NOC 72100: Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
Machinists set up and operate a variety of machine tools to cut or grind metal, plastic or other materials to make or modify parts or products with precise dimensions. Machining and tooling inspectors inspect machined parts and tooling in order to maintain quality control standards. They are employed by machinery, equipment, motor vehicle, automotive parts, aircraft and other metal products manufacturing companies and by machine shops. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Official Main Duties for NOC 72100
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 72100
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors is categorized under TEER 2. Occupations in this tier typically require completion of a 2- to 3-year post-secondary diploma, apprenticeship training, or specialized technical certifications.
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 72100.
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) | $21 | $30/hr | $41.5 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $20/hr | $30/hr | $39/hr |
| Prince Edward Island → | $21.95/hr | $27.96/hr | $31.82/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $21/hr | $31/hr | $47.12/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $20/hr | $30/hr | $36/hr |
| Quebec → | $21/hr | $27.5/hr | $38/hr |
| Ontario → | $21/hr | $30/hr | $40.85/hr |
| Manitoba → | $19/hr | $28/hr | $40/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $28.85/hr | $35/hr | $45/hr |
| Alberta → | $25/hr | $36.5/hr | $45/hr |
| British Columbia → | $25/hr | $38/hr | $46.29/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:
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some college and industry courses in machining may be required for trade certification.
- Trade certification for machinists is available, but voluntary, in all provinces and territories.
- Trade certification for tool and gauge inspectors is available, but voluntary, in Ontario.
- Trade certification for machinists (CNC) is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick, Quebec and Manitoba.
- Several years of experience as a machinist, tool and die maker or machining tool operator may be required for machining and tooling inspectors.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified machinists upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Official Job Titles for NOC 72100
47 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:
- Computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) programmer (See 22302 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians)View NOC 22302→
- Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations (See 72010 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations)View NOC 72010→
- Machining tool operators (See 94106 Machining tool operators)View NOC 94106→
- Tool and die makers (See 72101 Tool and die makers)View NOC 72101→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 72100 (Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors)
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 72100, explore your TEER 2 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.