National Occupational Classification, TEER 1
NOC 51121: Conductors, composers and arrangers
Conductors, composers and arrangers conduct bands and orchestras, compose musical works and arrange instrumental and vocal compositions. Below are the main duties, all 34 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 51121?
NOC 51121 is the code for conductors, composers and arrangers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include arranger, bandmaster, choir director and composer. 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 $36,000 a year.
- NOC code
- 51121
- 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
- $36,000 a year
Job titles under NOC 51121
Conductors, composers and arrangers conduct bands and orchestras, compose musical works and arrange instrumental and vocal compositions. They are employed by symphony and chamber orchestras, bands, choirs, sound recording companies, and orchestras for ballet and opera performances, or they may be self-employed.
Main job titles
- arranger
- bandmaster
- choir director
- composer
- conductor
- music adapter
- orchestrator
- singer-songwriter-composer
- songwriter
All 34 job titles in the NOC index
arranger, artistic director - music, author-composer-performer, band conductor, band director, bandmaster, chansonnier, choir director, choir leader, choirmaster, choral conductor, choral director, chorus master, composer, conductor, copyist - music, lyricist, maestro, motion picture musical director, music adapter, music arranger, music copyist, music director, music writer, musical director, orchestra artistic director, orchestral conductor, orchestrator, orchestrator-arranger, singer-songwriter-composer, songwriter, stage musical director, television musical director, writer-composer-performer.
Also included in this group
- artistic director - music
- lyricist
- musical director
Main duties of NOC 51121
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Conductors
- Select and interpret musical works and lead bands, orchestras and choirs during rehearsals and performances.
Composers
- Create musical compositions such as television and film scores, theme music, songs, symphonies and music for interactive products such as video games.
Arrangers
- Adapt and modify musical compositions to convey desired themes and to suit particular instrumental and vocal performances.
- Conductors, composers and arrangers usually specialize in a particular genre of music such as classical, country, jazz or popular music.
Employment requirements
- A university degree in music or completion of a program at a music academy, conservatory or school of music is usually required.
- A period of specialized study related to conducting, composing or arranging is usually required.
- Experience as a musician is required.
- Musical and creative talent and ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are important hiring criteria.
Additional information
- Composers often work as arrangers.
Is NOC 51121 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 51121 |
|---|---|
| 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 51121 pay?
Job Bank wages for this occupation, per year. 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 | $32,867 | $36,000 | $101,000 |
| Quebec | $33,109 | $33,109 | $89,000 |
| Ontario | $37,561 | $39,600 | $117,000 |
| Alberta | Not published | $32,867 | Not published |
| British Columbia | Not published | $44,800 | Not published |
Source: Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025), data from 2021 (2021 Census). 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 51121 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 51121 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.
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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 arranger?
NOC 51121, Conductors, composers and arrangers, a TEER 1 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 51121?
TEER 1. Usually a university degree. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 51121 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 51121 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 51121 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $36,000 a year, with most wages between $32,867 and $101,000. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 51121 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.