
- Several years of experience as a labourer in the same company may be required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- Drinking water certification is required in Quebec and Ontario for waterworks maintenance workers.
Additional information
- Mobility between jobs in this unit group normally occurs within the same area of work, such as within waste water treatment plants, within water filtration and distribution plants or within gas distribution plants.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Is NOC 74204 eligible for Express Entry?
Not for the main Express Entry programs, which need TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 work. TEER 4 jobs can still lead to permanent residence through some provincial and other programs, so check each program's own list.
| Program or draw | NOC 74204 |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | Does not count (TEER 4) |
| Canadian Experience Class | Does not count (TEER 4) |
| 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 74204 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 | $23.00 | $34.00 | $48.08 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00 | $30.14 | $36.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $20.00 | $30.14 | $36.00 |
| New Brunswick | $17.00 | $30.00 | $30.20 |
| Quebec | $24.16 | $30.95 | $42.51 |
| Ontario | $25.00 | $36.06 | $43.00 |
| Manitoba | $22.00 | $27.00 | $40.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $19.04 | $26.68 | $36.82 |
| Alberta | $22.00 | $36.19 | $61.79 |
| British Columbia | $31.80 | $36.21 | $50.00 |
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 74204 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 74204 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 gas leak locator?
NOC 74204, Utility maintenance workers, a TEER 4 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 74204?
TEER 4. Usually a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 74204 eligible for Express Entry?
Not for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Trades Program, which need TEER 0 to 3 work. Some provincial nominee programs and other pathways accept TEER 4 jobs.
Is NOC 74204 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 74204 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $34.00 an hour, with most wages between $23.00 and $48.08. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 74204 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.