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NOC 2021 · 94120 · TEER 4

NOC 94120: Sawmill machine operators

NOC 94120 is a TEER 4 occupation. TEER 4 and 5 work does not count for Express Entry, but some provincial and pilot programs accept it.

Last checked against official sources 2026-10-01
4
TEER level
—
Express Entry programs that accept it
0
2026 Express Entry categories
73
Official job titles under this code

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Sawmill machine operators operate, monitor and control automated lumbermill equipment to saw timber logs into rough lumber; saw, trim and plane rough lumber into dressed lumber of various sizes; and saw or split shingles and shakes. They are employed in sawmills and planing mills.

IRCC goes by what you actually did, not by your job title: your work must match the description above and most of the main duties below. Compare them with your reference letter line by line.

Job titles filed under this code

Official example titles

  • circular saw operator
  • edgerman/woman
  • head sawyer
  • log cut-off operator
  • planer operator
  • resaw operator
  • shake splitter
  • trimmerman/woman

Search all 73 official titles for this code →

Not this code

Close occupations that have their own code

  • Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing → 95103
  • Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders → 94123
  • Other wood processing machine operators → 94129
  • Supervisors, forest products processing → 92014
  • Woodworking machine operators → 94124

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Operate front-end loaders and stationary deck cranes to feed logs into the sawmill
  • Examine logs and rough lumber to determine size, condition, quality and other characteristics to decide best lumber cuts to carry out, or use automated equipment to convey logs through laser scanners which determine the most productive and profitable cutting patterns
  • Operate automated lumbermill from control rooms or consoles to saw logs into rough lumber; saw, trim and plane rough lumber into dressed lumber of various sizes; and saw or split shingles and shakes
  • Start conveyor system to move logs and lumber to and from saws
  • Set up and adjust saw equipment and replace blades or bands using wrenches, gauges and other hand tools
  • Operate equipment to sort and stack lumber by length and thickness, move stacks to storage areas or drying kilns, and feed lumber through planers
  • Monitor movement of lumber and computer screens to ensure cuts are made according to specifications, and print production reports
  • Clean and lubricate sawmill equipment.

What this code means for Express Entry

FSWNot accepted

FSW needs TEER 0–3 work.

CECNot accepted

CEC needs TEER 0–3 work.

FSTNot accepted

Not in a Federal Skilled Trades group.

TEER 4 and 5 work does not count for Express Entry. Some provincial nominee streams and federal pilots accept it. Browse pathways →

Check your eligibility with this code → Find pathways for this occupation

The code is carried into every tool on this site, so you only enter it once.

Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • College courses in wood processing technology may be required.
  • Several weeks of on-the-job training are usually provided.
  • Head sawyers and planer operators usually require several years of experience in other sawmill machine operating positions in the same company.
  • A certificate in industrial first aid may be required.

Good to know

  • There is some mobility among jobs in this occupational group.
  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Codes in the same group

NOCOccupationTEER
94121Pulp mill, papermaking and finishing machine operators4
94122Paper converting machine operators4
94123Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders4
94124Woodworking machine operators4
94129Other wood processing machine operators4

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