NOC 85121: Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers
Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers perform work to assist in the construction of landscapes and related structures, and to maintain lawns, gardens, athletic fields, golf courses, cemeteries, parks, landscaped interiors and other landscaped areas. They are employed by landscaping and lawn care companies, golf courses, cemeteries, and landscaping operations of public works departments and private establishments.
Official Main Duties for NOC 85121
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 85121
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers is categorized under TEER 5. Occupations in this tier typically require secondary school graduation or job-specific on-the-job training.
Express Entry Alignment
Classified under TEER 5, meaning this occupation does not qualify for direct Express Entry general pools. Candidates should focus on employer-driven Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) or federal pilot pathways.
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 85121.
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) | $17 | $20.75/hr | $28 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $16/hr | $18/hr | $25/hr |
| Prince Edward Island → | $16.5/hr | $19/hr | $23.36/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $16.5/hr | $18.83/hr | $24/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $15.65/hr | $18.5/hr | $23/hr |
| Quebec → | $17.36/hr | $21.89/hr | $28.5/hr |
| Ontario → | $17.6/hr | $20.96/hr | $27.41/hr |
| Manitoba → | $16/hr | $18.39/hr | $24.2/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $15.5/hr | $20/hr | $27/hr |
| Alberta → | $17/hr | $21/hr | $29.47/hr |
| British Columbia → | $18/hr | $22.5/hr | $30.85/hr |
| Yukon → | $25/hr | $30.31/hr | $33.26/hr |
| Northwest Territories → | $18/hr | $25/hr | $33.94/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:
- Some secondary school education may be required.
- A provincial licence to apply chemical fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides may be required.
Official Job Titles for NOC 85121
40 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:
- Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists (See 22114 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists)View NOC 22114→
- Nursery and greenhouse labourers (See 85103 Nursery and greenhouse labourers)View NOC 85103→
- Other trades helpers and labourers (See 75119 Other trades helpers and labourers)View NOC 75119→
- Public works and maintenance labourers (See 75212 Public works and maintenance labourers)View NOC 75212→
- Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers (See 74205 Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers)View NOC 74205→
- Residential and commercial installers and servicers (See 73200 Residential and commercial installers and servicers)View NOC 73200→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 85121 (Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers)
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 85121, explore your TEER 5 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.