National Occupational Classification, TEER 1
NOC 51111: Authors and writers (except technical)
Authors and writers plan, research and write books, scripts, storyboards, plays, essays, speeches and other non-journalistic articles for publication or presentation. Below are the main duties, all 44 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 51111?
NOC 51111 is the code for authors and writers (except technical) in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include advertising copywriter, copywriter, essayist and interactive media writer. 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. The Job Bank median wage across Canada is $36.81 an hour.
- NOC code
- 51111
- TEER
- 1: University degree
- Broad category
- Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport
- Express Entry
- Skilled (TEER 0 to 3)
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $36.81 an hour
Job titles under NOC 51111
Authors and writers plan, research and write books, scripts, storyboards, plays, essays, speeches and other non-journalistic articles for publication or presentation. They are employed by advertising agencies, governments, large corporations, private consulting firms, publishing firms, multimedia/new-media companies and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.
Main job titles
- advertising copywriter
- copywriter
- essayist
- interactive media writer
- literary writer
- novelist
- playwright
- poet
- script writer
- speech writer
- writer
All 44 job titles in the NOC index
ad writer, advertising copywriter, advertising writer, author, biographer, blogger, content creator - writing, content writer (except technical), copywriter, crossword puzzle maker, designer and script writer, dialogue writer, dubbing dialogue writer, essayist, feature writer, fiction writer, ghost writer, humorist-author, interactive media writer, lexicographer, literary writer, multimedia author, multimedia script writer, multimedia writer, new media writer, novelist, playwright, poet, publicity writer, radio writer, rewriter, screen writer, script and dialogue writer, script writer, serial story writer, serial writer, short story writer, speech writer, sports writer - novels and books, storyboarder, teleplay writer - screenwriter, television writer, Web content specialist, writer.
Main duties of NOC 51111
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Novelists, playwrights, script writers, poets and other creative writers
- Conceive and write novels, plays, scripts, poetry and other material for publication or presentation
- May conduct research to establish factual content and to obtain other necessary information.
Content writers (non-technical)
- Write e-copy, blog posts, e-books, podcasts and other forms of Web-based content
- Conduct research on a variety of topics to inform writing and may consult with clients to determine the goals of the writing.
Copywriters
- Study and determine selling features of products and services and write text for advertisements and commercials.
- Authors and writers may specialize in a particular subject or type of writing.
Employment requirements
- Copywriters usually require a university degree or college diploma in French, English, marketing, advertising or another discipline.
- Creative writing programs are offered by universities and colleges.
- Talent and ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are important hiring criteria.
- Membership in a guild or union related to the occupation may be required.
Is NOC 51111 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 51111 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Occupation category draws (2026) | Not on any occupation 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 51111 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 | $25.48 | $36.81 | $53.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $22.23 | $31.96 | $46.74 |
| Nova Scotia | $25.00 | $33.00 | $40.00 |
| New Brunswick | $21.00 | $32.63 | $45.67 |
| Quebec | $26.92 | $36.00 | $53.00 |
| Ontario | $25.82 | $40.38 | $53.00 |
| Manitoba | $22.12 | $32.34 | $39.40 |
| Saskatchewan | $21.04 | $34.37 | $48.01 |
| Alberta | $20.00 | $38.56 | $55.00 |
| British Columbia | $20.75 | $36.44 | $68.75 |
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 51111 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 51111 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 advertising copywriter?
NOC 51111, Authors and writers (except technical), a TEER 1 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 51111?
TEER 1. Usually a university degree. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 51111 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 51111 in an Express Entry category-based draw?
No. It is not on any 2026 occupation list. The French-language proficiency category is open to any occupation if you reach NCLC 7 in French. See every category.
How much does NOC 51111 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $36.81 an hour, with most wages between $25.48 and $53.00. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 51111 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.