Plumbers
Occupation · NOC 2021 72300 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 72300
- TEER
- 2
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 1,273
- Median wage, Canada
- C$34.00 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 3,263
OC<CANPLUMBERS<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 723008<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6
About this occupation
Plumbers install, repair and maintain pipes, fixtures and other plumbing equipment used for water distribution and waste water disposal in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. They are employed in maintenance departments of factories, plants and similar establishments, by plumbing contractors, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Example job titles
- maintenance plumber
- plumber
- plumber apprentice
- plumbing mechanic
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Read blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine layout of plumbing system, water supply network and waste and drainage systems
- Install, repair and maintain domestic, commercial or industrial plumbing fixtures and systems
- Locate and mark positions for pipe connections, passage holes and fixtures in walls and floors
- Cut opening in walls and floors to accommodate pipe and pipe fittings
- Measure, cut, bend and thread pipes using hand and power tools or machines
- Join pipes using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement or soldering, brazing and welding equipment
- Test pipes for leaks using air and water pressure gauges
- May prepare cost estimates.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a four- to five-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over five years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in plumbing is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified plumbers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal 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 | 72 |
| 2017 | 71 |
| 2018 | 47 |
| 2019 | 115 |
| 2020 | 91 |
| 2021 | 70 |
| 2022 | 174 |
| 2023 | 210 |
| 2024 | 230 |
| 2025 | 173 |
| 2026 | 20 |
- Rai Plumbing Ltd31
- Milani Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning Ltd.25
- True Constructible Solutions Ltd.25
- IBG Mechanical Ltd20
- Lisi Mechanical Contractors Ltd.19
- A-1 Drainage Plumbing & Heating Ltd.17
- Milani Plumbing Drainage & Heating Ltd.16
- Clairmont Mechanical Contracting Ltd.15
- Ray Johnson Mechanical Inc.14
- AAA PLUMBING & HEATING LTD13
- Akal Plumbing and Heating Ltd.13
- Lally Plumbing & Heating Ltd.13
- SWR Drain Service Ltd.12
- Hundal Bros. Plumbing & Heating Ltd11
- SULLIVAN MECHANICAL LTD11
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 | 70 | 65 |
| 2025 | 110 | 5 |
| 2024 | 105 | 40 |
| 2023 | 90 | 15 |
| 2022 | 60 | 0 |
| 2021 | 35 | 5 |
| 2020 | 30 | 0 |
| 2019 | 55 | 75 |
| 2018 | 25 | 45 |
| 2017 | 0 | 10 |
| 2016 | 5 | 0 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 70 |
| 2019 | 130 |
| 2020 | 30 |
| 2021 | 40 |
| 2022 | 60 |
| 2023 | 105 |
| 2024 | 145 |
| 2025 | 115 |
| 2026 | 135 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 35 |
| 2021 | 105 |
| 2022 | 30 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 30 |
- Canadian Experience Class215
- Provincial Nominee Program150
- Federal Skilled Trades40
- Federal Skilled Worker20
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$21.00 | C$34.00 | C$46.00 |
| Alberta | C$20.00 | C$30.00 | C$43.00 |
| British Columbia | C$23.00 | C$32.00 | C$48.00 |
| Manitoba | C$21.00 | C$30.11 | C$43.00 |
| New Brunswick | C$16.50 | C$26.00 | C$34.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$18.50 | C$27.50 | C$36.03 |
| Nova Scotia | C$18.00 | C$33.00 | C$38.38 |
| Ontario | C$20.00 | C$32.50 | C$50.38 |
| Quebec | C$24.50 | C$40.00 | C$45.00 |
| Saskatchewan | C$22.00 | C$35.00 | C$43.00 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 3,263
- Vacancies advertised
- 4,677
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$35.00
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