NOC 52120: Graphic designers and illustrators
Graphic designers conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for publications, advertising, films, packaging, posters, signs and interactive media such as Web sites and CDs. They are employed by advertising and graphic design firms, by establishments with advertising or communications departments and by multimedia production companies, or they may be self-employed. Graphic designers who are also supervisors, project managers or consultants are included in this unit group. Illustrators conceptualize and create illustrations to represent information through images. They are almost solely self-employed.
Official Main Duties for NOC 52120
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 52120
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Graphic designers and illustrators 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 52120.
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 | $31.25/hr | $52.88 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $19.23/hr | $25/hr | $38.75/hr |
| Prince Edward Island → | $19.37/hr | $26.39/hr | $34.05/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $21.15/hr | $28.85/hr | $45.64/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $19.82/hr | $27.77/hr | $44.43/hr |
| Quebec → | $20/hr | $30/hr | $51.28/hr |
| Ontario → | $21/hr | $32.69/hr | $52.88/hr |
| Manitoba → | $18/hr | $25.64/hr | $38.57/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $18/hr | $23/hr | $34.62/hr |
| Alberta → | $18/hr | $26.3/hr | $45.19/hr |
| British Columbia → | $24.04/hr | $35/hr | $57.69/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 university degree in visual arts with specialization in graphic design, commercial art, graphic communications or cartooning or completion of a college diploma program in graphic arts is required.
- Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required.
- In addition to the arts, training in biology, engineering, architecture or a scientific field is usually required for medical, technical and scientific illustrators.
- Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required for graphic designers and illustrators.
Official Job Titles for NOC 52120
105 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:
- Advertising manager (See 10022 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers)View NOC 10022→
- Graphic arts technicians (See 52111 Graphic arts technicians)View NOC 52111→
- Interior designers and interior decorators (See 52121 Interior designers and interior decorators)View NOC 52121→
- Painters, sculptors and other visual artists (See 53122 Painters, sculptors and other visual artists)View NOC 53122→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 52120 (Graphic designers and illustrators)
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 52120, explore your TEER 2 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.