NOC 41300: Social workers
Social workers help individuals, couples, families, groups, communities and organizations develop the skills and resources they need to enhance social functioning and provide counselling, therapy and referral to other supportive social services. Social workers also respond to other social needs and issues such as unemployment, racism and poverty. They are employed by hospitals, school boards, social service agencies, child welfare organizations, correctional facilities, community agencies, employee assistance programs and Aboriginal band councils, or they may work in private practice.
Official Main Duties for NOC 41300
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 41300
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Social workers 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 41300.
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) | $25 | $38.46/hr | $50.26 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $33.65/hr | $40.01/hr | $47/hr |
| Prince Edward Island → | $25.33/hr | $40/hr | $46.56/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $24/hr | $36.26/hr | $47.18/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $22.5/hr | $40/hr | $45.64/hr |
| Quebec → | $25/hr | $37/hr | $48.68/hr |
| Ontario → | $25/hr | $38.66/hr | $53.32/hr |
| Manitoba → | $27.47/hr | $35/hr | $49/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $27.08/hr | $38/hr | $46/hr |
| Alberta → | $23.97/hr | $39.6/hr | $51.24/hr |
| British Columbia → | $26.18/hr | $36.81/hr | $52/hr |
| Yukon → | $44.23/hr | $47.69/hr | $57.44/hr |
| Northwest Territories → | $38.88/hr | $56.76/hr | $77.56/hr |
| Nunavut → | $44.64/hr | $64.57/hr | $78.28/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 social work is required in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- In Alberta, a bachelor's degree or diploma in social work is required.
- Supervised practical experience is usually required.
- Successful completion of provincial written and oral examinations may be required.
- Registration with a provincial governing body is mandatory to practise as a social worker in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
- Use of the titles "Social Worker" and "Registered Social Worker" is regulated in all provinces.
- Membership in a provincial association of social workers is usually required.
Official Job Titles for NOC 41300
26 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:
- Educational counsellors (See 41320 Educational counsellors)View NOC 41320→
- Managers in social, community and correctional services (See 40030 Managers in social, community and correctional services)View NOC 40030→
- Social and community service workers (See 42201 Social and community service workers)View NOC 42201→
- Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (See 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies)View NOC 41301→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 41300 (Social workers)
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 41300, explore your TEER 1 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.