National Occupational Classification, TEER 1
NOC 31202: Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists assess clients and plan and carry out individually designed treatment programs to maintain, improve or restore physical functioning and mobility, alleviate pain and prevent physical dysfunction in clients. Below are the main duties, all 16 job titles it covers, what it means for Express Entry and what it pays in each province.
Updated
- Official NOC 2021 data
- Job Bank wages
What is NOC 31202?
NOC 31202 is the code for physiotherapists in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include physical therapist, physiotherapist, registered physiotherapist and research physiotherapist. It is a TEER 1 occupation (usually a university degree), so it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, and IRCC lists it for the healthcare and social services category draw. The Job Bank median wage across Canada is $46.15 an hour.
- NOC code
- 31202
- TEER
- 1: University degree
- Broad category
- Health occupations
- Express Entry
- Skilled (TEER 0 to 3)
- Category draws
- Healthcare and social services
- Median wage
- $46.15 an hour
Job titles under NOC 31202
Physiotherapists assess clients and plan and carry out individually designed treatment programs to maintain, improve or restore physical functioning and mobility, alleviate pain and prevent physical dysfunction in clients. They are employed in hospitals, clinics, industry, sports organizations, rehabilitation centres and extended care facilities, or may work in private practice.
Main job titles
- physical therapist
- physiotherapist
- registered physiotherapist
- research physiotherapist
All 16 job titles in the NOC index
clinical physical therapist, clinical physiotherapist, consultant physical therapist, consultant physiotherapist, physical therapist, physical therapy clinical coordinator, physical therapy clinical specialist, physical therapy supervisor, physiotherapist, physiotherapy clinical coordinator, physiotherapy officer - Canadian Armed Forces, physiotherapy supervisor, registered physical therapist, registered physiotherapist, research physical therapist, research physiotherapist.
Also included in this group
- physical therapy clinical coordinator
- physiotherapy clinical coordinator
Main duties of NOC 31202
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Assess clients' physical abilities using assessment procedures such as functional ability tests and make a physiotherapy diagnosis
- Establish treatment goals with clients based on diagnosis
- Develop and implement physiotherapy treatment plans including therapeutic exercise, manipulations, massage, education, electrotherapy hydrotherapy and other modalities
- Evaluate effectiveness of treatment plans and modify accordingly
- Provide advice on exercise and strategies to implement at home to enhance and or maintain treatment
- Communicate with referring physician and other health care professionals regarding clients' problems, needs and progress
- Maintain clinical and statistical records and confer with other health care professionals
- Develop and implement health promotion programs for clients, staff and the community
- May conduct research in physiotherapy
- Provide consulting or education services as required.
- Physiotherapists may focus their practice in particular clinical areas such as neurology, oncology, rheumatology, orthopedics, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics, in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary disorders, burns or sports injuries or in the field of ergonomics.
Employment requirements
- A master's degree in physiotherapy and a period of supervised practical training are required.
- A licence or registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.
- Completion of a physiotherapist competency examination is required in all provinces and territories.
Additional information
- Progression to management positions, such as director of physiotherapy, is possible through experience and additional training.
Is NOC 31202 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes for the programs that need skilled work: TEER 1 is in the TEER 0 to 3 range IRCC accepts.
| Program or draw | NOC 31202 |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | Counts as skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) |
| Canadian Experience Class | Counts as skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | Not a listed trade |
| Healthcare and social services occupations (category draw) | On the eligible list |
| French-language proficiency (category draw) | Open to any occupation with NCLC 7 in French |
Read how TEER categories work and the full list of NOC codes in each 2026 category draw. Category draws also need at least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in one listed occupation within the past 3 years.
How much does NOC 31202 pay?
Job Bank wages for this occupation, per hour. Low and high are, in most cases, the 10th and 90th percentiles, so 8 in 10 workers earn somewhere between them.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $30.00 | $46.15 | $56.21 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $38.75 | $45.67 | $54.09 |
| Prince Edward Island | $19.23 | $41.88 | $45.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $35.00 | $42.00 | $60.44 |
| New Brunswick | $36.00 | $42.31 | $49.04 |
| Quebec | $31.25 | $48.08 | $54.91 |
| Ontario | $25.64 | $46.00 | $54.00 |
| Manitoba | $28.33 | $39.93 | $57.69 |
| Saskatchewan | $37.60 | $46.00 | $53.33 |
| Alberta | $34.62 | $46.00 | $62.03 |
| British Columbia | $28.00 | $50.00 | $72.12 |
Source: Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025), data from 2023-2024 (Labour Force Survey). Wages for job offers in LMIA and provincial programs are compared with these figures, so check the current numbers on Job Bank before you rely on them.
Using NOC 31202 duties on your resume
Canadian resumes do not list NOC codes. Employers read your job titles, what you did and what came of it. The NOC duties are still a useful checklist: if you did these tasks, say so in your own words and add the numbers that prove it.
For Express Entry, the reference letter from your employer should describe the duties you really performed, in line with this lead statement and most of the main duties, without copying the NOC text word for word. The free reference letter generator checks your duties against NOC 31202 as you write.
- Start each bullet with a strong verb and end it with a result: how many, how often, how fast.
- Use the job title your employer used, even if the NOC title is different.
- Keep immigration details such as your NOC code and permit type off the resume.
Turn my duties into a resume Free to start, no card.
Where this information comes from
Occupation codes, titles and descriptions are adapted from Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
Wages come from Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Express Entry rules come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): the program pages for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the category-based selection page as modified on June 22, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for a physical therapist?
NOC 31202, Physiotherapists, a TEER 1 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 31202?
TEER 1. Usually a university degree. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 31202 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes. As a TEER 1 occupation it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. You still have to meet every other requirement, and your duties must match the NOC description.
Is NOC 31202 in an Express Entry category-based draw?
Yes. IRCC’s 2026 list puts it in the healthcare and social services category. You need at least 12 months of full-time work (or the same part-time) in it within the past 3 years.
How much does NOC 31202 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $46.15 an hour, with most wages between $30.00 and $56.21. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 31202 in NOC 2021 Version 1.0. This page shows the same text, from the open data Statistics Canada publishes.
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More on NOC codes and Canadian resumes
- NOC Code Finder: Describe your duties and get your NOC 2021 code, TEER and Express Entry eligibility. Free.
- NOC Codes Canada: Full List: All 516 NOC 2021 codes with their TEER, duties and wages.
- TEER Categories Explained: What TEER 0 to 5 means, which count for Express Entry, and every job in each one.
- Express Entry Category Draws: NOC Codes: Every NOC code on the 2026 healthcare, STEM, trades, education and other lists.
- Canadian Resume Examples by Job: Real examples for cashiers, caregivers, trades, tech, students and more.
- Newcomer Resume Guide: Turn international experience into a resume Canadian employers understand.