NOC 31203: Occupational therapists
Occupational therapists develop individual and group programs with people affected by illness, injury, developmental disorders, emotional or psychological problems and aging to maintain, restore or increase their ability to care for themselves and to engage in work, school or leisure. They also develop and implement health promotion programs with individuals, community groups and employers. They are employed in health care facilities, in schools, and by private and social services agencies, or they may be self-employed.
Official Main Duties for NOC 31203
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 31203
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Occupational therapists 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 31203.
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) | $36.17 | $46/hr | $55 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $37.6/hr | $45.7/hr | $51.39/hr |
| Prince Edward Island → | $36/hr | $39.46/hr | $47.56/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $33.28/hr | $42.8/hr | $49.74/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $38/hr | $45/hr | $50/hr |
| Quebec → | $37/hr | $46/hr | $55/hr |
| Ontario → | $33.33/hr | $45/hr | $55.9/hr |
| Manitoba → | $38/hr | $39.9/hr | $48.08/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $32/hr | $45/hr | $50/hr |
| Alberta → | $39/hr | $48.08/hr | $52.25/hr |
| British Columbia → | $30/hr | $50/hr | $66.91/hr |
| Northwest Territories → | — | $52.13/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 university degree in occupational therapy including supervised fieldwork is required.
- Completion of a national or provincial certification examination is required.
- Licensure with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.
- Membership in the national association, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, is required in some provinces.
- Occupational therapists may obtain expertise in a particular area through additional training or experience.
Official Job Titles for NOC 31203
12 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:
- Director of occupational therapy (See 30010 Managers in health care)View NOC 30010→
- Orientation and mobility instructor (See 42203 Instructors of persons with disabilities)View NOC 42203→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 31203 (Occupational therapists)
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 31203, explore your TEER 1 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.