NOC 33100: Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
Dental assistants assist dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists during the examination and treatment of patients and perform clerical functions. Dental laboratory assistants assist dental technologists and technicians in preparing and fabricating dentures and other dental devices. Dental assistants work in dentists' offices, community health centres, clinics and in educational institutions. Dental laboratory assistants are employed in dental laboratories.
Official Main Duties for NOC 33100
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 33100
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants is categorized under TEER 3. 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 33100.
3223 continues as 32112 and part transferred to 33100
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) | $21 | $27/hr | $35 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $18/hr | $22/hr | $30/hr |
| Prince Edward Island → | $18.92/hr | $24/hr | $26/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $20/hr | $25/hr | $32/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $22/hr | $25/hr | $30/hr |
| Quebec → | $21/hr | $26/hr | $30.16/hr |
| Ontario → | $20/hr | $26/hr | $34/hr |
| Manitoba → | $22/hr | $26.5/hr | $33.76/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $22/hr | $30/hr | $37/hr |
| Alberta → | $24/hr | $32/hr | $38/hr |
| British Columbia → | $24/hr | $31/hr | $36/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:
- Dental assistants require completion of an eight-month to one-year college or other program in dental assistance or completion of secondary school with on-the-job training
- Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces except Quebec and Ontario.
- Certification by the National Dental Assisting Examination Board is required to perform intra-oral duties in all provinces except in Quebec, where intra-oral duties are not performed by dental assistants.
- Dental laboratory assistants usually require secondary school and up to two years of on-the-job training.
Official Job Titles for NOC 33100
27 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:
- Dental hygienists and dental therapists (See 32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists)View NOC 32111→
- Dental technologists and technicians (See 32112 Dental technologists and technicians)View NOC 32112→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 33100 (Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants)
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 33100, explore your TEER 3 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.