National Occupational Classification, TEER 4
NOC 94120: Sawmill machine operators
Sawmill machine operators operate, monitor and control automated lumbermill equipment to saw timber logs into rough lumber; saw, trim and plane rough lumber into dressed lumber of various sizes; and saw or split shingles and shakes. Below are the main duties, all 73 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 94120?
NOC 94120 is the code for sawmill machine operators in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include circular saw operator, edgerman/woman, head sawyer and log cut-off operator. 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 $27.35 an hour.
- NOC code
- 94120
- 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
- $27.35 an hour
Job titles under NOC 94120
Sawmill machine operators operate, monitor and control automated lumbermill equipment to saw timber logs into rough lumber; saw, trim and plane rough lumber into dressed lumber of various sizes; and saw or split shingles and shakes. They are employed in sawmills and planing mills.
Main job titles
- circular saw operator
- edgerman/woman
- head sawyer
- log cut-off operator
- planer operator
- resaw operator
- shake splitter
- trimmerman/woman
All 73 job titles in the NOC index
automatic edger operator - sawmill, block splitter - sawmill, board sawyer - sawmill, bolt sawyer - sawmill, bolterman/woman - sawmill, canter operator - sawmill, chip reclaim operator - sawmill, Chip-N-Saw operator - sawmill, circular saw operator, circular saw operator - sawmill, cut-off saw operator - sawmill, drag saw operator - sawmill, edger - sawmill, edgerman/woman, edgerman/woman - sawmill, gang sawyer - sawmill, head sawyer, head sawyer - sawmill, headrig operator - sawmill, head-saw operator - sawmill, high-speed stud operator - sawmill, jumbo operator - sawmill, log cut-off operator, log cut-off operator - sawmill, log cut-off sawyer - sawmill, log gang saw operator - sawmill, log gang sawyer - sawmill, log haul cut-off saw operator - sawmill, log hoist operator - sawmill, lumber sizer operator - sawmill, machine splitter - sawmill, planer - sawmill, planer mill machine operator, planer operator, planer operator - sawmill, planerman/woman - sawmill, resaw operator, resaw operator - sawmill, resawyer - sawmill, ripsaw operator - sawmill, saw operator - sawmill, sawdust reclaim operator - sawmill, sawing machine operator - sawmill, sawmill machine operator, sawyer - sawmill, scrag-saw operator - sawmill, shake maker, shake sawyer, shake sawyer - sawmill, shake splitter, shingle cutter, shingle cutter - sawmill, shingle maker, shingle sawyer, slab saw operator, slasher operator - sawmill, slasher saw operator - sawmill, slasher trim operator - sawmill, splitter - sawmill, splitter operator - sawmill, stave bolt saw operator, stave bolt sawyer - sawmill, tilt-hoist operator - sawmill, timber cut-off sawyer - sawmill, transfer operator - sawmill, trim saw operator - sawmill, trim sawyer - sawmill, trimmer operator - sawmill, trimmer tender - sawmill, trimmerman/woman, trimmerman/woman - sawmill, trimming machine operator - sawmill, trimming machine tender - sawmill.
Main duties of NOC 94120
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Operate front-end loaders and stationary deck cranes to feed logs into the sawmill
- Examine logs and rough lumber to determine size, condition, quality and other characteristics to decide best lumber cuts to carry out, or use automated equipment to convey logs through laser scanners which determine the most productive and profitable cutting patterns
- Operate automated lumbermill from control rooms or consoles to saw logs into rough lumber; saw, trim and plane rough lumber into dressed lumber of various sizes; and saw or split shingles and shakes
- Start conveyor system to move logs and lumber to and from saws
- Set up and adjust saw equipment and replace blades or bands using wrenches, gauges and other hand tools
- Operate equipment to sort and stack lumber by length and thickness, move stacks to storage areas or drying kilns, and feed lumber through planers
- Monitor movement of lumber and computer screens to ensure cuts are made according to specifications, and print production reports
- Clean and lubricate sawmill equipment.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- College courses in wood processing technology may be required.
- Several weeks of on-the-job training are usually provided.
- Head sawyers and planer operators usually require several years of experience in other sawmill machine operating positions in the same company.
- A certificate in industrial first aid may be required.
Additional information
- There is some mobility among jobs in this occupational group.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Is NOC 94120 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 94120 |
|---|---|
| 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 94120 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 | $19.00 | $27.35 | $37.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $18.91 | $21.66 | $25.20 |
| New Brunswick | $16.00 | $21.21 | $24.60 |
| Quebec | $19.00 | $27.00 | $30.00 |
| Ontario | $19.70 | $23.72 | $31.41 |
| Saskatchewan | $20.70 | $28.76 | $37.05 |
| Alberta | $17.00 | $35.00 | $40.00 |
| British Columbia | $25.00 | $32.50 | $37.00 |
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 94120 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 94120 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 circular saw operator?
NOC 94120, Sawmill machine operators, a TEER 4 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 94120?
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 94120 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 94120 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 94120 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $27.35 an hour, with most wages between $19.00 and $37.00. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 94120 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.