NOC 21390: Aerospace engineers
Aerospace engineers research, design and develop aerospace vehicles, aerospace systems and their components, and perform duties related to their testing, evaluation, installation, operation and maintenance. They are employed by aircraft and spacecraft manufacturers, air transport carriers, and in government and educational and research institutions.
Official Main Duties for NOC 21390
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 21390
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Aerospace 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
Currently evaluated under standard General and CEC invitation rounds, or targeted through provincial in-demand lists such as Ontario (OINP), British Columbia (BC PNP), or Alberta (AAIP).
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 21390.
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) | $33.76 | $50/hr | $100 |
| Nova Scotia → | $28.92/hr | $47/hr | $70.73/hr |
| Quebec → | $34/hr | $47.6/hr | $100/hr |
| Ontario → | $31.25/hr | $56.41/hr | $100/hr |
| Manitoba → | $34.42/hr | $48.49/hr | $63.08/hr |
| Alberta → | $28.51/hr | $43.76/hr | $67.36/hr |
| British Columbia → | $33.7/hr | $47.47/hr | $69.6/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 aerospace engineering or in a related engineering discipline, such as mechanical engineering or engineering physics, 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 21390
27 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:
- Aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) - avionics (See 22313 Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors)View NOC 22313→
- Aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) (except avionics) (See 72404 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors)View NOC 72404→
- Avionics engineer (See 21310 Electrical and electronics engineers)View NOC 21310→
- Engineering managers (See 20010 Engineering managers)View NOC 20010→
- Mechanical engineers (See 21301 Mechanical engineers)View NOC 21301→
- Metallurgical and materials engineers (See 21322 Metallurgical and materials engineers)View NOC 21322→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 21390 (Aerospace 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 21390, explore your TEER 1 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.