Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
Occupation · NOC 2021 72301 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 72301
- TEER
- 2
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 295
- Median wage, Canada
- C$43.89 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 596
OC<CANSTEAMFITTERS<PIPEFITTERS<AND<SPRINKLER 723011<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2
About this occupation
Steamfitters and pipefitters lay out, assemble, fabricate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair piping systems carrying water, steam, chemicals and fuel in heating, cooling, lubricating and other process piping systems. Sprinkler system installers fabricate, install, test, maintain and repair water, foam, carbon dioxide and dry chemical sprinkler systems in buildings for fire protection purposes. Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers are employed in maintenance departments of factories, plants and similar establishments, and by pipefitting and sprinkler system contractors, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Example job titles
- apprentice pipefitter-steamfitter
- fire protection mechanic
- fire sprinkler fitter
- marine pipefitter
- pipefitter
- sprinkler system fitter
- sprinkler system installer
- steamfitter
- steamfitter-pipefitter
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Steamfitters and pipefitters
- Read and interpret drawings, blueprints and specifications to determine layout requirements
- Cut openings for pipe in walls, floors and ceilings using hand or power tools or machines
- Select type and size of pipe required
- Measure, cut, thread and bend pipe to required shape using hand and power tools
- Weld, braze, cement, solder and thread joints to join pipes and fabricate sections of piping system
- Install supports, valves, piping and control systems
- Test system for leaks using testing equipment
- Clean and maintain pipe units and fittings and flush system
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 steamfitting, pipefitting or sprinkler system installation is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Steamfitter-pipefitter trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
- Steamfitter-pipefitter (non-construction) trade certification is compulsory in Quebec.
- Sprinkler system installer trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Manitoba and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
- Sprinkler system installer (non-construction) trade certification is compulsory in Quebec.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified steamfitters-pipefitters and sprinkler system installers 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 | 8 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 30 |
| 2023 | 102 |
| 2024 | 52 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 11 |
- LEDCOR RMC SERVICES LTD.55
- Active Fire & Safety Services Ltd.44
- Alberta Council of Turnaround Industry Maintenance Stakeholders15
- Aecon Construction Solutions Inc.15
- Gisborne Holdings Ltd8
- Sprinkl-Tech Installations Inc7
- Lisi Mechanical Contractors Ltd.7
- ABF Mines7
- Serit Fire Protection Inc.6
- GROUPTECH INC.6
- Rahelu Plumbing & Heating Ltd.4
- SERVICE D'IMPARTITION INDUSTRIEL INC4
- Jewel Holdings Ltd.4
- Fire-Tech Sprinklers Ltd.4
- Five Star Fire Protection Ltd4
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 | 0 | 170 |
| 2024 | 0 | 30 |
| 2023 | 0 | 90 |
| 2022 | 0 | 10 |
| 2019 | 0 | 145 |
| 2018 | 5 | 105 |
| 2017 | 5 | 170 |
| 2016 | 130 | 0 |
| 2015 | 70 | 60 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 130 |
| 2016 | 130 |
| 2017 | 175 |
| 2018 | 110 |
| 2019 | 145 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 90 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2026 | 170 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2015 | 55 |
| 2016 | 45 |
| 2017 | 80 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2021 | 15 |
- Canadian Experience Class25
- Provincial Nominee Program10
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$27.00 | C$43.89 | C$55.59 |
| Alberta | C$26.94 | C$44.90 | C$56.77 |
| British Columbia | C$26.00 | C$42.05 | C$59.98 |
| Manitoba | C$23.20 | C$41.93 | C$53.00 |
| New Brunswick | C$29.84 | C$43.00 | C$53.17 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$28.26 | C$42.65 | C$53.00 |
| Nova Scotia | C$27.50 | C$45.00 | C$60.00 |
| Ontario | C$28.00 | C$45.96 | C$56.88 |
| Quebec | C$26.87 | C$43.88 | C$47.40 |
| Saskatchewan | C$25.00 | C$46.02 | C$54.29 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 596
- Vacancies advertised
- 1,208
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$35.00
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