Skip to main content

NOC 72105: Ironworkers

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

Ironworkers fabricate, erect, hoist, install, repair and service structural ironwork, precast concrete, concrete reinforcing materials, curtain walls, ornamental iron and other metals used in the construction of buildings, bridges, highways, dams and other structures and equipment. They are employed by construction ironwork contractors. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Median Pay$43/hrPrevailing median rate
TEER LevelLevel 2Express Entry pool
Priority StreamGeneral StreamCategory draws
Official Titles34 TitlesGovernment aliases
Interactive Reference Letter Tool

Official Main Duties for NOC 72105

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 (11 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 7 More
0%
0 of 11 selected
0%60% Recommended100%
Below 60% Target (0%)To qualify for NOC 72105, your employer letter should verify at least 7 main duties. Select 7 more to see if your experience matches.
Minimum Needed7 Duties
Current StatusIncomplete

Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 72105

Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Ironworkers 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 72105.

Former NOC 72364-Digit Legacy
Ironworkers
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)$29$43/hr$49.8
Newfoundland and Labrador$32/hr$41.09/hr$48.11/hr
Nova Scotia$24.72/hr$36.71/hr$47.35/hr
New Brunswick$26/hr$38/hr$48.36/hr
Quebec$35.1/hr$44.23/hr$48.6/hr
Ontario$32.27/hr$44.34/hr$50.25/hr
Manitoba$25.07/hr$35/hr$48/hr
Saskatchewan$25/hr$39.08/hr$46.92/hr
Alberta$27/hr$40.6/hr$51/hr
British Columbia$26/hr$38.09/hr$50.59/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
$44.18/hr
$37.69 - $48.66
Ottawa
$44.55/hr
$31.55 - $50.5
Toronto
$44.23/hr
$34 - $49.47
Calgary
$40/hr
$25.5 - $49.09
Edmonton
$42.79/hr
$28.04 - $51.08
Vancouver
$38.09/hr
$26 - $50.59

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 two- to three-year apprenticeship program or Over three years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in ironworking are usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
  • Trade certification for ironworker (generalist) is compulsory in Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.
  • Trade certification for ironworker (reinforcing) is compulsory in Quebec and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
  • Trade certification for ironworker (structural/ornamental) is compulsory in Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
  • Trade certification for ironworker (metal building systems erector) is compulsory in Alberta.
  • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified ironworkers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Official Job Titles for NOC 72105

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:

ironworkerironworker - metal building systems erectorironworker apprenticeornamental ironworkerreinforcing ironworkerstructural steel erectorapprentice ironworkerapprentice metal structure erectorbridge construction ironworkerbuilding systems erectorcurtain wall installation ironworkergeneralist steel structure erectoriron structure erectorironworker - ornamentalironworker - reinforcing rebarironworker generalistjourneyman/woman ironworkerjourneyman/woman reinforcing ironworkermetal scaffold erectormetal structure erectormetal tank erecting ironworkermetal wall framing installermetal wall framing ironworkermetal wall installation ironworkerornamental-metal workerprecast concrete erectorreinforcing rodworkerreinforcing steel ironworkerrodworker apprenticesteel door setting ironworkerstructural iron erectorstructural ironworkerstructural metal erectortower crane erector

Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)

Check this list to make sure your actual job is not classified under one of these related codes:

  • Boilermakers (See 72103 Boilermakers)View NOC 72103
  • Ironwork supervisor (See 72010 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations)View NOC 72010
  • Metal fitters foreman/woman (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 72105 (Ironworkers)

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

Yes. Because NOC 72105 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 $43/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, Ironworkers was categorized under NOC 7236 (Ironworkers). In NOC 2021, it transitioned to NOC 72105 under TEER 2.
According to official ESDC Job Bank benchmarks, the prevailing median rate for NOC 72105 is $44.18/hr in Montréal, $44.55/hr in Ottawa, $44.23/hr in Toronto, $40/hr in Calgary, $42.79/hr in Edmonton.
Next Steps for NOC 72105

Check Your Express Entry Score & Latest Cutoffs

Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 72105, explore your TEER 2 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.

Last verified: September 2026