NOC 22221: User support technicians
User support technicians provide first-line technical support to computer users experiencing difficulties with computer hardware and with computer applications and communications software. They are employed by computer hardware manufacturers and retailers, software developers, in call centres and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors. They are also employed by independent technical support companies or they may be self-employed.
Official Main Duties for NOC 22221
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 22221
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), User support technicians is categorized under TEER 2. Occupations in this tier typically require completion of a 2- to 3-year post-secondary diploma, apprenticeship training, or specialized technical certifications.
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 22221.
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) | $20.5 | $31.47/hr | $49 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $22.6/hr | $32.05/hr | $45.79/hr |
| Prince Edward Island → | $16.5/hr | $29.74/hr | $51.79/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $19/hr | $26/hr | $41.6/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $18.5/hr | $27.69/hr | $40.87/hr |
| Quebec → | $22/hr | $30.77/hr | $46.15/hr |
| Ontario → | $20/hr | $33/hr | $51.28/hr |
| Manitoba → | $16.25/hr | $26.15/hr | $44.08/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $19.96/hr | $32/hr | $43.34/hr |
| Alberta → | $20.19/hr | $30/hr | $57.69/hr |
| British Columbia → | $21.06/hr | $33.65/hr | $48.72/hr |
| Yukon → | $19.99/hr | $34.18/hr | $44.75/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:
- Completion of a college program in computer science, computer programming or network administration is usually required.
- College or other courses in computer programming or network administration are usually required.
- Certification or training provided by software vendors may be required by some employers.
Official Job Titles for NOC 22221
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:
- Computer network and web technicians (See 22220 Computer network and web technicians)View NOC 22220→
- Computer systems developers and programmers (See 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers)View NOC 21230→
- Cybersecurity specialists (See 21220 Cybersecurity specialists)View NOC 21220→
- Information systems testing technicians (See 22222 Information systems testing technicians)View NOC 22222→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 22221 (User support technicians)
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 22221, explore your TEER 2 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.