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NOC 53111: Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators

Official definition ยท Statistics Canada NOC 2021 v1.0 ยท statcan.gc.ca โ†—

Assistants and operators in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts perform duties related to these fields. They are employed by television and radio stations and networks, recording studios, motion picture and video production companies and by theatre and stage companies.

Median Pay$26.8/hrPrevailing median rate
TEER LevelLevel 3Express Entry pool
Priority StreamGeneral StreamCategory draws
Official Titles59 TitlesGovernment aliases
Interactive Reference Letter Tool

Official Main Duties for NOC 53111

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.

59 official aliases
Checklist (14 official duties):Click each to toggle
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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 โ€” officers expect natural job descriptions with specific company context.

Live Match Scoreโš  Needs 9 More
0%
0 of 14 selected
0%60% Recommended100%
Below 60% Target (0%)To qualify for NOC 53111, your employer letter should verify at least 9 main duties. Select 9 more to see if your experience matches.
Minimum Needed9 Duties
Current StatusIncomplete

Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 53111

Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators is categorized under TEER 3. 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

Open Full NOC Converter Toolโ†’

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 53111.

Former NOC 52274-Digit Legacy
Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts
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)$18$26.8/hr$40
Newfoundland and Labrador โ†’$16.25/hr$25.31/hr$35/hr
Nova Scotia โ†’$17/hr$25.48/hr$36.87/hr
New Brunswick โ†’$15.85/hr$23/hr$37.47/hr
Quebec โ†’$20/hr$28/hr$40/hr
Ontario โ†’$18/hr$24/hr$38/hr
Manitoba โ†’$16.35/hr$25/hr$35.62/hr
Alberta โ†’$17.87/hr$29/hr$40.03/hr
British Columbia โ†’$17.85/hr$30/hr$41.94/hr

Employment Requirements

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

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Most occupations in this unit group require completion of college courses in broadcasting, theatre arts or a related field or A period of on-the-job training.
  • Certification for projectionists is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick. In Quebec, projectionists are regulated under operators of electrical machines, cinema equipment.
  • Projectionists are required to be licensed by their province of employment.

Official Job Titles for NOC 53111

59 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:

boom gripcamera crane operatordresser - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing artslighting assistantproduction assistantprompterprops personscript assistantset builderspecial effects assistantspotlight operatorstagehandartistic riggeraudiovisual (AV) assistantaudiovisual (AV) assistant - motion pictures and broadcastingbest boyboom microphone operatorboom operatorcircus riggercontinuity person - motion pictures and broadcastingdolly operator - motion pictures and broadcastingdolly pusher - motion pictures and broadcastingduplicate-film examiner - motion pictures and broadcastingentertainment stage riggerfilm projectionistfilm quality inspectorfireworks handlerflyman/womanfocus pullergripmotion picture examinermotion picture projectionistmovie theatre projectionistproduction assistant - motion pictures and broadcastingprojectionistproperty personprops handlerrecording assistant - recording studiorigger - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing artsscene shifterscenic artist - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing artsscenic constructorscenic constructor - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing artsscenic painter - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing artsscript person - motion pictures and broadcastingsearchlight operatorsecond costumes assistantset dresserstage best boystage production workerstage property personstaging assistanttechnical assistant - audiovisualtelecine operatorteleprompt operatortheatre high riggerwardrobe assistantwardrobe attendantwig assistant - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts

Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)

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

  • Audio and video recording technicians (See 52113 Audio and video recording technicians)View NOC 52113โ†’
  • Broadcast technicians (See 52112 Broadcast technicians)View NOC 52112โ†’
  • Film and video camera operators (See 52110 Film and video camera operators)View NOC 52110โ†’
  • Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts (See 52119 Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts)View NOC 52119โ†’

Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 53111 (Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators)

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

Yes. Because NOC 53111 is classified as TEER 3, 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 $26.8/hr (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, Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators was categorized under NOC 5227 (Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts). In NOC 2021, it transitioned to NOC 53111 under TEER 3.
Next Steps for NOC 53111

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Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 53111, explore your TEER 3 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.

Last verified: September 2026