National Occupational Classification, TEER 4
NOC 94104: Inspectors and testers, mineral and metal processing
Inspectors and testers in mineral and metal processing inspect, grade, sample or test raw materials and products from mineral ore and metal processing operations. Below are the main duties, all 66 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 94104?
NOC 94104 is the code for inspectors and testers, mineral and metal processing in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include asbestos grader, brick and tile inspector, castings tester - primary metal and mineral products processing and clay products grader. 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 $26.24 an hour.
- NOC code
- 94104
- TEER
- 4: High school or several weeks of training
- Broad category
- Occupations in manufacturing and utilities
- Express Entry
- Not skilled
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $26.24 an hour
Job titles under NOC 94104
Inspectors and testers in mineral and metal processing inspect, grade, sample or test raw materials and products from mineral ore and metal processing operations. They are employed in mineral ore and metal processing plants such as copper, lead and zinc refineries, uranium processing plants, steel mills, aluminum plants, precious metal refineries, cement processing plants, clay, glass and stone processing plants and foundries.
Main job titles
- asbestos grader
- brick and tile inspector
- castings tester - primary metal and mineral products processing
- clay products grader
- core tester - foundry
- fibreglass tester
- glass quality control inspector
- heat treating inspector - metal processing
- metal processing inspector
- mineral sampler - mineral products processing
- molten metal sampler - primary metal processing
- salvage glass inspector
- sheet steel inspector - primary metal processing
- steel tester - primary metal processing
All 66 job titles in the NOC index
abrasive and clay products grader, abrasive wheel tester, anode adjuster - primary metal processing, asbestos classifier, asbestos fibre inspector and tester, asbestos grader, asbestos shingle inspector, brick and tile inspector, brick and tile tester, brick grader, castings inspector - foundry, castings tester - primary metal and mineral products processing, cell tester - primary metal processing, cement plant inspector, clay products grader, clay tile grader - mineral products processing, coke inspector - primary metal processing, coke sampler and tester - primary metal processing, concrete products inspector, concrete products tester, core inspector - foundry, core tester - foundry, electrolytic cell tester - primary metal processing, fibreglass tester, finishing inspector - primary metal and mineral products processing, foundry sand tester, furnace combustion tester - primary metal processing, glass container tester, glass inspector, glass quality control inspector, glass tester, gravel grader - mineral products processing, hardness tester - primary metal processing, heat treating inspector - metal processing, ingots inspector - primary metal processing, inspector - metal processing, inspector - primary metal and mineral products processing, iron pellet hardness tester - metal processing, laminated asbestos products inspector, metal processing inspector, metal strength tester - primary metal processing, metal tensile strength tester - primary metal processing, mineral sampler - mineral products processing, molten metal sampler - primary metal processing, monument inspector - mineral products processing, ore sample tester - mineral products processing, ore sampler - mineral products processing, physical tester - steel mill, plasterboard inspector - mineral products processing, pottery and porcelain ware inspector, quality assurance inspector - steel mill, salvage glass inspector, sample tester - primary metal and mineral products processing, sampler - primary metal and mineral products processing, sheet and plate inspector - steel mill, sheet steel inspector - primary metal processing, steel inspector - primary metal processing, steel sheet inspector - primary metal processing, steel tester - primary metal processing, stone inspector - mineral products processing, stonework grader, tester and inspector - primary metal and mineral products processing, tin plate inspector and grader, uranium ore evaluator, wire products inspector, wire tester and inspector - primary metal processing.
Main duties of NOC 94104
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Inspect mineral ore, metal, cement, glass, clay or concrete products at various stages of processing to ensure adherence to specifications
- Grade and label raw materials or finished products according to size, thickness, composition or other classification standards
- Take samples of products during or after processing operation for routine analysis or for subsequent laboratory analysis
- Test product for strength, density, durability and conformance to specifications
- Advise supervisor or central control operator and process machine operators of problems and product deficiencies
- Complete inspection and test reports.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Experience as a machine or process operator in mineral and metal processing is usually required.
Is NOC 94104 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 94104 |
|---|---|
| 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 94104 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 | $19.50 | $26.24 | $40.12 |
| Quebec | $20.00 | $25.88 | $37.52 |
| Ontario | $18.65 | $25.00 | $36.25 |
| Alberta | $20.00 | $32.65 | $63.75 |
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 94104 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 94104 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 asbestos grader?
NOC 94104, Inspectors and testers, mineral and metal processing, a TEER 4 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 94104?
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 94104 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 94104 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 94104 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $26.24 an hour, with most wages between $19.50 and $40.12. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 94104 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.