VISA ATLASWork visas & talent mobility
From→ToFind a corridor EN
☰

Transport truck drivers

Occupation · NOC 2021 73300 · Canada

NOC 2021 code
73300
TEER
3
Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
44,070
Median wage, Canada
C$26.42 per hour
Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
20,432
NOC73300TEER 3
Year by year
Data as at 2026
OC<CANTRANSPORT<TRUCK<DRIVERS<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
733001<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2

About this occupation

Transport truck drivers drive straight trucks or tractor-trailers to transport freight. Long-haul truck drivers operate heavy trucks over urban, interurban, provincial and international routes, while short-haul and local transport truck drivers operate over urban and short interurban routes. They are employed by transportation, manufacturing, distribution and moving companies, and trucking employment service agencies, or they may be self-employed.

Example job titles

  • bulk goods truck driver
  • dump truck driver
  • flatbed truck driver
  • heavy truck driver
  • logging truck driver
  • long haul truck driver
  • moving van driver
  • shunt truck driver
  • tow truck driver
  • tractor-trailer truck driver
  • transport driver
  • truck driver

Main duties

  • This group performs some or all of the following duties:
  • Long-haul transport truck drivers
  • Operate and drive primarily tractor-trailer, long-combination vehicle and straight-body trucks weighing over 4500 kg to transport goods and materials over long distances
  • Plan trip logistics and obtain required documentation to transport goods
  • Perform pre-trip, en route and post-trip inspection of vehicle systems, equipment and accessories such as tires, lights and turning signals, brakes and cold storage
  • Ensure cargo is secured properly in accordance with safety requirements and follow safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods
  • Obtain special permits and other documents required to transport cargo on international routes
  • Record cargo information, hours of service, distance travelled and fuel consumption
  • Administer bills of lading and manually or electronically maintain log books
  • Communicate with dispatcher, other drivers and customers using communication devices and on-board computers

Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • On-the-job-training is provided.
  • Completion of an accredited driver training course of up to three months duration, through a vocational school or community college, may be required.
  • A Class 3 or D licence is required to drive straight-body trucks.
  • A Class 1 or A licence is required to drive long combination vehicles.
  • Air brake endorsement (Z) is required for drivers who operate vehicles equipped with air brakes.
  • Transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) certification is required for drivers who transport hazardous products or dangerous goods.
  • Additional licensing endorsement or certification may be required to drive articulated trucks.
Source: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification 2021 Version 1.0. Statistics Canada Open LicenceData as at NOC 2021 v1.0

Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)

Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.

Approved positions by year

4,2688,53520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
4,2688,535201620182020202220242026
Data table
20161,076
20171,688
20181,112
20195,037
20203,980
20213,114
20227,045
20237,240
20248,535
20254,541
2026702
By province or territory
  1. British Columbia15,688
  2. Alberta8,750
  3. Ontario7,126
  4. Manitoba4,403
  5. Quebec3,890
  6. Saskatchewan1,832
  7. New Brunswick1,316
  8. Prince Edward Island531
  9. Nova Scotia515
  10. Northwest Territories10
  11. Newfoundland and Labrador9
Employers with the most positions
  1. Light Speed Logistics Inc421
  2. 2701545 CANADA INC294
  3. AYR Motor Express Inc283
  4. Bulk Carriers (P.E.I.) Limited267
  5. Systèmes Danfreight Inc.231
  6. Seafood Express (PEI) Limited211
  7. 4Tracks Ltd.200
  8. MDR Transportation Ltd.195
  9. Supersonic Transport Ltd177
  10. Triple Eight Transport Inc.173
  11. Highlight Motor Freight Inc.167
  12. Sutco Contracting Ltd154
  13. Acme Transport Ltd150
  14. RIG LOGISTICS INC.150
  15. Synergy Trucking Ltd.149
By stream
  1. High-wage stream (TFWP)39,831
  2. Low-wage stream (TFWP)3,126
  3. LMIA for permanent residence only37
Source: ESDC, Temporary Foreign Worker Program: employers who received positive and negative LMIAs (June 2014 – 2026 Q1). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2026 Q1

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
20263,505510
20255,740600
20247,980975
20236,055820
20223,9901,335
20212,3051,435
20202,840975
20192,530685
20181,370475
20171,100700
2016915825
20151,025615

All work permits by year

4,4788,955201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
4,4788,9552015201720192021202320252026
Data table
20151,640
20161,740
20171,800
20181,845
20193,215
20203,815
20213,740
20225,325
20236,875
20248,955
20256,340
20264,015
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (values rounded to the nearest 5; 1–4 suppressed). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at Jun 2026

Permanent residence

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

New permanent residents by year

1,6103,220201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
1,6103,2202015201720192021202320252026
Data table
2015460
2016475
2017435
20181,105
20191,470
2020590
20212,825
20223,085
20233,220
20243,060
20251,445
2026820
Express Entry invitations since 2015, by programme
  1. Canadian Experience Class1,185
  2. Provincial Nominee Program880
  3. Federal Skilled Worker20
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (values rounded to the nearest 5; 1–4 suppressed). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at Jun 2026

Wages

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

AreaLowMedianHigh
CanadaC$19.45C$26.42C$37.00
AlbertaC$21.00C$30.00C$42.31
British ColumbiaC$22.00C$30.77C$40.38
ManitobaC$17.00C$24.00C$34.72
New BrunswickC$17.00C$23.00C$32.00
Newfoundland and LabradorC$17.97C$24.75C$36.00
Nova ScotiaC$18.00C$24.00C$30.00
OntarioC$19.23C$26.00C$35.00
QuebecC$19.45C$25.20C$34.50
SaskatchewanC$18.50C$27.00C$37.00
Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
20,432
Vacancies advertised
54,922
Median advertised minimum hourly wage
C$30.16
Source: ESDC, Wages by occupation and economic region (2025 release). Open Government Licence – Canada; ESDC, Job Bank job postings, January–September 2026. Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 24 Oct 2026

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more