VISA ATLASWork visas & talent mobility

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
NOC72300TEER 2
Year by year
Data as at 2026
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

11523020162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
115230201620182020202220242026
Data table
201672
201771
201847
2019115
202091
202170
2022174
2023210
2024230
2025173
202620
By province or territory
  1. British Columbia973
  2. Ontario139
  3. Quebec84
  4. Alberta49
  5. Manitoba21
  6. Nunavut3
  7. Newfoundland and Labrador2
  8. Nova Scotia1
  9. Saskatchewan1
Employers with the most positions
  1. Rai Plumbing Ltd31
  2. Milani Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning Ltd.25
  3. True Constructible Solutions Ltd.25
  4. IBG Mechanical Ltd20
  5. Lisi Mechanical Contractors Ltd.19
  6. A-1 Drainage Plumbing & Heating Ltd.17
  7. Milani Plumbing Drainage & Heating Ltd.16
  8. Clairmont Mechanical Contracting Ltd.15
  9. Ray Johnson Mechanical Inc.14
  10. AAA PLUMBING & HEATING LTD13
  11. Akal Plumbing and Heating Ltd.13
  12. Lally Plumbing & Heating Ltd.13
  13. SWR Drain Service Ltd.12
  14. Hundal Bros. Plumbing & Heating Ltd11
  15. SULLIVAN MECHANICAL LTD11
By stream
  1. High-wage stream (TFWP)1,155
  2. Low-wage stream (TFWP)41
  3. LMIA for permanent residence only5

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).

YearTFWP permitsIMP permits
20267065
20251105
202410540
20239015
2022600
2021355
2020300
20195575
20182545
2017010
201650

All work permits by year

7314520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
73145201620182020202220242026
Data table
20165
201710
201870
2019130
202030
202140
202260
2023105
2024145
2025115
2026135

Permanent residence

Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).

New permanent residents by year

53105201520172018201920212022202320242025
5310520152018202120232025
Data table
20155
201710
20185
201935
2021105
202230
202310
202415
202530
Express Entry invitations since 2015, by programme
  1. Canadian Experience Class215
  2. Provincial Nominee Program150
  3. Federal Skilled Trades40
  4. Federal Skilled Worker20

Wages

Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.

AreaLowMedianHigh
CanadaC$21.00C$34.00C$46.00
AlbertaC$20.00C$30.00C$43.00
British ColumbiaC$23.00C$32.00C$48.00
ManitobaC$21.00C$30.11C$43.00
New BrunswickC$16.50C$26.00C$34.00
Newfoundland and LabradorC$18.50C$27.50C$36.03
Nova ScotiaC$18.00C$33.00C$38.38
OntarioC$20.00C$32.50C$50.38
QuebecC$24.50C$40.00C$45.00
SaskatchewanC$22.00C$35.00C$43.00
Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
3,263
Vacancies advertised
4,677
Median advertised minimum hourly wage
C$35.00