Canada PR Process for Electricians (NOC 72200): Salaries, Jobs & Immigration Pathways 2025

Why Canada Can’t Stop Calling for Electricians

Think about this for a second: condos shooting up in Toronto, massive housing projects in Alberta, solar farms stretching across Saskatchewan. Who makes all of this work? Electricians.

Canada’s problem isn’t a lack of projects—it’s a lack of people. A huge portion of today’s workforce is in their 50s and 60s, and many are eyeing retirement. At the same time, Ottawa’s pushing hard on renewable energy and infrastructure upgrades. Put those together and you’ve got one conclusion: Canada doesn’t just want electricians—it desperately needs them.

For anyone trained abroad, that gap is more than a statistic. It’s a chance to secure Permanent Residency (PR) and build a long-term future here.

NOC 7220:The Official Word on Electricians

Let’s talk about the government classification for a second.

• Code: 72200
• Category: TEER 2 (a mix of training, education, and on-the-job experience)
• Title: Electricians (except industrial and power system)

In plain language? This covers your construction electricians, your maintenance folks, and anyone who wires up homes, offices, or commercial buildings.

Key difference: Industrial electricians (who work in big power plants or factories) are under a different NOC. If you’re more into wiring schools, hospitals, or housing complexes, you’re in 72200 territories.

Licensing tip: Most provinces require certification to legally work. If you get the Red Seal endorsement, it’s like a golden passport—you can work anywhere in Canada without re-certifying.

What the Job Really Looks Like

Sure, “installing and repairing electrical systems” sounds neat on paper, but what does it mean? In a Canadian context, electricians typically:

• Wire up homes, schools, offices, and shopping centres
• Read blueprints and translate them into working systems
• Keep everything aligned with the Canadian Electrical Code (safety is huge here)
• Troubleshoot when systems fail—and they will fail
• Split time across residential, commercial, and industrial sites

It’s not just about wires and switches. It’s about being the person everyone relies on when the lights need to stay on.

Electrician Salaries Across Canada

Here’s the part everyone leans in for: the pay checks.

(Source: Job Bank Canada, 2025 updates)

Quick reality check: Alberta and Ontario are leading the charge—Alberta thanks to oil & gas, and Ontario thanks to never-ending housing demand.

Looking Ahead: The Demand Forecast

By 2030, Canada expects to be short 700,000 skilled trades workers. Let that sink in.

Electricians will take a big chunk of that hit because:

• Nearly 40% of them are over 50, and retirement’s coming quick.
• Green energy projects (EV charging stations, wind farms, solar arrays) are ramping up.

If you’re an electrician abroad, this isn’t just a job opportunity—it’s a long-term career path in a country building its future on skilled trades.

Immigration: How Electricians Are Being Prioritized in 2025

Let’s get into immigration specifics.

• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): In 2025, cut-offs for electricians have hovered around 290–350 CRS. That’s way lower than general Express Entry rounds.
• Ontario’s Skilled Trades Stream (OINP): Sends out regular invites to electricians.
• Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP): Favors applicants with Alberta job offers.
• Saskatchewan (SINP): Still lists electricians as “in-demand.”

Insider tip: If your CRS is on the low side, PNPs (Provincial Nominee Programs) are often the fastest way forward.

Immigration Pathways for Electricians

So, how do you land PR? You’ve got options:

1. Express Entry

• FSTP: Tailored for tradespeople.
• FSWP: If you meet the higher education and language standards.
• CEC: For those who already have Canadian work experience.

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

• Ontario Skilled Trades Stream
• BC Skilled Worker Program
• Alberta Opportunity Stream
• Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand
• Manitoba Skilled Worker

3. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

If you’ve got a job lined up in the Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, NB, PEI, Newfoundland), this routes for you.

Already in Canada? TR → PR Pathways

A lot of electricians don’t land straight as PRs. They start with a work permit, often through an LMIA-backed job offer. Here’s how that usually plays out:

1. Get work experience in Canada → qualify for CEC or PNPs.
2. Secure your Red Seal → instantly boosts your credibility and job options.
3. Use regional programs like AIP or RNIP if your employers in a smaller community.

Paperwork & Fees: What You’ll Need

Yes, there’s paperwork. Here’s the essentials:

• Trade certification or Red Seal
• Educational Credential Assessment (if trained outside Canada)
• Language test (IELTS/CELPIP) – CLB 5 minimum for FSTP
• Work experience proof (letters, contracts, pay slips)
• Biometrics, medical exam, police clearance

Approximate costs in CAD:

• ECA: $200–300
• IELTS/CELPIP: ~$300
• Application fee: $1,365 (includes Right of PR Fee)
• Biometrics: $85
• Medical exam: $150–300

Final Advice for Electricians Eyeing Canada

Here’s the truth: electricians aren’t just in demand right now. They’re going to be essential for decades as Canada builds, renovates, and goes green.

If you’re serious about the move:

• Lock in your Red Seal early. It’ll pay off tenfold.
• Keep tabs on trades draws. They’re easier to qualify for than general Express Entry.
• Boost your CRS. Even a few points from a better language score or a provincial nomination can tip the scales.
• Stay organized. Immigration loves paperwork—don’t let missing documents slow you down.

With the right strategy, your path from skilled tradesperson to Canadian PR is not only realistic—it’s fast.

Thinking about Canada PR as an electrician?

Stay sharp on Express Entry updates, get your Red Seal lined up, and explore both federal and provincial programs. Canada’s door is open—don’t wait until the shortage gets worse.

Helpful links:

• Job Bank Canada – Electricians
• Red Seal Program
• IRCC Express Entry

FAQs: Canada PR for Electricians