NOC 52121: Interior designers and interior decorators
Interior designers and interior decorators conceptualize and produce aesthetic, functional and safe designs for interior spaces in residential, commercial, cultural, institutional and industrial buildings. They are employed by architectural and interior design firms, retail establishments, construction companies, hospitals, airlines, hotel and restaurant chains, and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.
Official Main Duties for NOC 52121
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 52121
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Interior designers and interior decorators 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 52121.
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) | $18.35 | $28.85/hr | $48.72 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $18.97/hr | $24.58/hr | $37.9/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $19.06/hr | $25.4/hr | $40.89/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $18.31/hr | $25.36/hr | $31.62/hr |
| Quebec → | $21/hr | $27.56/hr | $40.87/hr |
| Ontario → | $17.6/hr | $27.4/hr | $50/hr |
| Manitoba → | $19.5/hr | $29.45/hr | $42.05/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $15.35/hr | $25.95/hr | $40/hr |
| Alberta → | $21/hr | $29.5/hr | $42.88/hr |
| British Columbia → | $20/hr | $31.25/hr | $64.18/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:
- Interior designers
- A university degree or college diploma in interior design is usually required.
- The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination may be required after six years of combined study and experience.
- Certification by a provincial institute or association is required to use protected titles related to interior designers in all provinces except Prince Edward Island.
- Interior decorators
- A college certificate or diploma in interior decoration is usually required.
- Membership in the Canadian Decorators' Association is available to qualified decorators.
Official Job Titles for NOC 52121
27 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:
- Graphic designers and illustrators (See 52120 Graphic designers and illustrators)View NOC 52120→
- Industrial designers (See 22211 Industrial designers)View NOC 22211→
- Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) (See 73112 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators))View NOC 73112→
- Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers (See 53123 Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers)View NOC 53123→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 52121 (Interior designers and interior decorators)
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 52121, explore your TEER 2 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.