NOC 51122: Musicians and singers
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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) | $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 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:
- 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 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:
- 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.
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.