NOC 72106: Welders and related machine operators
Welders operate welding equipment to weld ferrous and non-ferrous metals. This unit group also includes machine operators who operate previously set up production welding, brazing and soldering equipment. They are employed by companies that manufacture structural steel and platework, boilers, heavy machinery, aircraft and ships and other metal products, and by welding contractors and welding shops, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Official Main Duties for NOC 72106
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 72106
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Welders and related machine operators 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 72106.
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) | $22 | $30/hr | $47 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $23.46/hr | $38.41/hr | $54/hr |
| Prince Edward Island → | $20/hr | $25/hr | $32.5/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $21/hr | $29/hr | $43/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $22/hr | $28/hr | $46/hr |
| Quebec → | $22/hr | $28/hr | $35.38/hr |
| Ontario → | $21/hr | $28/hr | $41.28/hr |
| Manitoba → | $21/hr | $27/hr | $40.16/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $22/hr | $32/hr | $46/hr |
| Alberta → | $25/hr | $38/hr | $52.18/hr |
| British Columbia → | $23.25/hr | $35/hr | $51.87/hr |
| Yukon → | $30.96/hr | $37.47/hr | $49.71/hr |
| Northwest Territories → | $22.48/hr | $48.29/hr | $57.68/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:
- Welders
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a three-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over three years of work experience in the trade and some college or industry courses in welding is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Trade certification is compulsory in Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified welders upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
- Welding, brazing and soldering machine operators
- Some secondary school education is required.
- Several months of on-the-job training are usually provided.
- Experience as a machine operator helper may be required.
- Experience with robotics may be required.
Official Job Titles for NOC 72106
119 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:
- Wave soldering machine operator (See 94201 Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers)View NOC 94201→
- Weld tester (See 22230 Non-destructive testers and inspectors)View NOC 22230→
- Welder supervisor (See 72010 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations)View NOC 72010→
- Welding technologist (See 22101 Geological and mineral technologists and technicians)View NOC 22101→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 72106 (Welders and related machine operators)
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 72106, explore your TEER 2 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.