NOC 42101: Firefighters
Firefighters carry out firefighting and fire prevention activities, and assist in other emergencies. They are employed by municipal, provincial and federal governments and by large industrial establishments that have internal firefighting services. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Official Main Duties for NOC 42101
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 42101
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Firefighters is categorized under TEER 2. 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 42101.
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) | $29 | $45.79/hr | $61.4 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $25/hr | $43.67/hr | $54.95/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $21.9/hr | $37.98/hr | $47.12/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $25/hr | $40.35/hr | $50/hr |
| Quebec → | $20.83/hr | $40.17/hr | $50/hr |
| Ontario → | $32/hr | $48.53/hr | $64.58/hr |
| Manitoba → | $31.25/hr | $43.99/hr | $59/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $29.76/hr | $48.08/hr | $57.69/hr |
| Alberta → | $28.11/hr | $48.43/hr | $60.1/hr |
| British Columbia → | $36/hr | $50/hr | $62/hr |
| Yukon → | — | $56.49/hr | — |
| Northwest Territories → | — | $58.13/hr | — |
| Nunavut → | $27.9/hr | $48.97/hr | $77.47/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:
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a college program in fire protection technology, fire science or a related field and a period of supervised practical training is usually required.
- Firefighting and emergency medical care training courses are provided and vary in length depending on the requirements of different fire departments or services.
- Certification for firefighters is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- Experience as a volunteer firefighter may be an advantage.
- Physical agility, strength, fitness and vision requirements must be met.
- Several years of experience are required for senior firefighters, such as lieutenants and captains.
Official Job Titles for NOC 42101
18 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:
- Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers (See 40041 Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers)View NOC 40041→
- Forest firefighter (See 84111 Silviculture and forestry workers)View NOC 84111→
- Paramedic (See 32102 Paramedical occupations)View NOC 32102→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 42101 (Firefighters)
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 42101, explore your TEER 2 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.