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NOC 53124: Artisans and craftspersons

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

Artisans and craftspersons use manual and artistic skills to design and make ornamental objects, pottery, stained glass, jewellery, rugs, blankets, other handicrafts and artistic floral arrangements. Makers of musical instruments are also included in this unit group. Most craftspersons are self-employed. Artistic floral arrangers are usually employed in florist shops and floral departments of retail establishments, or may be self-employed. Craft instructors are also included in this unit group and are employed by artisan guilds, colleges, private studios and recreational organizations.

Median Pay$20/hrPrevailing median rate
TEER LevelLevel 3Express Entry pool
Priority StreamGeneral StreamCategory draws
Official Titles107 TitlesGovernment aliases
Interactive Reference Letter Tool

Official Main Duties for NOC 53124

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.

107 official aliases
Checklist (18 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 11 More
0%
0 of 18 selected
0%60% Recommended100%
Below 60% Target (0%)To qualify for NOC 53124, your employer letter should verify at least 11 main duties. Select 11 more to see if your experience matches.
Minimum Needed11 Duties
Current StatusIncomplete

Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 53124

Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Artisans and craftspersons 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 53124.

Former NOC 52444-Digit Legacy
Artisans and craftspersons
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)$15.6$20/hr$28
New Brunswick โ†’$15.65/hr$15.91/hr$21.87/hr
Quebec โ†’$17/hr$20.75/hr$28/hr
Ontario โ†’$17.6/hr$21/hr$27.5/hr
Alberta โ†’$16.5/hr$20/hr$33/hr
British Columbia โ†’$18/hr$23/hr$33/hr

๐Ÿ™๏ธTop Metropolitan Cities Wage Rates (ESDC 2025/2026)

Economic Region Benchmarks

Official ESDC prevailing median wages across major Canadian metropolitan regions. Crucial for LMIA prevailing wage compliance and local job offer evaluations.

Toronto
$21/hr
$17.6 - $28
Edmonton
$20/hr
$16.5 - $33
Vancouver
$23/hr
$17.85 - $32

Employment Requirements

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

  • Skills are often learned through apprenticeship with a master craftsperson.
  • Training programs are offered by artisan guilds, colleges and private studios.
  • Creative ability and talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, and knowledge of safe handling of material, tools and equipment are required.
  • A college diploma in fine craft techniques may be required.

Official Job Titles for NOC 53124

107 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:

artistic floral arrangercarvercraft instructor (except education)craftspersonglass blowerlace weaver - arts and craftsleather workermetal arts workerpotterscreen printing artisansilversmithstained glass artiststringed instrument makertotem pole carverweaver - arts and craftsAboriginal art carverAboriginal craftwork instructorartificial flower presserartisanartistic bouquet designerartistic floral bouquet designerartistic floral designerarts and crafts teacher (except education)bag maker - arts and craftsbalalaika makerbasket weaverbatik artisanbellows makercanoe builder - arts and craftscanoe repairer - arts and craftscello makerceramic artistceramic potterceramics teacher (except education)ceramistcopperplate engraver - artisancraft weavercraftsman/womancustom furniture canerdecorative engraverdrum maker - artisanenameller - arts and craftsenamellist - arts and craftsfabric artisanfabric artistfloral arrangements designerfloral designerglass engraverglass novelty makerglass paintergoldsmithguitar makerhand artificial flower makerhand beadworkerhand bookbinderhand candle makerhand case makerhand crocheterhand dollmakerhand embroidererhand enamellerhand engraverhand glassworkerhand jewellery artisanhand knitterhand leather workerhand metalworkerhand needleworkerhand papermakerhand quilterhand rug makerhand silk flower makerhand spinnerhand stone carverhand weaverhand woodenware carverhand woodworkerharpsichord builderjewellery engravermachine engraver - arts and craftsmandolin makermaster glass blowermaster glassmakermetal engravermusical instrument maker - artisannameplate engraverNative art carverNative craftwork instructorpanflute makerpantograph engraver - arts and craftspipe organ builderpoker-work artisanpyrographerreproduction woodcarverrughookerscientific glass apparatus blowersilverware engraverstained glass designerstained glass paintersteel engraver - arts and craftstepee makertie-dye artisantole painterviolin makerweaving instructor (except education)woodcarverwreath maker

Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)

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

  • Cabinetmakers (See 72311 Cabinetmakers)View NOC 72311โ†’
  • Jewellers, jewellery and watch repairers and related occupations (See 62202 Jewellers, jewellery and watch repairers and related occupations)View NOC 62202โ†’
  • Painters, sculptors and other visual artists (See 53122 Painters, sculptors and other visual artists)View NOC 53122โ†’
  • Weavers, knitters and other fabric making occupations (See 94131 Weavers, knitters and other fabric making occupations)View NOC 94131โ†’

Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 53124 (Artisans and craftspersons)

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

Yes. Because NOC 53124 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 $20/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, Artisans and craftspersons was categorized under NOC 5244 (Artisans and craftspersons). In NOC 2021, it transitioned to NOC 53124 under TEER 3.
According to official ESDC Job Bank benchmarks, the prevailing median rate for NOC 53124 is $21/hr in Toronto, $20/hr in Edmonton, $23/hr in Vancouver.
Next Steps for NOC 53124

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Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 53124, explore your TEER 3 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.

Last verified: September 2026