National Occupational Classification, TEER 2
NOC 52111: Graphic arts technicians
Graphic arts technicians assist in conceptualizing a project, interpreting design specifications or sketches, preparing the page make-up, lay-out and lettering, and preparing production materials for press, electronic or multimedia publishing. Below are the main duties, all 52 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 52111?
NOC 52111 is the code for graphic arts technicians in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include animated cartoon technician, animation painter, computer graphics technician and graphics technician. It is a TEER 2 occupation (usually a college diploma, an apprenticeship of 2 or more years, or a supervisory role), 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 $34.96 an hour.
- NOC code
- 52111
- TEER
- 2: College diploma or apprenticeship of 2+ years
- Broad category
- Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport
- Express Entry
- Skilled (TEER 0 to 3)
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $34.96 an hour
Job titles under NOC 52111
Graphic arts technicians assist in conceptualizing a project, interpreting design specifications or sketches, preparing the page make-up, lay-out and lettering, and preparing production materials for press, electronic or multimedia publishing. They are employed by publishing, communications, advertising, marketing, printing and multimedia establishments, and by television and film production companies. They may also be self-employed.
Main job titles
- animated cartoon technician
- animation painter
- computer graphics technician
- graphics technician
- multimedia graphic design technician
All 52 job titles in the NOC index
airbrush artist, animated cartoon inker, animated cartoon painter, animated cartoon technician, animated cartoons inker and painter, animation camera operator, animation inker, animation painter, apprentice sign painter, art work assembler, cartoon background artist, compositor - animation, compositor - film, computer graphics design technician, computer graphics operator, computer graphics technician, design assistant - advertising production, digital graphic design technician, graphic arts assembler, graphic arts copy stylist, graphic arts renderer, graphic arts technician, graphics technician, hand painter - graphic arts, lettering artist, mannequin artist, multimedia graphic design technician, multimedia graphics technician, paste-up artist, photo editor, photo process letterer - graphic arts, photo stencil maker, photograph retoucher, photographic airbrush artist, photographic colourist, photography colourist, poster layout designer, poster painter, rendering specialist, screen stencil cutter - graphic arts, sign layout detailer, sign painter, sign writer, silkscreen stencil cutter, silkscreen technician, stencil marker, stencil marker - graphic arts, traffic sign painter, video game artist, vinyl lettering artist, visual effects (VFX) artist, visual effects artist.
Also included in this group
- animation camera operator
- poster painter
Main duties of NOC 52111
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Review the graphic designer's instructions
- Produce or assist in developing and producing design concepts
- Capture elements such as titles, text, drawings, illustrations, graphics, lettering and colour harmonization, using a computer
- Produce computerized images and drawings
- Digitize images using peripherals and transform them using retouching systems, graphic palettes or specialized software
- Perform the layout, page make-up and placement using the conceptual mock-ups provided
- Produce proofs and camera-ready materials and prepare film and any other prepress materials
- Paint or ink individual cells of 2-D or 3-D animated drawings according to animator's specifications using an electronic palette
- Lay out, draw or paint letters, figures, logos and designs for windows, advertisements, billboards, vehicles, books and publications using specialized software or painting equipment
- Work in an interdisciplinary environment.
Employment requirements
- A college diploma in commercial or graphic arts, computer graphics or animated design is required.
- Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required.
- Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required.
Additional information
- Progression to graphic designer positions is possible with experience or supplementary training.
Is NOC 52111 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes for the programs that need skilled work: TEER 2 is in the TEER 0 to 3 range IRCC accepts.
| Program or draw | NOC 52111 |
|---|---|
| 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 52111 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 | $20.75 | $34.96 | $67.31 |
| Nova Scotia | $20.64 | $27.80 | $36.73 |
| New Brunswick | $22.21 | $29.15 | $46.22 |
| Quebec | $20.00 | $28.60 | $48.08 |
| Ontario | $21.09 | $34.63 | $56.70 |
| Manitoba | $18.21 | $25.87 | $56.92 |
| Saskatchewan | $19.67 | $26.96 | $36.63 |
| Alberta | $21.41 | $32.66 | $48.59 |
| British Columbia | $26.86 | $46.39 | $66.95 |
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 52111 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 52111 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 animated cartoon technician?
NOC 52111, Graphic arts technicians, a TEER 2 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 52111?
TEER 2. Usually a college diploma, an apprenticeship of 2 or more years, or a supervisory role. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 52111 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes. As a TEER 2 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 52111 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 52111 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $34.96 an hour, with most wages between $20.75 and $67.31. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 52111 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.