National Occupational Classification, TEER 1
NOC 51122: Musicians and singers
Musicians and singers perform with orchestras, choirs, opera companies and popular bands in establishments such as concert halls, lounges and theatres and in film, television and recording studios. Below are the main duties, all 64 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 51122?
NOC 51122 is the code for musicians and singers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include accompanist, church organist, guitar player and instrumentalist. 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 $32,867 a year.
- NOC code
- 51122
- 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
- $32,867 a year
Job titles under NOC 51122
Musicians and singers perform with orchestras, choirs, opera companies and popular bands in establishments such as concert halls, lounges and theatres and in film, television and recording studios. This unit group also includes music teachers who usually teach in conservatories, academies and private homes.
Main job titles
- accompanist
- church organist
- guitar player
- instrumentalist
- music teacher - musicians
- musician
- opera singer
- percussionist
- recording artist
- rock singer
- singer
- vocalist
All 64 job titles in the NOC index
accompanist, accordion teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons, alto, back-up musician, baritone, bass, bass drum teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons, bass player, bassoon teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons, blues singer, bugler, carillonneur, cellist, cello teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons, chorister, church organist, concert singer, cornetist, drummer, flutist, folk singer, gospel singer, guitar player, harpist, horn player, horn teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons, instrumental music teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons, instrumental musician, instrumentalist, keyboardist, lied singer, mezzo-soprano, music teacher - musicians, music teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons, musical interpreter, musician, opera singer, organ teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons, organist, percussionist, pianist, piano teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons, pop singer, recital singer, recording artist, rehearsal musician, rock singer, session musician, singer, soloist, soprano, street musician, tenor, trombonist, trumpeter, tuba player, viola teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons, violin teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons, violinist, vocal music teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons, vocal soloist, vocalist, voice teacher - music, voice teacher - private, conservatory or studio lessons.
Main duties of NOC 51122
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Musicians
- Play one or more instruments as soloists or as members of a musical group before audiences or for recording purposes.
Singers
- Sing musical arrangements as soloists or as members of vocal groups before audiences or for recording purposes.
- Teachers of music or voice
- Teach technique, interpretation and music theory to students through private or group lessons.
- Musicians and singers usually specialize in specific genres of music such as classical, country, ethnic, jazz, opera or popular music.
Employment requirements
- Musical training from a university or college or through private instruction is usually required.
- Members of orchestras and other professional classical musicians and singers usually require a university degree in music.
- Musical talent and ability, as demonstrated during an audition, are important hiring criteria.
- Membership in a guild or union related to the occupation or type of performance may be required.
Is NOC 51122 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 51122 |
|---|---|
| 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 51122 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 | $32,867 | $74,500 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Not published | $34,229 | Not published |
| Nova Scotia | Not published | $35,128 | Not published |
| New Brunswick | Not published | $34,000 | Not published |
| Quebec | $33,109 | $33,109 | $88,000 |
| Ontario | $37,561 | $37,561 | $63,200 |
| Manitoba | Not published | $38,800 | Not published |
| Saskatchewan | Not published | $34,747 | Not published |
| Alberta | $32,867 | $32,867 | $82,000 |
| British Columbia | $37,929 | $37,929 | $76,000 |
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 51122 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 51122 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 accompanist?
NOC 51122, Musicians and singers, a TEER 1 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 51122?
TEER 1. Usually a university degree. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 51122 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 51122 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 51122 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $32,867 a year, with most wages between $32,867 and $74,500. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 51122 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.