NOC 72500: Crane operators
Crane operators operate cranes or draglines to lift, move, position or place machinery, equipment and other large objects at construction or industrial sites, ports, railway yards, surface mines and other similar locations. They are employed by construction, industrial, mining, cargo handling and railway companies. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
NOC 72500 (Crane operators) is a TEER 2 occupation, so it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It is on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 3: +20 CRS for 12+ months of Canadian work, or 50 for a job offer. It isn't on any current category-based draw list.
TEER
TEER 2
Skilled for Express Entry
High-wage
Level 3
+20 work · 50 job offer
Category draws
None
IRCC 2026 lists
| NOC 2021 code | 72500 |
|---|---|
| Title | Crane operators |
| Broad category | Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations |
| TEER | TEER 2 — usually requires a college diploma or apprenticeship of 2+ years, or supervisory roles |
CRS points for this occupation
Under the Labour Market Integration factor, IRCC gives you the higher of: your Canadian work-length points plus 20 for 12+ months of qualifying work in a Level 3 occupation, or 50 points for a valid job offer in it. How job offer points work.
Example job titles
- boom truck crane operator
- bridge crane operator
- climbing crane operator
- construction crane operator
- crane operator
- dragline crane operator
- gantry crane operator
- hoist operator (except underground mining)
Main duties
- Operate mobile and tower cranes to lift, move, position or place equipment and materials
- Perform pre-operational inspection, and calculate crane capacities and weight to prepare for rigging and hoisting
- Operate pile driving cranes to drive pilings into earth to provide support for buildings and other structures
- Operate cranes equipped with dredging attachments to dredge waterways and other areas
- Operate gantry cranes to load and unload ship cargo at port side
- Operate locomotive cranes to move objects and materials at railway yards
- Operate bridge or overhead cranes to lift, move and place plant machinery and materials
- Operate offshore oil rig cranes to unload and reload supply vessels
Your duties should match the lead statement and most of the main duties to use this NOC — check the full profile on the official NOC site.
Related occupations
- NOC 72501 — Water well drillers
- NOC 72010 — Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
- NOC 72011 — Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- NOC 72012 — Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
- NOC 72013 — Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
- NOC 72014 — Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
- NOC 72020 — Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
- NOC 72021 — Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
- NOC 72022 — Supervisors, printing and related occupations
- NOC 72023 — Supervisors, railway transport operations
← NOC 72429 Other small engine and small equipment repairers · NOC 72501 Water well drillers →
Calculate your CRS score → · All NOC codes · High-wage list
TEER 2 also matters for work permits: see the spousal open work permit (TEER rules for spouses of workers), LMIA explained and the Atlantic Immigration Program (job offers in TEER 0–4).
Sources: Statistics Canada NOC 2021 V1.0; IRCC high-wage occupations; IRCC category-based selection; IRCC who can apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is NOC 72500 eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 72500 is a TEER 2 occupation. IRCC counts work in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations as skilled work experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, as long as all other program requirements are met.
Is NOC 72500 a high-wage occupation?+
Yes. It's on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 3. From November 3, 2026, 12+ months of qualifying Canadian work in it adds 20 CRS points, or a valid job offer in it is worth 50 points (whichever is higher).
Which Express Entry category draws include NOC 72500?+
None of IRCC's current category-based selection lists include NOC 72500. Candidates can still be invited in general, program-specific (such as CEC) or PNP rounds.