NOC 31111: Optometrists
Optometrists examine eyes to assess and diagnose ocular diseases and disorders. They prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses and recommend treatments such as exercises to correct vision problems or ocular disorders. They work in private practice, hospitals, clinics, community health centres, rehabilitation centres, the optical industry, government and universities.
Official Main Duties for NOC 31111
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 31111
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Optometrists 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
Designated under IRCC's Healthcare Priority Stream →. Candidates with 6 months of qualifying Canadian or foreign experience in this NOC can receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) at significantly lower CRS cutoff thresholds.
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 31111.
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) | $32867 | $81000/yr | $162000 |
| Nova Scotia → | — | $85000/yr | — |
| Quebec → | $33109/yr | $97000/yr | $178000/yr |
| Ontario → | $37561/yr | $78000/yr | $156000/yr |
| Manitoba → | — | $119000/yr | — |
| Saskatchewan → | — | $68500/yr | — |
| Alberta → | $32867/yr | $84000/yr | $178000/yr |
| British Columbia → | $37929/yr | $69500/yr | $145000/yr |
🏙️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:
- Three years of university undergraduate studies or, in Quebec, completion of a college program in sciences and a four- to five-year university program in optometry are required.
- Licensing by the provincial or territorial regulatory governing body is required.
Official Job Titles for NOC 31111
2 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:
- Ocularist (See 32129 Other medical technologists and technicians)View NOC 32129→
- Ophthalmologist (See 31101 Specialists in surgery)View NOC 31101→
- Opticians (See 32100 Opticians)View NOC 32100→
- Optometric technician (See 33109 Other assisting occupations in support of health services)View NOC 33109→
- Optometrist assistant (See 33109 Other assisting occupations in support of health services)View NOC 33109→
- Orthoptist (See 31303 Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals)View NOC 31303→
- Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (See 31209 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating)View NOC 31209→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 31111 (Optometrists)
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 31111, explore your TEER 1 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.