Is NOC 72404 (Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors) a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?

Yes. From November 3, 2026, NOC 72404 is in the 1.3× tier of IRCC’s high-wage list, meaning its national median wage is at least 1.3 times, but less than 1.5 times, the median wage of the Canadian workforce (2023 to 2025 data).

How many CRS points does NOC 72404 give?

With 12 months or more of skilled Canadian work in NOC 72404, you add 20 points to your Canadian work-experience points. For example, a single candidate with 3 years of Canadian work goes from 64 to 84 points. A qualifying job offer in NOC 72404 is worth 50 points instead. You get the higher of the two routes, never both, capped at 150 points (140 with a spouse).

Do I need to earn 1.3× the median wage myself?

No. The tier comes from the occupation’s national median wage, not from your own salary. What matters is that your job’s main duties match NOC 72404 and that the work is skilled, paid, Canadian experience.

Can I combine months in different high-wage jobs?

Months here combine with months in any other high-wage occupation (1.3×, 1.5× or 2×) for the 20-point add-on.

Which Express Entry programs accept NOC 72404?

As a TEER 2 occupation it counts as skilled work for the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Which category draws include NOC 72404?

It is on IRCC’s list for the Transport category, so you can also be invited in those category draws.

1.3× median wageTEER 2NOC 2021 Version 1.0

NOC 72404: Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors

Aircraft mechanics maintain, repair, overhaul, modify and test aircraft structural, mechanical and hydraulic systems. Aircraft inspectors inspect aircraft and aircraft systems following manufacture, modification, maintenance, repair or overhaul. Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors are employed by aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul establishments, and by airlines and other aircraft operators. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Express Entry eligibility

Skilled work (TEER 0 to 3): yes, TEER 2.
Canadian Experience Class: counts as skilled Canadian work (1 year in the last 3 years).
Federal Skilled Worker Program: counts as skilled work (1 year of continuous work in the last 10 years).
Federal Skilled Trades Program: an eligible skilled trade (2 years in the last 5 years).
High-wage occupation (from November 3, 2026): yes, 1.3× tier.

TEER 2: Occupations that usually need a college diploma, an apprenticeship of 2 or more years, or supervisory duties. Every program has other requirements too, such as language test results and, for FSW, a points test.

Category-based draws

Transport
At least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in this occupation within the last 3 years, in Canada or abroad.

Category lists checked on canada.ca on 2026-10-17. IRCC category-based selection

CRS points for work in NOC 72404

With 12+ months of Canadian work here, from November 3, 2026, by years of skilled Canadian work:

Canadian work CRS points with 12 or more months in NOC 72404
Years in Canada	Single, today	Single, Nov 3	With spouse, today	With spouse, Nov 3
1	40	60	35	55
2	53	73	46	66
3	64	84	56	76
4	72	92	63	83
5 or more	80	100	70	90

See Canadian work points and the median-wage rule.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Aircraft mechanics
Troubleshoot aircraft structural, mechanical or hydraulic systems to identify problems and adjust and repair systems according to specifications, technical drawings, manuals and established procedures
Repair and overhaul aircraft structural, mechanical or hydraulic systems
Install or modify aircraft engines and mechanical, hydraulic, flight control, fuel and pneumatic systems
Dismantle airframes, aircraft engines or other aircraft systems for repair, overhaul and cleaning, and reassemble
Perform and document routine maintenance
Order and maintain inventory of parts and supplies.
Aircraft mechanics usually specialize in working on specific aircraft systems such as engines, engine accessories, airframes, propellers, mechanical components or hydraulic systems and specific kinds of aircraft, such as light aircraft, jet transports and helicopters.
Aircraft inspectors
Inspect structural and mechanical systems of aircraft and ensure that these systems meet Transport Canada and company standards of performance and safety
Inspect work of aircraft mechanics performing maintenance, repair and overhaul, or modification of aircraft and aircraft mechanical systems to ensure adherence to standards and procedures
Maintain detailed repair, inspection and certification records of aircraft.

For Express Entry your duties must match the lead statement and most of the main duties above.

Example job titles

aircraft gas turbine engine technician
aircraft hydraulics mechanic
aircraft inspector
aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) (except avionics)
aircraft mechanic
aircraft repair and overhaul inspector
aircraft repair shop inspector
aircraft structural repair technician
aircraft systems inspector
aviation mechanical component shop technician
certified aircraft technician
flight test inspector

Employment requirements

Completion of secondary school is required.
A college diploma in aircraft maintenance or Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program is usually required.
Several years of on-the-job training are required for aircraft mechanics.
Aircraft mechanics and inspectors who sign maintenance releases and certify airworthiness require an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's (AME) licence issued by Transport Canada.
Trade certification for aircraft maintenance engineers is available, but voluntary, in Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Trade certification for aircraft structural technicians is available, but voluntary, in British Columbia.
Industry certification from the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council for some occupations in this unit group is available, but voluntary.
Aircraft inspectors require several years of experience as an aircraft mechanic.

Similar jobs with a different code

Common questions

Is NOC 72404 (Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors) a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?: Yes. From November 3, 2026, NOC 72404 is in the 1.3× tier of IRCC’s high-wage list, meaning its national median wage is at least 1.3 times, but less than 1.5 times, the median wage of the Canadian workforce (2023 to 2025 data).
How many CRS points does NOC 72404 give?: With 12 months or more of skilled Canadian work in NOC 72404, you add 20 points to your Canadian work-experience points. For example, a single candidate with 3 years of Canadian work goes from 64 to 84 points. A qualifying job offer in NOC 72404 is worth 50 points instead. You get the higher of the two routes, never both, capped at 150 points (140 with a spouse).
Do I need to earn 1.3× the median wage myself?: No. The tier comes from the occupation’s national median wage, not from your own salary. What matters is that your job’s main duties match NOC 72404 and that the work is skilled, paid, Canadian experience.
Can I combine months in different high-wage jobs?: Months here combine with months in any other high-wage occupation (1.3×, 1.5× or 2×) for the 20-point add-on.
Which Express Entry programs accept NOC 72404?: As a TEER 2 occupation it counts as skilled work for the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Which category draws include NOC 72404?: It is on IRCC’s list for the Transport category, so you can also be invited in those category draws.

Other 1.3× high-wage occupations

More in technical trades and transportation officers and controllers

Find any NOC code · All high-wage occupations · Source: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0

See your CRS score with NOC 72404

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