Skip to main content

NOC 51122: Musicians and singers

Official definition · Statistics Canada NOC 2021 v1.0 · statcan.gc.ca ↗

Musicians and singers perform with orchestras, choirs, opera companies and popular bands in establishments such as concert halls, lounges and theatres and in film, television and recording studios. This unit group also includes music teachers who usually teach in conservatories, academies and private homes.

Median Pay$32867/yrPrevailing median rate
TEER LevelLevel 1Express Entry pool
Priority StreamGeneral StreamCategory draws
Official Titles64 TitlesGovernment aliases
Interactive Reference Letter Tool

Official Main Duties for NOC 51122

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.

64 official aliases
Checklist (7 official duties):Click each to toggle
💡
IRCC Reference Letter Rule:

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.

Live Match Score⚠ Needs 5 More
0%
0 of 7 selected
0%60% Recommended100%
Below 60% Target (0%)To qualify for NOC 51122, your employer letter should verify at least 5 main duties. Select 5 more to see if your experience matches.
Minimum Needed5 Duties
Current StatusIncomplete

Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 51122

Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Musicians and singers 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

Open Full NOC Converter Tool

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 51122.

Former NOC 51334-Digit Legacy
Musicians and singers
VC1 - Code Change
Job Bank Open Data (2025/2026)

Regional Wages Across Canada

Legal Benchmark for LMIA

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 / TerritoryLow WageMedian WageHigh Wage
Canada (National Average)$32867$32867/yr$74500
Newfoundland and Labrador$34229/yr
Nova Scotia$35128/yr
New Brunswick$34000/yr
Quebec$33109/yr$33109/yr$88000/yr
Ontario$37561/yr$37561/yr$63200/yr
Manitoba$38800/yr
Saskatchewan$34747/yr
Alberta$32867/yr$32867/yr$82000/yr
British Columbia$37929/yr$37929/yr$76000/yr

🏙️Top Metropolitan Cities Wage Rates (ESDC 2025/2026)

Economic Region Benchmarks

Official ESDC prevailing median wages across major Canadian metropolitan regions. Crucial for LMIA prevailing wage compliance and local job offer evaluations.

Montréal
$40800/yr
Prevailing rate
Ottawa
$37561/yr
$37561 - $76500
Toronto
$37561/yr
$37561 - $64500
Calgary
$32867/yr
Prevailing rate
Edmonton
$32867/yr
Prevailing rate
Vancouver
$37929/yr
$37929 - $71000

Employment Requirements

These are the education, training, and certification standards usually required by Canadian employers for this occupation:

  • Musical training from a university or college or through private instruction is usually required.
  • Members of orchestras and other professional classical musicians and singers usually require a university degree in music.
  • Musical talent and ability, as demonstrated during an audition, are important hiring criteria.
  • Membership in a guild or union related to the occupation or type of performance may be required.

Official Job Titles for NOC 51122

64 Titles Listed

If your current job title matches any of these official examples, this NOC code is likely the right choice for your Express Entry reference letter:

accompanistchurch organistguitar playerinstrumentalistmusic teacher - musiciansmusicianopera singerpercussionistrecording artistrock singersingervocalistaccordion teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessonsaltoback-up musicianbaritonebassbass drum teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessonsbass playerbassoon teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessonsblues singerbuglercarillonneurcellistcello teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessonschoristerconcert singercornetistdrummerflutistfolk singergospel singerharpisthorn playerhorn teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessonsinstrumental music teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessonsinstrumental musiciankeyboardistlied singermezzo-sopranomusic teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessonsmusical interpreterorgan teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessonsorganistpianistpiano teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessonspop singerrecital singerrehearsal musiciansession musiciansoloistsopranostreet musiciantenortrombonisttrumpetertuba playerviola teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessonsviolin teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessonsviolinistvocal music teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessonsvocal soloistvoice teacher - musicvoice teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons

Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)

Check this list to make sure your actual job is not classified under one of these related codes:

  • Conductors, composers and arrangers (See 51121 Conductors, composers and arrangers)View NOC 51121
  • Music professor - university (See 41200 University professors and lecturers)View NOC 41200
  • Music teacher - elementary school (See 41221 Elementary school and kindergarten teachers)View NOC 41221
  • Music teacher - secondary school (See 41220 Secondary school teachers)View NOC 41220

Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 51122 (Musicians and singers)

Essential answers regarding Express Entry eligibility, LMIA prevailing wage compliance, and official reference letter rules.

Yes. Because NOC 51122 is classified as TEER 1, it qualifies for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry.
For an LMIA work permit, your employer must offer at least the median wage of $32867/yr (or the prevailing median rate in your specific Canadian province of employment).
Under Section 75(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), your employment reference letter must confirm you perform the actions in the lead statement and a substantial number (recommended at least 60%) of the official main duties listed above. You do not need to perform 100% of the duties.
Under Canada's previous NOC 2016 classification, Musicians and singers was categorized under NOC 5133 (Musicians and singers). In NOC 2021, it transitioned to NOC 51122 under TEER 1.
According to official ESDC Job Bank benchmarks, the prevailing median rate for NOC 51122 is $40800/yr in Montréal, $37561/yr in Ottawa, $37561/yr in Toronto, $32867/yr in Calgary, $32867/yr in Edmonton.
Next Steps for NOC 51122

Check Your Express Entry Score & Latest Cutoffs

Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 51122, explore your TEER 1 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.

Last verified: September 2026