NOC 72301: Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
What steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers do
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.
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
- Remove and replace worn components and reactivate system
- May prepare cost estimates for clients.
- Sprinkler system installers
- Read and interpret drawings, specifications and fire codes to determine layout requirements
- Install clamps, brackets and hangers to support piping system and sprinkler and fire protection equipment, using hand and power tools
- Select, measure, cut, ream and thread pipe, install sprinkler heads and mount prepared pipe in supports
- Join pipes and piping sections using soldering and welding equipment
- Connect piping system to water mains, supply tanks, pumps, compressors and control equipment
- Installs valves, alarms and associated equipment
- Test system for leaks using air or liquid pressure equipment
- Service and repair sprinkler system
- May prepare cost estimates for clients.
Job titles under NOC 72301
37 job titles are classified here, including apprentice pipefitter-steamfitter, fire protection mechanic, fire sprinkler fitter.
- apprentice pipefitter
- apprentice pipefitter-steamfitter
- apprentice sprinkler system fitter
- apprentice steamfitter
- fire prevention and automatic suppression systems installer
- fire protection mechanic
- fire protection piping installer
- fire protection piping system installer
- fire sprinkler fitter
- journeyman/woman pipefitter
- journeyman/woman sprinkler system installer
- journeyman/woman steamfitter-pipefitter
- maintenance pipefitter
- marine pipefitter
- marine steamfitter
- pipefitter
- pipefitter - shipbuilding
- pipefitter-steamfitter
- radiator pipe installer
- railway car and locomotive pipefitter
- ship pipefitter
- ship steamfitter
- sprinkler and fire protection installer
- sprinkler fitter
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.
Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers wages in Canada
Low, median and high hourly wages from Job Bank’s 2025 wage data. Annual figures assume full-time work (1,950 hours a year).
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Canada | $27.00/hr | $43.89/hr | $55.59/hr |
Toronto ON | $27.00/hr | $43.14/hr | $56.40/hr |
Montréal QC | $25.00/hr | $43.01/hr | $47.07/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $25.00/hr | $38.51/hr | $57.55/hr |
Calgary AB | $25.00/hr | $40.00/hr | $54.70/hr |
Edmonton AB | $27.31/hr | $46.73/hr | $57.52/hr |
Ottawa ON | $28.00/hr | $43.05/hr | $55.00/hr |
Winnipeg MB | $25.75/hr | $41.93/hr | $49.54/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $26.87/hr | $43.88/hr | $47.40/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $26.97/hr | $44.31/hr | $55.59/hr |
Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie region, ON | $28.05/hr | $43.14/hr | $57.80/hr |
London ON | $27.50/hr | $46.27/hr | $55.59/hr |
Halifax NS | $21.63/hr | $41.25/hr | $57.96/hr |
Victoria Vancouver Island and Coast region, BC | $26.24/hr | $44.72/hr | $60.17/hr |
Saskatoon Saskatoon–Biggar region, SK | $24.12/hr | $46.50/hr | $53.94/hr |
Regina Regina–Moose Mountain region, SK | $24.93/hr | $47.00/hr | $57.96/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | $28.26/hr | $42.65/hr | $53.00/hr |
Nova Scotia | $27.50/hr | $45.00/hr | $60.00/hr |
New Brunswick | $29.84/hr | $43.00/hr | $53.17/hr |
Quebec | $26.87/hr | $43.88/hr | $47.40/hr |
Ontario | $28.00/hr | $45.96/hr | $56.88/hr |
Manitoba | $23.20/hr | $41.93/hr | $53.00/hr |
Saskatchewan | $25.00/hr | $46.02/hr | $54.29/hr |
Alberta | $26.94/hr | $44.90/hr | $56.77/hr |
British Columbia | $26.00/hr | $42.05/hr | $59.98/hr |
Using NOC 72301 for your resume or Express Entry profile
- IRCC asks you to make sure the main duties listed for your NOC match what you actually did at your job. If they don’t, look for another unit group whose duties do.
- Describe your own work in your own words. Recruiters and ATS software look for concrete tools, results and scope, not text copied from the NOC.
- Applying from outside Canada? Run your resume through the Canadian resume format checker to catch things Canadian employers don’t expect, like a photo or date of birth.
- Use the job title the employer’s posting uses. The 37 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Gas fitters (NOC 72302)
- Pipefitters supervisor (NOC 72012)
- Plumbers (NOC 72300)
- Residential and commercial installers and servicers (NOC 73200)
- Sprinkler system installers supervisor (NOC 72012)
- Steamfitters supervisor (NOC 72012)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers?
Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers are NOC 2021 unit group 72301. Example job titles in this group include apprentice pipefitter-steamfitter, fire protection mechanic, fire sprinkler fitter, marine pipefitter.
What TEER is NOC 72301?
NOC 72301 is TEER 2 (College diploma or apprenticeship (2+ years)). Usually requires a 2–3 year college program or a 2–5 year apprenticeship, or the occupation carries supervisory or significant safety responsibilities. TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 work counts as skilled work experience for Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class programs.
How much do steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $43.89/hr, about $86,000 a year full-time, with a range of $27.00/hr to $55.59/hr.
Related occupations
Sources: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0; Employment and Social Development Canada, Job Bank wages (2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. OfferJetAI is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Check IRCC’s NOC guidance before you apply.