NOC 21202: Urban and land use planners
Urban and land use planners develop plans and recommend policies for managing land use, physical facilities and associated services for urban and rural areas and remote regions. They are employed by all levels of government, land developers, engineering and other consulting companies, or may work as private consultants.
Official Main Duties for NOC 21202
Select the duties you perform in your actual job. Under IRCC guidelines, you must perform at least 60% of these duties for a successful work permit or PR reference letter.
Your employer reference letter must confirm you performed the main actions described in the duties above. Avoid copying words directly from the NOC description — officers expect natural job descriptions with specific company context.
Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 21202
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Urban and land use planners is categorized under TEER 1. Occupations in this tier typically require a university degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) or substantial managerial tenure.
Express Entry Alignment
Qualifies directly for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry. Work experience must be full-time (or equivalent part-time) and continuous for at least one year.
Target Category Status
Currently evaluated under standard General and CEC invitation rounds, or targeted through provincial in-demand lists such as Ontario (OINP), British Columbia (BC PNP), or Alberta (AAIP).
NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 Transition & Equivalency
Under Canada's previous NOC 2016 classification, this occupation was mapped under the following 4-digit code(s). When preparing your Express Entry profile or work reference letters, you must use the new 5-digit code NOC 21202.
Regional Wages Across Canada
Under Canadian immigration law, an employer hiring you under an LMIA must pay you at least the median wage listed below for your province.
| Province / Territory | Low Wage | Median Wage | High Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (National Average) | $28.21 | $46.15/hr | $65 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $33.26/hr | $48.86/hr | $73.68/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $28.54/hr | $42.19/hr | $63.49/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $28.42/hr | $40.89/hr | $63.58/hr |
| Quebec → | $30/hr | $43/hr | $62.64/hr |
| Ontario → | $27.56/hr | $47.38/hr | $76/hr |
| Manitoba → | $26.15/hr | $44.71/hr | $60.44/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $21.5/hr | $40.1/hr | $53/hr |
| Alberta → | $24.04/hr | $52.5/hr | $65/hr |
| British Columbia → | $35.29/hr | $46.04/hr | $59.34/hr |
| Yukon → | $34.01/hr | $45.02/hr | $65.3/hr |
| Northwest Territories → | $35.97/hr | $51.58/hr | $69.02/hr |
| Nunavut → | $35.4/hr | $56.94/hr | $85.38/hr |
🏙️Top Metropolitan Cities Wage Rates (ESDC 2025/2026)
Economic Region BenchmarksOfficial ESDC prevailing median wages across major Canadian metropolitan regions. Crucial for LMIA prevailing wage compliance and local job offer evaluations.
Employment Requirements
These are the education, training, and certification standards usually required by Canadian employers for this occupation:
- A bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning, geography, architecture, engineering or a related discipline is required.
- A master's degree in one of these disciplines may be required.
- Membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners is usually required.
- Urban and land use planners are regulated in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and membership in a provincial planning institute may be required in other provinces.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is offered by the Canada Green Building Council and may be required by some employers.
Official Job Titles for NOC 21202
29 Titles ListedIf your current job title matches any of these official examples, this NOC code is likely the right choice for your Express Entry reference letter:
Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)
Check this list to make sure your actual job is not classified under one of these related codes:
- Architects (See 21200 Architects)View NOC 21200→
- Architecture and science managers (See 20011 Architecture and science managers)View NOC 20011→
- Engineering managers (See 20010 Engineering managers)View NOC 20010→
- Land surveyors (See 21203 Land surveyors)View NOC 21203→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 21202 (Urban and land use planners)
Essential answers regarding Express Entry eligibility, LMIA prevailing wage compliance, and official reference letter rules.
Check Your Express Entry Score & Latest Cutoffs
Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 21202, explore your TEER 1 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.