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NOC 72102: Sheet metal workers

Official definition · Statistics Canada NOC 2021 v1.0 · statcan.gc.ca ↗

Sheet metal workers fabricate, assemble, install and repair sheet metal products. They are employed by sheet metal fabrication shops, sheet metal products manufacturing companies, sheet metal work contractors and various industrial sectors. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Median Pay$34.07/hrPrevailing median rate
TEER LevelLevel 2Express Entry pool
Priority StreamTrades PriorityCategory draws
Official Titles34 TitlesGovernment aliases
Interactive Reference Letter Tool

Official Main Duties for NOC 72102

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.

34 official aliases
Checklist (10 official duties):Click each to toggle
💡
IRCC Reference Letter Rule:

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.

Live Match Score⚠ Needs 6 More
0%
0 of 10 selected
0%60% Recommended100%
Below 60% Target (0%)To qualify for NOC 72102, your employer letter should verify at least 6 main duties. Select 6 more to see if your experience matches.
Minimum Needed6 Duties
Current StatusIncomplete

Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 72102

Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Sheet metal workers 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

Open Full NOC Converter Tool

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 72102.

Former NOC 72334-Digit Legacy
Sheet metal workers
VC1 - Code Change
Job Bank Open Data (2025/2026)

Regional Wages Across Canada

Legal Benchmark for LMIA

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 / TerritoryLow WageMedian WageHigh Wage
Canada (National Average)$22.7$34.07/hr$45.95
Newfoundland and Labrador$24.5/hr$34.75/hr$45.25/hr
Nova Scotia$19.5/hr$29/hr$38.32/hr
New Brunswick$20/hr$27.3/hr$35.73/hr
Quebec$25.5/hr$40/hr$44.79/hr
Ontario$22.94/hr$35/hr$48.17/hr
Manitoba$20/hr$29.5/hr$42/hr
Saskatchewan$19.74/hr$29.5/hr$44.66/hr
Alberta$20/hr$30/hr$42/hr
British Columbia$23.14/hr$32.16/hr$45.6/hr

🏙️Top Metropolitan Cities Wage Rates (ESDC 2025/2026)

Economic Region Benchmarks

Official ESDC prevailing median wages across major Canadian metropolitan regions. Crucial for LMIA prevailing wage compliance and local job offer evaluations.

Montréal
$43/hr
$25.2 - $45
Ottawa
$33.39/hr
$22 - $47.74
Toronto
$35.4/hr
$24.2 - $48.17
Calgary
$29.7/hr
$20 - $40
Edmonton
$30.75/hr
$20 - $45
Vancouver
$32.17/hr
$22.98 - $45.95

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 three to five year apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in sheet metal working is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
  • Trade certification for sheet metal workers is compulsory in New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
  • Trade certification for precision sheet metal set-up operator is available, but voluntary in Quebec.
  • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified sheet metal workers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Official Job Titles for NOC 72102

34 Titles Listed

If your current job title matches any of these official examples, this NOC code is likely the right choice for your Express Entry reference letter:

apprentice sheet metal workersheet metal fabricatorsheet metal mechanicsheet metal workertinsmithaircraft layout man/woman sheet metalapprentice tinsmithconstruction sheet metal workercoppersmithcustom sheet metal fabricatorfitter - sheet metal workinghigh rise sheet metal installerindustrial sheet metal workerjourneyman/woman sheet metal workermaintenance sheet metal workermetal furniture model makermetal furniture patternmakerplant tinsmithprecision sheet metal fabricatorprecision sheet metal mechanicprecision sheet metal workerresidential (low rise) sheet metal installersheet metal installersheet metal lay-out workersheet metal mechanic apprenticesheet metal mechanic bench handsheet metal model makersheet metal patternmakersheet metal roofersheet metal work erectorsheet metal worker - manufacturingsheet metal worker - specialty manufacturingtinsmith - sheet metal worktinsmith roofer

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 sheet metal technician (See 72404 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors)View NOC 72404
  • Boilermakers (See 72103 Boilermakers)View NOC 72103
  • Ironworkers (See 72105 Ironworkers)View NOC 72105
  • Metalworking and forging machine operators (See 94105 Metalworking and forging machine operators)View NOC 94105
  • Sheet metal workers supervisor (See 72010 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations)View NOC 72010
  • Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters (See 72104 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters)View NOC 72104

Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 72102 (Sheet metal workers)

Essential answers regarding Express Entry eligibility, LMIA prevailing wage compliance, and official reference letter rules.

Yes. Because NOC 72102 is classified as TEER 2, it qualifies for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry.
For an LMIA work permit, your employer must offer at least the median wage of $34.07/hr (or the prevailing median rate in your specific Canadian province of employment).
Under Section 75(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), your employment reference letter must confirm you perform the actions in the lead statement and a substantial number (recommended at least 60%) of the official main duties listed above. You do not need to perform 100% of the duties.
Under Canada's previous NOC 2016 classification, Sheet metal workers was categorized under NOC 7233 (Sheet metal workers). In NOC 2021, it transitioned to NOC 72102 under TEER 2.
According to official ESDC Job Bank benchmarks, the prevailing median rate for NOC 72102 is $43/hr in Montréal, $33.39/hr in Ottawa, $35.4/hr in Toronto, $29.7/hr in Calgary, $30.75/hr in Edmonton.
Next Steps for NOC 72102

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Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 72102, explore your TEER 2 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.

Last verified: September 2026