NOC Code Canada Explained (2026)
Full explanation of NOC 2021, TEER levels, code structure, and how to correctly identify your occupation for immigration.
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⚠️ For informational purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice. Always verify information with official sources such as IRCC (canada.ca) or consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer.
NOC Codes for In-Demand Jobs in Canada 2026
Last updated: April 2026 • By Maple Route Immigration Team
One of the most common questions from immigration applicants is: "What is my NOC code?" This guide lists the correct NOC 2021 codes for the most in-demand occupations in Canada — organized by sector — along with each occupation's TEER level and whether it qualifies for Express Entry.
TEER 0–3
In-demand NOC levels for immigration in 2026
Tech & Health
Top sectors for in-demand occupations
100+
High-demand codes for category-based draws
2026
IRCC updates in-demand occupation lists annually
🔍 Search Any Job Title Instantly
Not listed below? Use our free NOC Code Checker — just type your job title to find your NOC code, TEER level, and Express Entry eligibility in seconds.
Open NOC Code Checker →Why Your Exact NOC Code Matters
Under Canada's NOC 2021 system, every occupation is assigned a 5-digit code. The second digit is your TEER level, which determines whether your work experience qualifies for Express Entry and most provincial nominee programs. Getting the right code is not just administrative — the wrong code can lead to an ineligible profile, a misrepresentation finding, or a refused application.
Two people with the same job title might have different NOC codes depending on their actual duties. A "nurse" could be NOC 31301 (Registered Nurse, TEER 1) or NOC 33102 (Nurse Aide, TEER 3) — both qualify for Express Entry, but they are very different occupations with different educational requirements and duties. Always confirm based on what you actually do day-to-day.
Healthcare — NOC Codes for Medical Professionals
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER | Express Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family physician / General practitioner | 31102 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Registered nurse (RN) | 31301 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) | 32101 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Nurse aide / Personal support worker | 33102 | TEER 3 | ✔ Yes |
| Pharmacist | 31120 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Dental hygienist | 32110 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Paramedic / Emergency medical technician | 32120 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Medical laboratory technologist | 32120 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Physiotherapist | 31202 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
Technology — NOC Codes for IT & Software Professionals
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER | Express Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software developer / Engineer / Programmer | 21232 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Web developer / Front-end / Full-stack | 21233 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Data scientist / Machine learning engineer | 21211 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Cybersecurity specialist / Analyst | 21220 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Database analyst / Administrator | 21223 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| IT project manager | 21221 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Computer network technician | 22220 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| IT manager / Director of IT | 20012 | TEER 0 | ✔ Yes |
Engineering — NOC Codes for Engineers
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER | Express Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil engineer | 21310 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Mechanical engineer | 21301 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Electrical / Electronics engineer | 21310 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Chemical engineer | 21320 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Construction engineer / Project engineer | 21310 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Engineering technologist / Technician | 22300 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
Skilled Trades — NOC Codes for Tradespeople
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER | Express Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician (residential / commercial) | 72310 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Industrial electrician | 72320 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Plumber | 72422 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Welder | 72106 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Carpenter | 72310 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| HVAC technician | 72402 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Automotive service technician / Mechanic | 73200 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Heavy equipment operator | 73400 | TEER 3 | ✔ Yes |
Business, Finance & Administration — NOC Codes
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER | Express Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountant / CPA | 11100 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Financial analyst | 11101 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Human resources specialist / HR generalist | 11200 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Administrative assistant / Office administrator | 12100 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Administrative officer / Coordinator | 13100 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Bookkeeper / Accounting technician | 12200 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Financial manager | 10010 | TEER 0 | ✔ Yes |
Transportation & Logistics — NOC Codes
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER | Express Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport truck driver / Long-haul driver | 73300 | TEER 3 | ✔ Yes |
| Bus driver / Coach operator | 73310 | TEER 3 | ✔ Yes |
| Crane operator | 72601 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Supply chain / Logistics coordinator | 13201 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
Education & Social Services — NOC Codes
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER | Express Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary / Secondary school teacher | 41220 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Early childhood educator (ECE) | 42202 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Social worker | 41300 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
| Psychologist | 31200 | TEER 1 | ✔ Yes |
Food Service & Hospitality — NOC Codes
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER | Express Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook | 63200 | TEER 3 | ✔ Yes |
| Chef / Head cook | 62200 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Food service supervisor | 62020 | TEER 2 | ✔ Yes |
| Restaurant / Food service manager | 60030 | TEER 0 | ✔ Yes |
Important: Always Verify Your NOC Code Yourself
The tables above are a starting point. Your actual NOC code depends on your specific duties, not just your job title. Before using any NOC code for an immigration application, you must:
- ✔ Read the full occupation description on the official NOC database (noc.esdc.gc.ca)
- ✔ Compare your actual day-to-day duties with the listed "main duties" — at least the majority should match
- ✔ Confirm the TEER level shown in the NOC database matches what you expect
- ✔ Ensure your employer reference letter describes duties that align with the NOC description, not just your job title
Using the wrong NOC code — even unintentionally — can result in an ineligible Express Entry profile, a rejected PR application, or in serious cases, a misrepresentation finding that bars you from Canadian immigration for 5 years.
🔍 Not Sure About Your NOC Code?
Use our free NOC Code Checker to search any job title and instantly see the matching NOC code, TEER level, and whether it qualifies for Express Entry. Search from 130+ occupations across all major sectors.
Open NOC Code Checker →Key Takeaways
- TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 occupations are eligible for Express Entry — higher TEER numbers indicate less education required.
- Healthcare, tech, and skilled trades NOC codes consistently receive invitations in category-based draws.
- NOC code updates in 2022 changed all codes — verify your new code at canada.ca/noc before submitting any application.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) often have targeted streams for specific NOC codes — check provincial websites regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the NOC code that best matches your actual duties in your home country, as described to IRCC. If your duties are most similar to a Registered Nurse (NOC 31301) — providing clinical care, assessing patients, administering medications — then NOC 31301 is correct. If your role was more supportive, assisting nurses rather than independently providing care, NOC 33102 (Nurse Aide) may be more accurate. The title matters less than the duties. Read both NOC descriptions carefully and choose the one that matches the majority of your actual work.
Use the NOC code that reflects your primary role — the one you spend the most time doing and have the most experience in. You can also claim secondary experience in both roles if you meet the minimum experience thresholds. For your Express Entry primary NOC, choose whichever occupation you have the most qualifying hours in. Both NOC 21232 (Software Developers) and NOC 21221 (IT Project Managers) are TEER 1 and Express Entry eligible.
Yes. Cook is NOC 63200, TEER 3 — which qualifies for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) if the work was done in Canada. Cooks may also benefit from certain provincial nominee programs that target food service workers. Note that TEER 3 experience counts for CEC but may require additional qualifications for FSW eligibility.
Transport truck drivers in Canada are classified under NOC 73300, which is TEER 3. This occupation does qualify for Express Entry. Additionally, trucking is one of the categories targeted by transport-sector category-based draws, which often have lower CRS cut-offs. Long-haul truck driving experience in Canada (on a valid work permit) can count toward CEC eligibility.
Yes. Early Childhood Educators (ECE) fall under NOC 42202, which is TEER 2 and qualifies for Express Entry. Many provincial programs also specifically target ECEs due to nationwide demand for childcare workers. Some Atlantic provinces and British Columbia have dedicated PNP streams for ECEs with even lower requirements than the federal Express Entry pool.
This article is for general informational purposes. NOC codes reflect the NOC 2021 classification system. Always verify your code using the official NOC database before submitting any immigration application.
Related NOC & Immigration Guides
Best NOC Codes for Express Entry 2026
Which NOC codes dominate category-based draws — healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, and French draws explained.
Read Guide →NOC Code Mismatch in Express Entry
What happens if your duties don't perfectly match your NOC code, what IRCC checks, and how to avoid problems.
Read Guide →Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current rules at ircc.canada.ca or consult a licensed Canadian immigration professional.