NOC 73402: Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction
Drillers and blasters in surface mining, quarrying and construction operate mobile drilling machines to bore blast holes in open-pit mines and quarries and to bore holes for blasting and for building foundations at construction sites. Blasters in this unit group fill blast holes with explosives and detonate explosives to dislodge coal, ore and rock or to demolish structures. They are employed by mining, quarrying and construction companies and by drilling and blasting contractors.
Official Main Duties for NOC 73402
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 73402
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction 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 73402.
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) | $27 | $37.5/hr | $49 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $25/hr | $36/hr | $50/hr |
| Quebec → | $28/hr | $39.82/hr | $47/hr |
| Ontario → | $26/hr | $35/hr | $47.28/hr |
| Manitoba → | $25/hr | $32.55/hr | $48.44/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $24/hr | $37.75/hr | $63.47/hr |
| Alberta → | $27/hr | $38/hr | $50.15/hr |
| British Columbia → | $31.6/hr | $40/hr | $50.14/hr |
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.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- Experience as a heavy equipment operator may be required for drillers.
- Experience as a blaster helper in surface mining and quarrying or construction may be required for blasters.
- Provincial blasting licence is usually required for blasters.
- Trade certification for blasters is compulsory in Nova Scotia.
Official Job Titles for NOC 73402
20 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:
- Blaster - underground mining (See 83100 Underground production and development miners)View NOC 83100→
- Driller - oil and gas drilling (See 83101 Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers)View NOC 83101→
- Driller - underground mining (See 83100 Underground production and development miners)View NOC 83100→
- Drilling and blasting foreman/woman - construction (See 72021 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews)View NOC 72021→
- Surface mine supervisor (See 82020 Supervisors, mining and quarrying)View NOC 82020→
- Water well drillers (See 72501 Water well drillers)View NOC 72501→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 73402 (Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction)
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 73402, explore your TEER 3 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.