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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
NOC72404TEER 2
Year by year
Data as at 2026
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

6112220162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
61122201620182020202220242026
Data table
201610
20175
201827
201961
202039
20217
2022117
202365
2024122
202588
202618
By province or territory
  1. Quebec258
  2. British Columbia175
  3. Alberta65
  4. Ontario59
  5. Saskatchewan1
  6. Yukon1
Employers with the most positions
  1. Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd.97
  2. AAR Aircraft Services – Trois-Rivières ULC65
  3. MTU Maintenance Canada Ltd.42
  4. Avianor41
  5. M1 Composites Technology36
  6. Bombardier Aviation29
  7. Eagle Copters Maintenance Ltd.22
  8. MHI Canada Aerospace, Inc.18
  9. M1 Composites Technologie17
  10. TransCanada Turbines Ltd.13
  11. Longview Aviation Services Inc.13
  12. Longview Aviation Capital Corp.12
  13. 9347-2983 Québec Inc.11
  14. Harbour Air Aerospace Services LTD11
  15. Central Mountain Air Ltd10
By stream
  1. High-wage stream (TFWP)532
  2. Low-wage stream (TFWP)12
  3. LMIA for permanent residence only3
  4. Global Talent Stream (TFWP)2

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
202610145
202515125
202445200
202350225
2022570
2021055
2020595
20195400
20180265
201730230
20160135
20150210

All work permits by year

203405201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
2034052015201720192021202320252026
Data table
2015210
2016135
2017260
2018265
2019405
2020100
202155
202275
2023275
2024245
2025140
2026155

Permanent residence

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

New permanent residents by year

408020182019202120222023202420252026
408020182021202320252026
Data table
201810
201930
202180
202215
202335
202455
202525
202635
Express Entry invitations since 2015, by programme
  1. Canadian Experience Class300
  2. Provincial Nominee Program215
  3. Federal Skilled Worker35

Wages

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

AreaLowMedianHigh
CanadaC$24.48C$39.00C$52.88
AlbertaC$36.50C$44.50C$51.90
British ColumbiaC$28.00C$39.00C$51.00
ManitobaC$20.10C$33.12C$45.67
New BrunswickC$29.30C$39.53C$54.60
Newfoundland and LabradorC$20.19C$37.00C$72.12
Nova ScotiaC$24.99C$39.00C$50.00
OntarioC$22.00C$38.00C$52.66
QuebecC$28.00C$39.00C$57.00
SaskatchewanC$25.00C$40.00C$51.00
Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
414
Vacancies advertised
1,287
Median advertised minimum hourly wage
C$30.00