Mechanical engineers
Occupation · NOC 2021 21301 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 21301
- TEER
- 1
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 396
- Median wage, Canada
- C$45.67 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 1,295
OC<CANMECHANICAL<ENGINEERS<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 213013<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6
About this occupation
Mechanical engineers research, design and develop machinery and systems for heating, ventilating and air conditioning, power generation, transportation, processing and manufacturing. They also perform duties related to the evaluation, installation, operation and maintenance of mechanical systems. They are employed by consulting firms, by power-generating utilities and in a wide range of manufacturing, processing and transportation industries, or they may be self-employed.
Example job titles
- acoustics engineer
- automotive engineer
- design engineer - mechanical
- energy conservation engineer
- fluid mechanics engineer
- heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer
- mechanical engineer
- mechanical maintenance engineer
- nuclear engineer
- piping engineer
- power generation engineer
- refrigeration engineer
- robotics engineer
- thermal design engineer
- tool engineer
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct research into the feasibility, design, operation and performance of mechanisms, components and systems
- Plan and manage projects, and prepare material, cost and timing estimates, reports and design specifications for machinery and systems
- Design power plants, machines, components, tools, fixtures and equipment
- Analyze dynamics and vibrations of mechanical systems and structures
- Supervise and inspect the installation, modification and commissioning of mechanical systems at construction sites or in industrial facilities
- Develop maintenance standards, schedules and programs and provide guidance to industrial maintenance crews
- Investigate mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance problems
- Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for industrial construction or maintenance
- Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers and review and approve designs, calculations and cost estimates.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2016 | 40 |
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 22 |
| 2022 | 43 |
| 2023 | 70 |
| 2024 | 39 |
| 2025 | 78 |
| 2026 | 24 |
- Altitude Aerospace Inc.12
- BRP12
- Irving Shipbuilding Inc8
- Seaspan ULC7
- Bombardier Produits Récréatifs6
- Ressources Globales Aero inc6
- Société en commandite Airbus Canada6
- BRP inc.5
- Siemens Canada Limited5
- Airbus Atlantique Canada Inc.5
- Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH4
- Canimex4
- Voith HYDRO Inc.3
- Turntide Technologies Canada Inc.3
- Fives Liné Machines Inc.3
Work permits
Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).
| Year | TFWP permits | IMP permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 | 690 |
| 2025 | 0 | 770 |
| 2024 | 15 | 920 |
| 2023 | 20 | 920 |
| 2022 | 0 | 955 |
| 2021 | 0 | 675 |
| 2020 | 0 | 470 |
| 2019 | 0 | 990 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1,005 |
| 2017 | 5 | 1,000 |
| 2016 | 0 | 1,155 |
| 2015 | 0 | 1,165 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 1,165 |
| 2016 | 1,155 |
| 2017 | 1,005 |
| 2018 | 1,005 |
| 2019 | 990 |
| 2020 | 470 |
| 2021 | 675 |
| 2022 | 955 |
| 2023 | 940 |
| 2024 | 935 |
| 2025 | 770 |
| 2026 | 715 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2015 | 1,260 |
| 2016 | 860 |
| 2017 | 735 |
| 2018 | 935 |
| 2019 | 990 |
| 2020 | 625 |
| 2021 | 800 |
| 2022 | 785 |
| 2023 | 785 |
| 2024 | 595 |
| 2025 | 470 |
| 2026 | 370 |
- Federal Skilled Worker3,625
- Canadian Experience Class2,925
- Provincial Nominee Program1,390
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$30.00 | C$45.67 | C$72.49 |
| Alberta | C$33.65 | C$52.88 | C$96.15 |
| British Columbia | C$32.00 | C$43.27 | C$72.12 |
| Manitoba | C$28.20 | C$42.82 | C$65.23 |
| New Brunswick | C$31.25 | C$45.67 | C$82.05 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$35.00 | C$47.31 | C$75.00 |
| Nova Scotia | C$27.90 | C$43.86 | C$66.03 |
| Ontario | C$30.45 | C$46.42 | C$72.49 |
| Quebec | C$30.00 | C$44.00 | C$66.83 |
| Saskatchewan | C$33.65 | C$50.00 | C$64.90 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 1,295
- Vacancies advertised
- 1,377
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$32.00
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