NOC 72601: Air traffic controllers and related occupations
Air traffic controllers direct air traffic within assigned airspace, and control moving aircraft and service vehicles at airports. Flight service specialists provide pilots with flight information essential to aviation safety. Flight dispatchers authorize airline flights over assigned routes. Air traffic controllers and flight service specialists are employed by NAV Canada and the Canadian Forces. Flight dispatchers are employed by airline and air services companies and by the Canadian Forces.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
NOC 72601 (Air traffic controllers and related occupations) is a TEER 2 occupation, so it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It is on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 2: +40 CRS for 12+ months of Canadian work, or 70 for a job offer. It isn't on any current category-based draw list.
TEER
TEER 2
Skilled for Express Entry
High-wage
Level 2
+40 work · 70 job offer
Category draws
None
IRCC 2026 lists
| NOC 2021 code | 72601 |
|---|---|
| Title | Air traffic controllers and related occupations |
| 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 40 for 12+ months of qualifying work in a Level 2 occupation, or 70 points for a valid job offer in it. How job offer points work.
Example job titles
- air traffic controller (ATC)
- airport air traffic controller
- enroute air traffic controller
- flight dispatcher
- flight service specialist (FSS)
- instrument flight rules air traffic controller
- terminal air traffic controller
- visual flight rules air traffic controller
Main duties
- Air traffic controllers
- Control flow of air traffic within assigned airspace using radar monitors, radio and other communication equipment and visual references
- Issue aircraft takeoff and landing instructions to pilots and relay meteorological, navigational and other information to pilots in flight
- Maintain radio and telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units and other area control centres, and coordinate movement of aircraft into adjoining areas
- Alert airport emergency services when aircraft are experiencing difficulties and report missing aircraft to search and rescue services
- Direct activities of all moving aircraft and service vehicles on or near airport runways.
- Flight service specialists
- Provide pre-flight information concerning current and forecast weather conditions, radio frequencies, terrain, airports and related data to assist pilots in preparation of flight plans
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 72600 — Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
- NOC 72602 — Deck officers, water transport
- NOC 72603 — Engineer officers, water transport
- NOC 72604 — Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
- 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 72600 Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors · NOC 72602 Deck officers, water transport →
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 72601 eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 72601 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 72601 a high-wage occupation?+
Yes. It's on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 2. From November 3, 2026, 12+ months of qualifying Canadian work in it adds 40 CRS points, or a valid job offer in it is worth 70 points (whichever is higher).
Which Express Entry category draws include NOC 72601?+
None of IRCC's current category-based selection lists include NOC 72601. Candidates can still be invited in general, program-specific (such as CEC) or PNP rounds.