NOC 21301: Mechanical engineers
Mechanical engineers research, design and develop machinery and systems for heating, ventilating and air conditioning, power generation, transportation, processing and manufacturing. They also perform duties related to the evaluation, installation, operation and maintenance of mechanical systems. They are employed by consulting firms, by power-generating utilities and in a wide range of manufacturing, processing and transportation industries, or they may be self-employed.
Official Main Duties for NOC 21301
Select the duties you perform in your actual job. Under IRCC guidelines, you must perform at least 60% of these duties for a successful work permit or PR reference letter.
Your employer reference letter must confirm you performed the main actions described in the duties above. Avoid copying words directly from the NOC description — officers expect natural job descriptions with specific company context.
Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 21301
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Mechanical engineers is categorized under TEER 1. Occupations in this tier typically require a university degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) or substantial managerial tenure.
Express Entry Alignment
Qualifies directly for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry. Work experience must be full-time (or equivalent part-time) and continuous for at least one year.
Target Category Status
Designated under IRCC's STEM Priority Stream →. Candidates with 6 months of qualifying Canadian or foreign experience in this NOC can receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) at significantly lower CRS cutoff thresholds.
NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 Transition & Equivalency
Under Canada's previous NOC 2016 classification, this occupation was mapped under the following 4-digit code(s). When preparing your Express Entry profile or work reference letters, you must use the new 5-digit code NOC 21301.
Regional Wages Across Canada
Under Canadian immigration law, an employer hiring you under an LMIA must pay you at least the median wage listed below for your province.
| Province / Territory | Low Wage | Median Wage | High Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (National Average) | $30 | $45.67/hr | $72.49 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $35/hr | $47.31/hr | $75/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $27.9/hr | $43.86/hr | $66.03/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $31.25/hr | $45.67/hr | $82.05/hr |
| Quebec → | $30/hr | $44/hr | $66.83/hr |
| Ontario → | $30.45/hr | $46.42/hr | $72.49/hr |
| Manitoba → | $28.2/hr | $42.82/hr | $65.23/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $33.65/hr | $50/hr | $64.9/hr |
| Alberta → | $33.65/hr | $52.88/hr | $96.15/hr |
| British Columbia → | $32/hr | $43.27/hr | $72.12/hr |
🏙️Top Metropolitan Cities Wage Rates (ESDC 2025/2026)
Economic Region BenchmarksOfficial ESDC prevailing median wages across major Canadian metropolitan regions. Crucial for LMIA prevailing wage compliance and local job offer evaluations.
Employment Requirements
These are the education, training, and certification standards usually required by Canadian employers for this occupation:
- A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Official Job Titles for NOC 21301
46 Titles ListedIf your current job title matches any of these official examples, this NOC code is likely the right choice for your Express Entry reference letter:
Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)
Check this list to make sure your actual job is not classified under one of these related codes:
- Engineering managers (See 20010 Engineering managers)View NOC 20010→
- Industrial and manufacturing engineers (See 21321 Industrial and manufacturing engineers)View NOC 21321→
- Metallurgical and materials engineers (See 21322 Metallurgical and materials engineers)View NOC 21322→
- Power engineer (See 92100 Power engineers and power systems operators)View NOC 92100→
- Stationary engineer (See 92100 Power engineers and power systems operators)View NOC 92100→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 21301 (Mechanical engineers)
Essential answers regarding Express Entry eligibility, LMIA prevailing wage compliance, and official reference letter rules.
Check Your Express Entry Score & Latest Cutoffs
Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 21301, explore your TEER 1 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.