NOC 72203: Electrical power line and cable workers
Electrical power line and cable workers construct, maintain and repair overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems. They are employed by electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies, electrical contractors and public utility commissions. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Official Main Duties for NOC 72203
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 72203
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Electrical power line and cable 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
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 72203.
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) | $28.4 | $46/hr | $62 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $23.5/hr | $44/hr | $50/hr |
| Prince Edward Island → | $27/hr | $42/hr | $45/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $29.61/hr | $51.35/hr | $70.79/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $31.41/hr | $47.26/hr | $65.44/hr |
| Quebec → | $30.9/hr | $42.49/hr | $49.2/hr |
| Ontario → | $29.7/hr | $45/hr | $62/hr |
| Manitoba → | $27.4/hr | $47/hr | $55/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $35/hr | $47.85/hr | $62/hr |
| Alberta → | $31.75/hr | $55/hr | $67.31/hr |
| British Columbia → | $32/hr | $50/hr | $63/hr |
| Yukon → | $54.61/hr | $72.75/hr | $79.57/hr |
| Northwest Territories → | $39.38/hr | $66.32/hr | $78.51/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 provincial three- or four-year lineman/woman apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in electrical technology is usually required for electrical power line and cable workers.
- Trade certification for powerline technicians is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- Trade certification for powerline technicians (construction) is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Trade certification for distribution construction linemen/women is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified powerline technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Official Job Titles for NOC 72203
62 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:
- Line and cable workers supervisor (See 72011 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations)View NOC 72011→
- Power system electricians (See 72202 Power system electricians)View NOC 72202→
- Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers (See 72204 Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers)View NOC 72204→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 72203 (Electrical power line and cable workers)
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 72203, explore your TEER 2 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.