Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
Occupation · NOC 2021 72404 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 72404
- TEER
- 2
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 559
- Median wage, Canada
- C$39.00 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 414
OC<CANAIRCRAFT<MECHANICS<AND<AIRCRAFT<INSPEC 724041<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2
About this occupation
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.
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
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
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.
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 | 10 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 27 |
| 2019 | 61 |
| 2020 | 39 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 117 |
| 2023 | 65 |
| 2024 | 122 |
| 2025 | 88 |
| 2026 | 18 |
- Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd.97
- AAR Aircraft Services – Trois-Rivières ULC65
- MTU Maintenance Canada Ltd.42
- Avianor41
- M1 Composites Technology36
- Bombardier Aviation29
- Eagle Copters Maintenance Ltd.22
- MHI Canada Aerospace, Inc.18
- M1 Composites Technologie17
- TransCanada Turbines Ltd.13
- Longview Aviation Services Inc.13
- Longview Aviation Capital Corp.12
- 9347-2983 Québec Inc.11
- Harbour Air Aerospace Services LTD11
- Central Mountain Air Ltd10
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 | 10 | 145 |
| 2025 | 15 | 125 |
| 2024 | 45 | 200 |
| 2023 | 50 | 225 |
| 2022 | 5 | 70 |
| 2021 | 0 | 55 |
| 2020 | 5 | 95 |
| 2019 | 5 | 400 |
| 2018 | 0 | 265 |
| 2017 | 30 | 230 |
| 2016 | 0 | 135 |
| 2015 | 0 | 210 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 210 |
| 2016 | 135 |
| 2017 | 260 |
| 2018 | 265 |
| 2019 | 405 |
| 2020 | 100 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 75 |
| 2023 | 275 |
| 2024 | 245 |
| 2025 | 140 |
| 2026 | 155 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2021 | 80 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2023 | 35 |
| 2024 | 55 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2026 | 35 |
- Canadian Experience Class300
- Provincial Nominee Program215
- Federal Skilled Worker35
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$24.48 | C$39.00 | C$52.88 |
| Alberta | C$36.50 | C$44.50 | C$51.90 |
| British Columbia | C$28.00 | C$39.00 | C$51.00 |
| Manitoba | C$20.10 | C$33.12 | C$45.67 |
| New Brunswick | C$29.30 | C$39.53 | C$54.60 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$20.19 | C$37.00 | C$72.12 |
| Nova Scotia | C$24.99 | C$39.00 | C$50.00 |
| Ontario | C$22.00 | C$38.00 | C$52.66 |
| Quebec | C$28.00 | C$39.00 | C$57.00 |
| Saskatchewan | C$25.00 | C$40.00 | C$51.00 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 414
- Vacancies advertised
- 1,287
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$30.00
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