NOC 73112: Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
Painters and decorators apply paint, wallpaper and other finishes to interior and exterior surfaces of buildings and other structures. They are employed by construction companies, painting contractors and building maintenance contractors, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Official Main Duties for NOC 73112
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 73112
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) 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
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 73112.
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 | $28/hr | $40.99 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $18/hr | $25/hr | $38/hr |
| Prince Edward Island → | $18.5/hr | $22/hr | $26/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $18/hr | $23/hr | $33.24/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $18/hr | $22/hr | $29.12/hr |
| Quebec → | $24/hr | $34.98/hr | $41.83/hr |
| Ontario → | $20/hr | $25/hr | $34.8/hr |
| Manitoba → | $17/hr | $24/hr | $30/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $18/hr | $23/hr | $30/hr |
| Alberta → | $20/hr | $26/hr | $34.82/hr |
| British Columbia → | $21/hr | $28/hr | $35/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:
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or Over three years of work experience in the trade is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Trade certification for painters and decorators is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified painters and decorators upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Official Job Titles for NOC 73112
24 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:
- Automotive painter - motor vehicle repair (See 72411 Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators)View NOC 72411→
- Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators (See 94213 Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators)View NOC 94213→
- Interior decorator (See 52121 Interior designers and interior decorators)View NOC 52121→
- Painters and decorators supervisor (See 72014 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers)View NOC 72014→
- Painters, sculptors and other visual artists (See 53122 Painters, sculptors and other visual artists)View NOC 53122→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 73112 (Painters and decorators (except 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 73112, explore your TEER 3 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.