NOC 52111: Graphic arts technicians
Graphic arts technicians assist in conceptualizing a project, interpreting design specifications or sketches, preparing the page make-up, lay-out and lettering, and preparing production materials for press, electronic or multimedia publishing. They are employed by publishing, communications, advertising, marketing, printing and multimedia establishments, and by television and film production companies. They may also be self-employed.
Official Main Duties for NOC 52111
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 52111
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Graphic arts technicians 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 52111.
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) | $20.75 | $34.96/hr | $67.31 |
| Nova Scotia → | $20.64/hr | $27.8/hr | $36.73/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $22.21/hr | $29.15/hr | $46.22/hr |
| Quebec → | $20/hr | $28.6/hr | $48.08/hr |
| Ontario → | $21.09/hr | $34.63/hr | $56.7/hr |
| Manitoba → | $18.21/hr | $25.87/hr | $56.92/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $19.67/hr | $26.96/hr | $36.63/hr |
| Alberta → | $21.41/hr | $32.66/hr | $48.59/hr |
| British Columbia → | $26.86/hr | $46.39/hr | $66.95/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 college diploma in commercial or graphic arts, computer graphics or animated design is required.
- Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required.
- Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required.
Official Job Titles for NOC 52111
52 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:
- Camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations (See 94151 Camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations)View NOC 94151→
- Correspondence, publication and regulatory clerks (See 14301 Correspondence, publication and regulatory clerks)View NOC 14301→
- Desktop publishing (DTP) specialist (See 14112 Desktop publishing operators and related occupations)View NOC 14112→
- Graphic designers and illustrators (See 52120 Graphic designers and illustrators)View NOC 52120→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 52111 (Graphic arts technicians)
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 52111, explore your TEER 2 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.