NOC 72404: Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
What aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors do
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.
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
- Inspect structural and mechanical systems of aircraft and ensure that these systems meet Transport Canada and company standards of performance and safety
- Inspect work of aircraft mechanics performing maintenance, repair and overhaul, or modification of aircraft and aircraft mechanical systems to ensure adherence to standards and procedures
- Maintain detailed repair, inspection and certification records of aircraft.
Job titles under NOC 72404
84 job titles are classified here, including aircraft gas turbine engine technician, aircraft hydraulics mechanic, aircraft inspector.
- aero-engine mechanic
- aero-engine technician
- aircraft accessories mechanic
- aircraft accessories overhaul mechanic
- aircraft accessories overhaul technician
- aircraft accessories repairer
- aircraft accessories repairman/woman
- aircraft body repairer
- aircraft composite and sheet metal repairer
- aircraft engine accessories overhaul mechanic
- aircraft engine inspector
- aircraft engine mechanic
- aircraft engine mechanical systems overhaul inspector
- aircraft engine mechanical systems technician
- aircraft engine overhaul inspector
- aircraft engine overhaul mechanic
- aircraft engine repair and overhaul mechanic
- aircraft engine technician
- aircraft engine tester
- aircraft gas turbine engine technician
- aircraft hydraulics inspector
- aircraft hydraulics mechanic
- aircraft hydraulics shop technician
- aircraft hydraulics technician
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.
Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors 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 | $24.48/hr | $39.00/hr | $52.88/hr |
Toronto ON | $28.55/hr | $43.30/hr | $58.73/hr |
Montréal QC | $28.49/hr | $41.42/hr | $50.81/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $28.00/hr | $38.00/hr | $52.88/hr |
Calgary AB | $36.06/hr | $42.00/hr | $46.15/hr |
Edmonton AB | $36.50/hr | $44.50/hr | $51.90/hr |
Ottawa ON | $28.00/hr | $41.75/hr | $72.12/hr |
Winnipeg MB | $18.00/hr | $33.30/hr | $41.00/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $28.00/hr | $39.00/hr | $57.00/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $20.00/hr | $40.00/hr | $52.88/hr |
Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie region, ON | $28.99/hr | $42.25/hr | $57.47/hr |
London ON | $24.13/hr | $37.35/hr | $48.47/hr |
Halifax NS | $22.00/hr | $37.00/hr | $52.63/hr |
Victoria Vancouver Island and Coast region, BC | $24.00/hr | $39.96/hr | $74.52/hr |
Saskatoon Saskatoon–Biggar region, SK | $27.56/hr | $39.30/hr | $50.06/hr |
Regina Regina–Moose Mountain region, SK | $29.37/hr | $42.09/hr | $52.74/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.19/hr | $37.00/hr | $72.12/hr |
Nova Scotia | $24.99/hr | $39.00/hr | $50.00/hr |
New Brunswick | $29.30/hr | $39.53/hr | $54.60/hr |
Quebec | $28.00/hr | $39.00/hr | $57.00/hr |
Ontario | $22.00/hr | $38.00/hr | $52.66/hr |
Manitoba | $20.10/hr | $33.12/hr | $45.67/hr |
Saskatchewan | $25.00/hr | $40.00/hr | $51.00/hr |
Alberta | $36.50/hr | $44.50/hr | $51.90/hr |
British Columbia | $28.00/hr | $39.00/hr | $51.00/hr |
Using NOC 72404 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 84 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors (NOC 93200)
- Aircraft engine assembly fitter (NOC 72405)
- Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (NOC 22313)
- Aircraft mechanics and inspectors foreman/woman (NOC 72020)
- Airworthiness inspector (NOC 22231)
- Non-destructive test technician (NOC 22230)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors?
Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors are NOC 2021 unit group 72404. Example job titles in this group include aircraft gas turbine engine technician, aircraft hydraulics mechanic, aircraft inspector, aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) (except avionics).
What TEER is NOC 72404?
NOC 72404 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 aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $39.00/hr, about $76,000 a year full-time, with a range of $24.48/hr to $52.88/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.