73400

Heavy equipment operators

TEER 3 — College diploma, shorter apprenticeship or 6+ months training

Express Entry skill level: Yes
Regulated in Québec: Yes
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Trades, transport & equipment operators

7 › 73 › 734 › 7340

Definition

Heavy equipment operators operate heavy equipment used in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports, gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures; in surface mining and quarrying activities; and in material handling work. They are employed by construction companies, heavy equipment contractors, public works departments and pipeline, logging, cargo-handling and other companies. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Operate heavy equipment such as backhoes, bulldozers, loaders and graders to excavate, move, load and grade earth, rock, gravel or other materials during construction and related activities
Operate bulldozers or other heavy equipment to clear brush and stumps prior to logging activities and to build roads at logging and surface mining sites
Operate heavy equipment with pile driver head to drive piling into earth to provide support for buildings, bridges or other structures
Operate heavy dredging equipment to deepen waterways or reclaim earth fill
Operate heavy paving and surfacing equipment to lay, spread or compact concrete, asphalt and other surface materials during highway and road construction
Operate power shovels to excavate rock, ore or other materials from open-pit mines, strip mines, quarries or construction pits
Operate heavy equipment to move, load and unload cargo
Conduct pre-operational checks on equipment and clean, lubricate and refill equipment.

Example job titles

•backhoe operator
•bulldozer operator
•excavator operator
•gradall operator
•grader operator
•heavy equipment operator
•heavy equipment operator apprentice
•loader operator - construction

Overview

Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, Heavy Equipment Operators are classified under NOC code 73400. This TEER 3 occupation encompasses skilled workers who operate heavy machinery used in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports, gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, and other structures. Typical job titles under this classification include excavator operator, bulldozer operator, grader operator, and backhoe operator, with employment opportunities existing across construction, pipeline, and logging industries.

To qualify for employment in Canada under NOC 73400, candidates typically require completion of secondary school, alongside on-the-job training or completion of a heavy equipment operating program. Depending on the province or territory, trade certification or specific driver's licenses may be voluntary or compulsory. Daily duties involve conducting pre-operational inspections of equipment, operating machinery to excavate, grade, or pave, and performing routine maintenance or minor repairs.

For Canadian immigration, NOC 73400 is highly relevant. As a TEER 3 occupation, it qualifies for federal economic immigration pathways through the Express Entry system, specifically the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Additionally, candidates may find pathways through various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) targeting construction and skilled trades. Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice. For official guidelines, please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.