NOC 73400: Heavy equipment operators
Heavy equipment operators operate heavy equipment used in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports, gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures; in surface mining and quarrying activities; and in material handling work. They are employed by construction companies, heavy equipment contractors, public works departments and pipeline, logging, cargo-handling and other companies. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Official Main Duties for NOC 73400
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 73400
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Heavy equipment operators is categorized under TEER 3. 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 73400.
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) | $24 | $32.5/hr | $45 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $22/hr | $30/hr | $38/hr |
| Prince Edward Island → | $18.25/hr | $24/hr | $35/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $18/hr | $25/hr | $35.5/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $20/hr | $25/hr | $34.5/hr |
| Quebec → | $24/hr | $36/hr | $43.4/hr |
| Ontario → | $23.63/hr | $32/hr | $47.7/hr |
| Manitoba → | $22/hr | $28.92/hr | $38/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $24/hr | $30/hr | $44/hr |
| Alberta → | $26/hr | $34.3/hr | $45/hr |
| British Columbia → | $27/hr | $35.75/hr | $46/hr |
| Yukon → | $32.65/hr | $39/hr | $42/hr |
| Northwest Territories → | $26.8/hr | $43.73/hr | $64.01/hr |
| Nunavut → | $21.87/hr | $38.08/hr | $51.49/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:
- Some secondary school education is required.
- Completion of a one- to two-year apprenticeship program or Some high school, college or industry courses in heavy equipment operating combined with on-the-job training are required.
- Trade certification for heavy equipment operator (dozer, excavator, tractor-loader-backhoe) is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Ontario.
- Internal company certification may be required by some employers.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified heavy equipment operators upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Official Job Titles for NOC 73400
103 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:
- Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (See 72021 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews)View NOC 72021→
- Crane operators (See 72500 Crane operators)View NOC 72500→
- Forklift operator (See 75101 Material handlers)View NOC 75101→
- Industrial truck operator (See 75101 Material handlers)View NOC 75101→
- Logging machinery operators (See 83110 Logging machinery operators)View NOC 83110→
- Underground production and development miners (See 83100 Underground production and development miners)View NOC 83100→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 73400 (Heavy equipment 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 73400, explore your TEER 3 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.