NOC 94124: Woodworking machine operators
Official definition · Statistics Canada NOC 2021 v1.0 · statcan.gc.ca ↗
Woodworking machine operators set up, program and operate one or more woodworking machines to fabricate or repair wooden parts for furniture, fixtures or other wood products. They are employed in furniture, fixture and other wood products manufacturing establishments.
Median Pay$22/hrPrevailing median rate
TEER LevelLevel 4PNP streams
Priority StreamGeneral StreamCategory draws
Official Titles268 TitlesGovernment aliases
Interactive Reference Letter Tool
Official Main Duties for NOC 94124
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.
268 official aliases
Checklist (5 official duties):Click each to toggle
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IRCC Reference Letter Rule:
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.
Live Match Score⚠ Needs 3 More
0%
0 of 5 selected
0%60% Recommended100%
Below 60% Target (0%)To qualify for NOC 94124, your employer letter should verify at least 3 main duties. Select 3 more to see if your experience matches.
Minimum Needed3 Duties
Current StatusIncomplete
Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 94124
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Woodworking machine operators is categorized under TEER 4. Occupations in this tier typically require secondary school graduation or job-specific on-the-job training.
Express Entry Alignment
Classified under TEER 4, meaning this occupation does not qualify for direct Express Entry general pools. Candidates should focus on employer-driven Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) or federal pilot pathways.
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 94124.
Former NOC 94374-Digit Legacy
Woodworking machine operators
VC1 - Code Change
Job Bank Open Data (2025/2026)
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 | $22/hr | $32 |
| New Brunswick → | $18.02/hr | $21.22/hr | $25.11/hr |
| Quebec → | $18/hr | $21.7/hr | $28/hr |
| Ontario → | $18.75/hr | $22/hr | $32/hr |
| Manitoba → | $16.7/hr | $19.67/hr | $21.12/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $19.7/hr | $24.93/hr | $29.68/hr |
| Alberta → | $19.06/hr | $23.72/hr | $31.94/hr |
| British Columbia → | $22/hr | $25/hr | $36/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.
Montréal
$21.25/hr
$18 - $25.55
Ottawa
$23.16/hr
$19.1 - $31.09
Calgary
$24.37/hr
$19.86 - $29.36
Edmonton
$24.92/hr
$18.93 - $29.28
Vancouver
$25/hr
$22 - $27
Employment Requirements
These are the education, training, and certification standards usually required by Canadian employers for this occupation:
- Some secondary school education is usually required.
- On-the-job training is usually provided.
- Experience as a labourer in the same company may be required.
Official Job Titles for NOC 94124
268 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:
boring machine operator - woodworkingcomputer numerically controlled (CNC) band saw operatordrill operator - woodworkingdrum sander - woodworkingedge bander operator - woodworkingglue machine operator - woodworkinglathe operator - woodworkingplaner operator - woodworkingrough mill operator - woodworkingshaper - woodworkingwoodworking machine operatoradzing and boring machine operatorautomatic nailing machine operator - woodworkingautomatic shaper operator - woodworkingband resaw operator - woodworkingband ripsaw operator - woodworkingband saw operator - woodworkingband saw tender - woodworkingband scroll saw operator - woodworkingbanding machine tender - woodworkingband-sawing machine tender - woodworkingbarrel assemblerbarrel cooper - woodworkingbarrel end machine tender - woodworkingbarrel end sawyerbarrel heading sawyerbasket machine operator - woodworkingbelt sander - woodworkingbelt sander operator - woodworkingbench machine operator - woodworkingbilliard cue makerborer - woodworkingbowl blank boring and finishing machine operatorbox blank repairer - woodworkingbriar-bowl turner - woodworkingbucket chucker - woodworkingbucket lathe operatorcarver operator - woodworkingcarving machine operator - woodworkingcask makerchair leveler - woodworkingchair seat planer tenderchucking and boring machine operator - woodworkingchucking machine operator - woodworkingcircular saw operator - woodworkingclamping machine tender - woodworkingclean-up sander - woodworkingcleat notcher - woodworkingcold press tender - woodworkingcomputer numerically controlled (CNC) woodworking machine tool operatorcomputerized panel saw tendercomputerized panel saw tender - woodworkingcontour sander operator - woodworkingcooper header - woodworkingcooper header operator - woodcooper operator - woodworkingcooperage heading machine operator - woodworkingcooperage heading sawyercooperage setter-up - woodworkingcooperage set-up man/woman - woodworkingcooper's head-saw operator - woodworkingcopy lathe tendercorrugated fastener driver - woodworkingcrosscut saw operator - woodworkingcroze machine operator - woodworkingcustom cue maker and repairercustom cue maker and repairman/womancut-off saw operator - woodworkingcylinder saw tender - woodworkingcylinder-sander feeder - woodworkingdado operator - woodworkingdado saw operator - woodworkingdefect trimmer - woodworkingdesk sander - woodworkingdetail shaper - woodworkingdimension planer operator - woodworkingdisk cutter - wood productsdoor-hang machine operator - woodworkingdovetail machine operator - woodworkingdowel machine operator - woodworkingdowel machine set-up operator - woodworkingdowel machine tenderdowel pointer - woodworkingdowelling machine operator - woodworkingdowelling machine set-up operator - woodworkingdowelling machine tender - woodworkingdowel-making machine operator - woodworkingdowel-making machine set-up operator - woodworkingdowel-making machine tender - woodworkingdrill press operator - woodworkingdrum sander operator - woodworkingedge bander - woodworkingelectronic gluing machine tender - woodworkingembosser - woodworkingembossing machine operator - woodworkingembossing machine tender - woodworkingend bore operator - woodworkingend trimming and boring machine operator - woodworkingend-boring machine operator - woodworkingequalizer operator - woodworkingfacer operator - woodworkingfastener-driver operator - woodworkingfinish planer operator - woodworkingfluting machine operator - woodworkingframe table operator - woodworkingfrazer - woodworkingfrazing machine operator - woodworkinggang ripsaw operator - woodworkinggang sawyer - woodworkingglue jointer operator - woodworkingglue machine tender - woodworkingglue-bonding machine operator - woodworkingglue-bonding machine tender - woodworkinggroover - woodworkinggroover operator - woodworkinggrooving machine operator - woodworkinggunstock checkerergunstock fitter - woodworkinggunstock shaper - woodworkinghat block maker - woodworkinghole saw tender - woodworkinghoop-driver operator - woodworkinghoop-driving machine operator - woodworkinghorizontal boring machine operator - woodworkinghorizontal resaw operator - woodworkinghot press tender - woodworkinghydraulic press tender - woodworkingjigsaw operator - woodworkingjointer - woodworkingjointer operator - woodworkingjointing machine operator - woodworkinglacrosse stick bender - woodworkinglacrosse stick gouger - woodworkinglacrosse stick maker - woodworkinglacrosse stick planer - woodworkinglacrosse stick shaper - woodworkinglag bolt machine tender - woodworkinglaminated bowl machine tender - woodworkinglaminating press tender - woodworkinglast remodeler - woodworkinglast repairman/woman - woodworkinglast trimmer - woodworkinglast turner - woodworkinglast-lathe tender - woodworkinglathe sander - woodworkinglathe turner - woodworkinglay-out marker - woodworkingleveller operator - woodworkingline and frame pole worker - wood productslooping machine tender - wood products manufacturingmachine carver - woodworkingmachine jointer, panels - woodworkingmachine panel jointer - woodworkingmachine sander - woodworkingmitre saw tender - woodworkingmortiser operator - woodworkingmortising machine operator - woodworkingmoulder - wood products manufacturingmoulder - woodworkingmoulder operator - woodworkingmoulding cutter - wood products manufacturingmoulding machine operator - woodworkingnailing machine operator - woodworkingnotcher operator - woodworkingnotching saw operator - woodworkingoar maker - woodworkingoar shaper - woodworkingoverhead dado operator - woodworkingpacking trunk panel finisher - woodworkingpaddle maker - woodworkingpanel jointer machine tender - woodworkingpanel raiser operator - woodworkingpanel saw operator - woodworkingpencil-grooving machine tenderpencil-rounding machine tenderpin maker - wood products manufacturingplaner - woodworkingplaner feeder - woodworkingplaner tender - woodworkingplastic laminator - wood furniture manufacturingpole framer - wood productsportable machine sander tender - woodworkingportable sawer - woodworkingpower saw operator - woodworkingprofile shaper operator - woodworkingradial-arm saw operator - woodworkingresaw operator - woodworkingrip and groove machine tender - woodworkingripsaw grader-operator - woodworkingripsaw matcher - woodworkingripsaw operator - woodworkingrolling pin maker - woodworkingrough planer operator - woodworkingrouter operator - woodworkingsaddle machine tender - woodworkingsalvage sawyer - woodworkingsanding machine feeder - woodworkingsash and door end matcher - woodworkingsaw operator - woodworkingsawing machine operator - woodworkingsawing machine tender - woodworkingsawyer - woodworkingscroll saw operator - woodworkingshaper - wood products manufacturingshaper operator - woodworkingshaver operator - woodworkingshaver tender - woodworkingshredder operator - woodworkingshuttle finisher - woodworkingshuttle maker - woodworkingshuttle planer - woodworkingshuttle shaper and tip inserter - woodworkingslat picker - woodworkingslat slicer - wood productssmall arms checkerersmoking pipe air hole drillersmoking pipe burler - woodworkingsmoking pipe maker - woodworkingsmoking pipe sandersmoking pipe sander - woodworkingspindle carver operator - woodworkingsplitter - woodworkingsplitting machine operator corksqueezer tender - woodworkingstave jointer - woodworkingstave machine operator - woodworkingstave sawyer - woodworkingstitcher operator - woodworkingstock cutter - woodworkingstummel trimmer - woodworkingstummel turner - woodworkingsurface planer operator - woodworkingswing-type lathe operator - woodworkingtable top edger - woodworkingtable top laminator - woodworkingtenoner operator - woodworkingtoothpick lathe operatortoothpick-chopping machine tendertreadle saw operator - woodworkingtrim saw operator - woodworkingtrimmer operator - woodworkingtrimming and boring machine operator - woodworkingtrimming machine operator - woodworkingtrunk panel finisher - woodworkingturner - woodworkingturning machine operator - woodworkingturning sander tender - woodworkingvariety saw operator - woodworkingveneer sander - woodworkingvertical resaw operator - woodworkingwobble saw operator - woodworkingwood blank sawyerwood driller - woodworkingwood lathe turner - woodworkingwood products flarerwood products machine tenderwood sander - woodworkingwood saw operator - woodworkingwood turner - woodworkingwood turning lathe operator - woodworkingwood-carving machine operatorwooden barrel header - woodworkingwooden barrel-header fitter - woodworkingwooden stave turner - woodworkingwoodsawyer - woodworkingwood-turning lathe operator - woodworkingwoodworking machine setterwoodworking machine set-up operator
Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)
Check this list to make sure your actual job is not classified under one of these related codes:
- Cabinetmakers (See 72311 Cabinetmakers)View NOC 72311→
- Carpenters (See 72310 Carpenters)View NOC 72310→
- Woodworking machine operators supervisor - furniture and fixtures manufacturing (See 92022 Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing)View NOC 92022→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 94124 (Woodworking machine operators)
Essential answers regarding Express Entry eligibility, LMIA prevailing wage compliance, and official reference letter rules.
NOC 94124 is in TEER 4, which is not directly eligible for standard Express Entry pools. However, you can apply through Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) semi-skilled streams or employer-sponsored work permits.
For an LMIA work permit, your employer must offer at least the median wage of $22/hr (or the prevailing median rate in your specific Canadian province of employment).
Under Section 75(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), your employment reference letter must confirm you perform the actions in the lead statement and a substantial number (recommended at least 60%) of the official main duties listed above. You do not need to perform 100% of the duties.
Under Canada's previous NOC 2016 classification, Woodworking machine operators was categorized under NOC 9437 (Woodworking machine operators). In NOC 2021, it transitioned to NOC 94124 under TEER 4.
According to official ESDC Job Bank benchmarks, the prevailing median rate for NOC 94124 is $21.25/hr in Montréal, $23.16/hr in Ottawa, $24.37/hr in Calgary, $24.92/hr in Edmonton, $25/hr in Vancouver.
Because TEER 4 is not eligible for direct Express Entry, your best routes are employer-supported Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) semi-skilled streams (such as SINP in Saskatchewan, AAIP in Alberta, or MPNP in Manitoba) or federal pilot programs like the Agri-Food Pilot.
Next Steps for NOC 94124
Check Your Express Entry Score & Latest Cutoffs
Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 94124, explore your TEER 4 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.
NOC data: Statistics Canada NOC 2021 v1.0
··Last verified: September 2026