NOC Canada 2022 List: Find Your Occupation In-Demand List

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a system developed by the Canadian government to provide a structure for the analysis and assessment of occupation in Canada. 

NOC Canada list categorizes all occupations in the Canadian labour market and is used by Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to evaluate a candidate’s work experience.  

Immigration programs use the NOC to determine if a job or type of work experience meets their eligibility. 

In this article, we will explore the different skill levels and skill types of NOC Canada and the occupation in-demand list.

Skill Levels And Skill Types Of NOC Canada

NOC classifies different skill levels based on the type of occupation and the extent and type of education. 

NOC Skill Levels

Skill Level O: 

This category is for management-related professions like;

1. Human Resource Managers

2. Mechanical Engineers

3. Electrical Engineers

4. Construction Managers

5. Marketing Managers

6. IT and Software Managers

7. Shore captains

8. Mine managers

Skill Level A: 

This job category is occupations that require at least a university degree. Examples include;

1. Doctors

2. Engineers 

3. Scientists 

4. Professors

5. Architects

6. Dentists

Skill Level B: 

This job category is for skilled trade workers or tech-related occupations that require apprentice training or a college diploma. Some examples are;

1. Electricians

2. Carpenters

3. Mechanics

4. Plumbers

5. Chefs

Skill Level C:

This category is for intermediate professionals with high school qualifications. They include

1. Restaurant servers

2. Construction workers

3. Long-haul truck drivers

4. Industrial butchers 

Read Also: Canada Arranged Employment Opinion

Skill Level D:

This job category is for labor-related professions that require only training. Some of them include;

1. Cleaning staff

2. Fruit pickers 

3. Oil field workers

Skill Types 

Jobs in the occupation in-demand list are classified generally into 9 skill types. The first digit or number in a NOC shows the industry of the profession.

Skill Type	Job Opportunity
Skill type 0	Management occupation
Skill type 1	Business, finance, and administration occupations
Skill type 2	Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
Skill type 3	Health occupations.
Skill type 4	Occupation in education, law, and social, community, and government services
Skill type 5	Occupation in art, culture, and relation in sports
Skill type 6	Sales and service occupations
Skill type 7	Trades, transports, and equipment operators and related occupations
Skill type 8	Natural resources, agriculture, and related production occupations
Skill type 9	Occupation and manufacturing in utilities.

 

Canada Occupation In-Demand List 

The following is the occupation in-demand list of NOC Canada:

Serial Number	NOC	Job Title
1	0011	Legislators
2	0012	Senior government managers and officials
3	0013	Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services
4	0014	Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
5	0015	Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services, n.e.c.
6	0016	Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities
7	0111	Financial managers
8	0112	Human resources managers
9	013	Purchasing managers
10	0114	Other administrative services managers
11	0121	Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers
12	0122	Banking, credit and other investment managers
13	0124	Advertising, marketing and public relations managers
14	0125	Other business services managers
15	0131	Telecommunication carriers managers
16	0132	Postal and courier services managers
17	0211	Engineering managers
18	0212	Architecture and science managers
19	0213	Computer and information systems managers
20	0311	Managers in health care
21	0411	Government managers – health and social policy development and program administration
22	0412	Government managers – economic analysis, policy development and program administration
23	0413	Government managers – education policy development and program administration
24	0414	Other managers in public administration
25	0421	Administrators – post-secondary education and vocational training
26	0422	School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
27	0423	Managers in social, community and correctional services
28	0431	Commissioned police officers
29	0432	Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
30	0433	Commissioned officers of the Canadian Forces
31	0511	Library, archive, museum and art gallery managers
32	0512	Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
33	0513	Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors
34	0601	Corporate sales managers
35	0621	Retail and wholesale trade managers
36	0631	Restaurant and food service managers
37	0632	Accommodation service managers
38	0651	Managers in customer and personal services, n.e.c.
39	0711	Construction managers
40	0712	Home building and renovation managers
41	0714	Facility operation and maintenance managers
42	0731	Managers in transportation
43	0811	Managers in natural resources production and fishing
44	0821	Managers in agriculture
45	0822	Managers in horticulture
46	0823	Managers in aquaculture
47	0911	Manufacturing managers
48	0912	Utilities managers
49	1111	Financial auditors and accountants
50	1112	Financial and investment analysts
51	1113	Securities agents, investment dealers and brokers
52	1114	Other financial officers
53	1121	Human resources professionals
54	1122	Professional occupations in business management consulting
55	1123	Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
56	1211	Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers
57	1212	Supervisors, finance and insurance office workers
58	1213	Supervisors, library, correspondence and related information workers
59	1214	Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations
60	1215	Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling co-ordination occupations
61	1221	Administrative officers
62	1222	Executive assistants
63	1223	Human resources and recruitment officers
64	1224	Property administrators
65	1225	Purchasing agents and officers
66	1226	Conference and event planners
67	1227	Court officers and justices of the peace
68	1228	Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers
69	1241	Administrative assistants
70	1242	Legal administrative assistants
71	1243	Medical administrative assistants
72	1251	Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations
73	1252	Health information management occupations
74	1253	Records management technicians
75	1254	Statistical officers and related research support occupations
76	1311	Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
77	1312	Insurance adjusters and claims examiners
78	1313	Insurance underwriters
79	1314	Assessors, valuators and appraisers
80	1315	Customs, ship and other brokers
81	2111	Physicists and astronomers
82	2112	Chemists
83	2113	Geoscientists and oceanographers
84	2114	Meteorologists and climatologists
85	2115	Other professional occupations in physical sciences
86	2121	Biologists and related scientists
87	2122	Forestry professionals
88	2123	Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists
89	2131	Civil engineers
90	2132	Mechanical engineers
91	2133	Electrical and electronics engineers
92	2134	Chemical engineers
93	2141	Industrial and manufacturing engineers
94	2142	Metallurgical and materials engineers
95	2143	Mining engineers
96	2144	Geological engineers
97	2145	Petroleum engineers
98	2146	Aerospace engineers
99	2147	Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
100	2148	Other professional engineers, n.e.c.
101	2151	Architects
102	2152	Landscape architects
103	2153	Urban and land use planners
104	2154	Land surveyors
105	2161	Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
106	2171	Information systems analysts and consultants
107	2172	Database analysts and data administrators
108	2173	Software engineers and designers
109	2174	Computer programmers and interactive media developers
110	2175	Web designers and developers
111	2211	Chemical technologists and technicians
112	2212	Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
113	2221	Biological technologists and technicians
114	2222	Agricultural and fish products inspectors
115	2223	Forestry technologists and technicians
116	2224	Conservation and fishery officers
117	2225	Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
118	2231	Civil engineering technologists and technicians
119	2232	Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
120	2233	Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
121	2234	Construction estimators
122	2241	Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
123	2242	Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)
124	2243	Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
125	2244	Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
126	2251	Architectural technologists and technicians
127	2252	Industrial designers
128	2253	Drafting technologists and technicians
129	2254	Land survey technologists and technicians
130	2255	Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
131	2261	Non-destructive testers and inspection technicians
132	2262	Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers
133	2263	Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety
134	2264	Construction inspectors
135	2271	Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
136	2272	Air traffic controllers and related occupations
137	2273	Deck officers, water transport
138	2274	Engineer officers, water transport
139	2275	Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
140	2281	Computer network technicians
141	2282	User support technicians
142	2283	Information systems testing technicians
143	3011	Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors
144	3012	Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
145	3111	Specialist physicians
146	3112	General practitioners and family physicians
147	3113	Dentists
148	3114	Veterinarians
149	3121	Optometrists
150	3122	Chiropractors
151	3124	Allied primary health practitioners
152	3125	Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
153	3131	Pharmacists
154	3132	Dietitians and nutritionists
155	3141	Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
156	3142	Physiotherapists
157	3143	Occupational therapists
158	3144	Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
159	3211	Medical laboratory technologists
160	3212	Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants
161	3213	Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
162	3214	Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
163	3215	Medical radiation technologists
164	3216	Medical sonographers
165	3217	Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.
166	3219	Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)
167	3221	Denturists
168	3222	Dental hygienists and dental therapists
169	3223	Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants
170	3231	Opticians
171	3232	Practitioners of natural healing
172	3233	Licensed practical nurses
173	3234	Paramedical occupations
174	3236	Massage therapists
175	3237	Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
176	4011	University professors and lecturers
177	4012	Post-secondary teaching and research assistants
178	4021	College and other vocational instructors
179	4031	Secondary school teachers
180	4032	Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
181	4033	Educational counsellors
182	4111	Judges
183	4112	Lawyers and Quebec notaries
184	4151	Psychologists
185	4152	Social workers
186	4153	Family, marriage and other related counsellors
187	4154	Professional occupations in religion
188	4155	Probation and parole officers and related occupations
189	4156	Employment counsellors
190	4161	Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers
191	4162	Economists and economic policy researchers and analysts
192	4163	Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants
193	4164	Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers
194	4165	Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers
195	4166	Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers
196	4167	Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers
197	4168	Program officers unique to government
198	4169	Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.
199	4211	Paralegal and related occupations
200	4212	Social and community service workers
201	4214	Early childhood educators and assistants
202	4215	Instructors of persons with disabilities
203	4216	Other instructors
204	4217	Other religious occupations
205	4311	Police officers (except commissioned)
206	4312	Firefighters
207	4313	Non-commissioned ranks of the Canadian Forces
208	5111	Librarians
209	5112	Conservators and curators
210	5113	Archivists
211	5121	Authors and writers
212	5122	Editors
213	5123	Journalists
214	5125	Translators, terminologists and interpreters
215	5131	Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
216	5132	Conductors, composers and arrangers
217	5133	Musicians and singers
218	5134	Dancers
219	5135	Actors and comedians
220	5136	Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
221	5211	Library and public archive technicians
222	5212	Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries
223	5221	Photographers
224	5222	Film and video camera operators
225	5223	Graphic arts technicians
226	5224	Broadcast technicians
227	5225	Audio and video recording technicians
228	5226	Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
229	5227	Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts
230	5231	Announcers and other broadcasters
231	5232	Other performers, n.e.c.
232	5241	Graphic designers and illustrators
233	5242	Interior designers and interior decorators
234	5243	Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
235	5244	Artisans and craftspersons
236	5245	Patternmakers – textile, leather and fur products
237	5251	Athletes
238	5252	Coaches
239	5253	Sports officials and referees
240	5254	Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness
241	6211	Retail sales supervisors
242	6221	Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade
243	6222	Retail and wholesale buyers
244	6231	Insurance agents and brokers
245	6232	Real estate agents and salespersons
246	6235	Financial sales representatives
247	6311	Food service supervisors
248	6312	Executive housekeepers
249	6313	Accommodation, travel, tourism and related services supervisors
250	6314	Customer and information services supervisors
251	6315	Cleaning supervisors
252	6316	Other services supervisors
253	6321	Chefs
254	6322	Cooks
255	6331	Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale
256	6332	Bakers
257	6341	Hairstylists and barbers
258	6342	Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners
259	6343	Shoe repairers and shoemakers
260	6344	Jewellers, jewellery and watch repairers and related occupations
261	6345	Upholsterers
262	6346	Funeral directors and embalmers
263	7201	Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
264	7202	Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
265	7203	Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
266	7204	Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
267	7205	Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
268	7231	Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
269	7232	Tool and die makers
270	7233	Sheet metal workers
271	7234	Boilermakers
272	7235	Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
273	7236	Ironworkers
274	7237	Welders and related machine operators
275	7241	Electricians (except industrial and power system)
276	7242	Industrial electricians
277	7243	Power system electricians
278	7244	Electrical power line and cable workers
279	7245	Telecommunications line and cable workers
280	7246	Telecommunications installation and repair workers
281	7247	Cable television service and maintenance technicians
282	7251	Plumbers
283	7252	Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
284	7253	Gas fitters
285	7271	Carpenters
286	7272	Cabinetmakers
287	7281	Bricklayers
288	7282	Concrete finishers
289	7283	Tile setters
290	7284	Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
291	7291	Roofers and shinglers
292	7292	Glaziers
293	7293	Insulators
294	7294	Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
295	7295	Floor covering installers
296	7301	Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
297	7302	Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
298	7303	Supervisors, printing and related occupations
299	7304	Supervisors, railway transport operations
300	7305	Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
301	7311	Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
302	7312	Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
303	7313	Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
304	7314	Railway Carmen/women
305	7315	Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
306	7316	Machine fitters
307	7318	Elevator constructors and mechanics
308	7321	Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
309	7322	Motor vehicle body repairers
310	7331	Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
311	7332	Appliance servicers and repairers
312	7333	Electrical mechanics
313	7334	Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
314	7335	Other small engine and small equipment repairers
315	7361	Railway and yard locomotive engineers
316	7362	Railway conductors and brakemen/women
317	7371	Crane operators
318	7372	Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction
319	7373	Water well drillers
320	7381	Printing press operators
321	7384	Other trades and related occupations, n.e.c.
322	8211	Supervisors, logging and forestry
323	8221	Supervisors, mining and quarrying
324	8222	Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
325	8231	Underground production and development miners
326	8232	Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
327	8241	Logging machinery operators
328	8252	Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
329	8255	Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services
330	8261	Fishing masters and officers
331	8262	Fishermen/women
332	9211	Supervisors, mineral and metal processing
333	9212	Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
334	9213	Supervisors, food, beverage and associated products processing
335	9214	Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing
336	9215	Supervisors, forest products processing
337	9217	Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing
338	9221	Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling
339	9222	Supervisors, electronics manufacturing
340	9223	Supervisors, electrical products manufacturing
341	9224	Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing
342	9226	Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing
343	9227	Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly
344	9231	Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing
345	9232	Petroleum, gas and chemical process operators
346	9235	Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators
347	9241	Power engineers and power systems operators
348	9243	Water and waste treatment plant operators

Finding Your NOC

The NOC code is a combination of four digits. To identify your correct NOC,  you would have to search the NOC database using the following steps;

• Using your job title, check your NOC in the ‘filter items’ field.
• Write down the numeric code shown on the left column
• On the right column, you would find the skill level or type. 
• Visit the NOC website and search for your NOC using the code or numeric title

Note: There may be cases where your efficiency matches more than one occupation. So what do you do? Since you may not be able to claim multiple codes, you will have to resolve it. 

The first step is to provide a reference letter of employment from your previous employers to claim a NOC code then you have to resolve which occupation best fits your experience. Your NOC code must match your occupation or else it may be rejected.

 

Employment Reference Letter

To gain approval in your application for permanent residence through Express Entry or skilled worker programs, you would need to submit a reference letter from your previous employers. 

The employment reference letter provides the necessary information that is required during the immigration process. This information includes;

1. Job Title

2. Salary

3. The dates of employment 

4. The average hours of work per week

5. A detailed list of your previous employment duties and responsibilities

In a case where you are not able to get a reference letter from your employer, you will have to explain it to the visa officer. 

Make sure to provide the supporting documents for your NOC code including a letter that explains why you cannot provide a reference letter.

Programs You Are Eligible For With A NOC

There are several immigration programs you can be eligible for with a NOC code although it would depend on your skill type. They are as follows;

• For individuals with Skill type 0, A, and B, you may be eligible for the 3 Express Entry immigration programs (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class). You may also be eligible for the Atlantic High Skill Program of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.

• Individuals with Skill type C are eligible for the intermediate skill program of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.

• If you fall under Skill type C or D, you may be eligible for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). These include Prince Edward Island PNP, the Northwest Territories  PNP, the Yukon PNP, etc.

Why Is NOC Used?

The National Occupation Classification code is used for immigration and job purposes.

• If you are immigrating to Canada, you can select your NOC and then consult an immigration professional to ensure you’ve chosen the correct NOC code.
• Government job boards (e.g. job banks) post their jobs using the NOC code which makes it easy to search for jobs. 

NOC Major And Minor Groups

NOC Major Groups refer to the first two digits of a NOC code together. For instance, Major Group 31 refers to occupations in the health industry (Skill Type 3) that require a university degree (Skill Level A).

All the occupations under this major group will have a NOC code that begins with 31. This includes nutritionists(3132), dentists(3113), and pharmacists(3131) and so on. 

NOC Minor Groups refer to the first three digits of a NOC code. They group similar occupations within each major group together for easy identification. For instance, judges have the NOC code – 4111 and lawyers – 4112. They are both in Minor Group 411. 

Social workers and family counselors have NOC codes; 4152 and 4153 respectively and they are both in Minor Group 415. Also, note that social workers and family counselors have major group 41. 

Importance Of NOC Canada

The NOC is recognized and followed by the federal and provincial governments of Canada. It classifies occupations based on the job duties and the work a person does. The following are some importance of the NOC.

1. It provides information about each profession including job title, description, and responsibilities related to the occupation. 

2. The categorization of different jobs or occupations and skills helps to solve issues related to the shortage of efficient labor in Canada

3. Statisticians, labor market analysts, employers, career counselors, and job seekers use the NOC as a standardized way of describing and understanding the nature of work

4. The system helps the Canadian government and employers in choosing the right candidate as it classifies them according to job duties

5. Your NOC code plays a vital role in your immigration process. You cannot apply for a Canadian immigration program without a NOC code

6. The NOC skill level identifies occupations and classifies them based on type and amount of training

7. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also uses the system to identify and analyze skill shortages in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

NOC Canada groups occupations into skill levels and job types to analyze and assess occupations in the country. The NOC also helps the government identify skill shortages and rectify them.  

Most Canadian immigration programs require the NOC code as part of the application process. You can check the occupation in-demand list to know your code. 

However, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) in collaboration with Statistics Canada updates the list every 5 years and revises it every 10 years so it’s best to visit the official website to get updated information. 

We hope this post has been helpful. If you have any questions or comments, kindly share them in the section below.