NOC 73401: Printing press operators
Printing press operators set up and operate sheet and web-fed presses to print text, illustrations and designs on a wide variety of materials such as paper, plastic, glass, leather and metal. They are employed by commercial printing companies; newspapers, magazines, and other publishing companies; and establishments in the public and private sectors that have in-house printing departments. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Official Main Duties for NOC 73401
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 73401
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Printing press 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 73401.
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) | $18.27 | $25/hr | $35 |
| Nova Scotia → | $17.25/hr | $20/hr | $25.5/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $15.65/hr | $21.5/hr | $30/hr |
| Quebec → | $20.6/hr | $26.65/hr | $37/hr |
| Ontario → | $19/hr | $25/hr | $35/hr |
| Manitoba → | $18/hr | $24/hr | $31.5/hr |
| Alberta → | $19.86/hr | $27.56/hr | $34.51/hr |
| British Columbia → | $19/hr | $28/hr | $40/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 college program in printing technology or A combination of on-the-job training and specialized high school, college or industry courses is usually required.
- Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Québec.
Official Job Titles for NOC 73401
80 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:
- Colour and large copier operator (See 94150 Plateless printing equipment operators)View NOC 94150→
- Laser printer operator (See 94150 Plateless printing equipment operators)View NOC 94150→
- Printing machine operator (See 94150 Plateless printing equipment operators)View NOC 94150→
- Screen printing artisan (See 53124 Artisans and craftspersons)View NOC 53124→
- Supervisors, printing and related occupations (See 72022 Supervisors, printing and related occupations)View NOC 72022→
- Textile printer (See 94130 Textile fibre and yarn, hide and pelt processing machine operators and workers)View NOC 94130→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 73401 (Printing press 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 73401, explore your TEER 3 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.