NOC 41221: Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
Elementary school and kindergarten teachers teach basic subjects such as reading, writing and arithmetic or specialized subjects such as English or French as a second language at public and private elementary schools.
Official Main Duties for NOC 41221
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 41221
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Elementary school and kindergarten teachers 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 41221.
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) | $26.67 | $43.27/hr | $56.59 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $31.25/hr | $46.15/hr | $70/hr |
| Prince Edward Island → | $27.14/hr | $40/hr | $49.34/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $20.77/hr | $40.38/hr | $51.79/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $26.67/hr | $37.98/hr | $46.15/hr |
| Quebec → | $27/hr | $44.23/hr | $55.3/hr |
| Ontario → | $27.5/hr | $46.15/hr | $58.79/hr |
| Manitoba → | $26.44/hr | $42.69/hr | $57.69/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $25.96/hr | $40.38/hr | $57.69/hr |
| Alberta → | $24.62/hr | $38.46/hr | $52.75/hr |
| British Columbia → | $28.85/hr | $43.27/hr | $57.69/hr |
| Yukon → | $46.15/hr | $54.87/hr | $62.82/hr |
| Northwest Territories → | $34.62/hr | $61.06/hr | $74.36/hr |
| Nunavut → | $30/hr | $50/hr | $63.08/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 education is required.
- A bachelor's degree in child development may be required.
- Additional training is required to specialize in special education or second language instruction.
- A provincial teaching certificate is required. Additional certification is required to teach English or French as a second language.
- Membership in a provincial or territorial teachers' association or federation is usually required.
Official Job Titles for NOC 41221
38 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:
- Early childhood educators and assistants (See 42202 Early childhood educators and assistants)View NOC 42202→
- Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (See 43100 Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants)View NOC 43100→
- Elementary school librarian (See 52100 Library and public archive technicians)View NOC 52100→
- Psychoeducator (See 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies)View NOC 41301→
- School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education (See 40021 School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education)View NOC 40021→
- Secondary school teachers (See 41220 Secondary school teachers)View NOC 41220→
- Teacher of persons with developmental disabilities (See 42203 Instructors of persons with disabilities)View NOC 42203→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 41221 (Elementary school and kindergarten teachers)
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 41221, explore your TEER 1 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.