National Occupational Classification, TEER 2
NOC 52120: Graphic designers and illustrators
Graphic designers conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for publications, advertising, films, packaging, posters, signs and interactive media such as Web sites and CDs. Below are the main duties, all 105 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 52120?
NOC 52120 is the code for graphic designers and illustrators in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include 3D animation artist, advertising designer, animator - animated films and bank note designer. 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 $31.25 an hour.
- NOC code
- 52120
- 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
- $31.25 an hour
Job titles under NOC 52120
Graphic designers conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for publications, advertising, films, packaging, posters, signs and interactive media such as Web sites and CDs. They are employed by advertising and graphic design firms, by establishments with advertising or communications departments and by multimedia production companies, or they may be self-employed. Graphic designers who are also supervisors, project managers or consultants are included in this unit group. Illustrators conceptualize and create illustrations to represent information through images. They are almost solely self-employed.
Main job titles
- 3D animation artist
- advertising designer
- animator - animated films
- bank note designer
- cartoonist
- commercial artist
- graphic artist
- graphic designer
- graphic designer - multimedia
- illustrator
- layout designer
- medical illustrator
- multimedia illustrator
- scientific illustrator
All 105 job titles in the NOC index
2D animation artist, 2D animator, 3D animation artist, 3D animator, 3D artist, 3D modeler, advertising art director, advertising art supervisor, advertising artist, advertising designer, advertising illustrator, advertising illustrator chief, advertising layout designer, animated cartoon artist, animated cartoon artist - visual arts, animated cartoon colourist, animation artist, animation layout designer, animator - animated films, art layout designer, artistic illustrator, assistant animator - animated films, background artist, bank note designer, biological illustrator, business forms designer, calligrapher, calligraphic artist, caricaturist, cartoon film artist, cartoonist, cartoonist sketch, catalogue illustrator, cell animator, character animator, colour artist - cartoons, colourist - cartoons, commercial artist, commercial design artist, commercial designer, communication designer, computer animator, computer graphics specialist, concept artist, content creator - graphic design, content director, content strategist, cover designer, cover page illustrator, cybergraphic designer, digital animator - artist, editorial cartoonist, fashion illustrator, flash designer, form layout designer, forms designer, game designer, graphic artist, graphic arts room supervisor, graphic design and illustration animator, graphic designer, graphic designer - multimedia, graphic designer - multimedia, interactive or new media, graphic designer and layout artist, illustrator, illustrator and graphic designer, interactive media designer, Internet graphic designer, layout artist, layout designer, level designer, litho artist, medical illustrator, motion graphic designer, multimedia design specialist, multimedia designer, multimedia illustrator, multimedia instructional designer and scriptor, multimedia products designer, multimedia products designer-ideaman/woman, new media graphics designer, newspaper illustrator, package designer, page designer, paper securities designer, pictographist, political caricaturist, political cartoonist, poster artist, registered graphic designer (RGD), scientific illustrator, sign designer, sports cartoonist, storyboard artist, technical animator, technical artist, texture artist, title artist, user experience designer, visual graphic designer, wallpaper colourist, wallpaper designer, Web designer - graphic design, Web graphic designer, Web page designer.
Main duties of NOC 52120
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Graphic designers
- Consult with clients to establish the overall look, graphic elements and content of communications materials in order to meet their needs
- Determine the medium best suited to produce the desired visual effect and the most appropriate vehicle for communication
- Develop the graphic elements that meet the clients' objectives
- Prepare sketches, layouts and graphic elements of the subjects to be rendered using traditional tools, multimedia software and image processing, layout and design software
- Estimate cost of materials and time to complete graphic design
- Use existing photo and illustration banks and typography guides or hire an illustrator or photographer to produce images that meet clients' communications needs
- Establish guidelines for illustrators or photographers
- Coordinate all aspects of production for print, audio-visual or electronic materials, such as Web sites, CDs and interactive terminals
- Coordinate sub-contracting
- Work in a multidisciplinary environment
- Supervise other graphic designers or graphic arts technicians.
Illustrators
- Consult with clients to determine the nature and content of illustrations in order to meet their communications needs
- Develop and produce realistic or representational sketches and final illustrations, by hand or using computer-assisted design (CAD) software, for printed materials such as books, magazines, packaging, greeting cards and stationery
- Assist in developing storyboards for electronic productions such as multimedia, interactive and digital products and television advertising and productions
- Produce 2-D and 3-D animated drawings or computer illustrations
- May adapt existing illustrations.
- Illustrators may specialize in a particular field such as illustrations for children, advertising, editorials, humour, or medical, scientific or technical illustration, or multimedia design.
Employment requirements
- A university degree in visual arts with specialization in graphic design, commercial art, graphic communications or cartooning or completion of a college diploma program in graphic arts is required.
- Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required.
- In addition to the arts, training in biology, engineering, architecture or a scientific field is usually required for medical, technical and scientific illustrators.
- Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required for graphic designers and illustrators.
Additional information
- Progression to management or senior design positions is possible with experience.
- The title "registered graphic designer" is recognized by law in Ontario.
Is NOC 52120 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 52120 |
|---|---|
| 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 52120 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 | $20.00 | $31.25 | $52.88 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $19.23 | $25.00 | $38.75 |
| Prince Edward Island | $19.37 | $26.39 | $34.05 |
| Nova Scotia | $21.15 | $28.85 | $45.64 |
| New Brunswick | $19.82 | $27.77 | $44.43 |
| Quebec | $20.00 | $30.00 | $51.28 |
| Ontario | $21.00 | $32.69 | $52.88 |
| Manitoba | $18.00 | $25.64 | $38.57 |
| Saskatchewan | $18.00 | $23.00 | $34.62 |
| Alberta | $18.00 | $26.30 | $45.19 |
| British Columbia | $24.04 | $35.00 | $57.69 |
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 52120 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 52120 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 graphic designer?
NOC 52120, Graphic designers and illustrators, a TEER 2 occupation.
What TEER is NOC 52120?
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 52120 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 52120 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 52120 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $31.25 an hour, with most wages between $20.00 and $52.88. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 52120 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.