National Occupational Classification, TEER 2
NOC 52121: Interior designers and interior decorators
Interior designers and interior decorators conceptualize and produce aesthetic, functional and safe designs for interior spaces in residential, commercial, cultural, institutional and industrial buildings. Below are the main duties, all 27 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 52121?
NOC 52121 is the code for interior designers and interior decorators in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include aircraft interior designer, interior decorator, interior design technician and interior 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 $28.85 an hour.
- NOC code
- 52121
- 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
- $28.85 an hour
Job titles under NOC 52121
Interior designers and interior decorators conceptualize and produce aesthetic, functional and safe designs for interior spaces in residential, commercial, cultural, institutional and industrial buildings. They are employed by architectural and interior design firms, retail establishments, construction companies, hospitals, airlines, hotel and restaurant chains, and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.
Main job titles
- aircraft interior designer
- interior decorator
- interior design technician
- interior designer
- kitchen designer
- office space planner
- retail space planner
All 27 job titles in the NOC index
aircraft interior designer, building space planner, business aircraft interior designer, certified interior designer, colour consultant - home decorating, decorating consultant, designer - interior design, green design consultant - interior design, home decorating consultant, home decorator, home organizer, home stager, home staging consultant, interior decorating consultant, interior decorator, interior design consultant, interior design project manager, interior design technician, interior designer, interior designer assistant, interior space designer, kitchen designer, licensed interior designer, office space planner, registered interior designer, retail space planner, space management consultant.
Also included in this group
- home staging consultant
- space management consultant
Main duties of NOC 52121
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Consult with clients to determine needs, preferences, safety requirements and purpose of space
- Develop detailed plans and 3-D models showing arrangement of walls, dividers, displays, lighting and other fixtures using computer-assisted design (CAD) software and graphics software
- Develop plans, elevations, cross sections and detailed drawings, and advise on selection of colours, finishes and materials, floor and wall coverings, window treatments, interior and exterior lighting, furniture and other items, taking into account ergonomic and occupational health standards
- Estimate costs and materials required and may advise on leasing, real estate and marketing
- Prepare plans and specifications for the final interior designs in accordance with current practices and codes
- Work in a multidisciplinary environment
- May direct site work crews and subcontractors.
- Interior designers are experts in the area of interior architecture, construction materials and building codes. They may specialize in designing interiors for residential, commercial, institutional, cultural and industrial buildings and for aircraft, ships or trains, trade shows and exhibitions. Interior decorators may specialize in decorating residential or commercial interior spaces, home staging, colour consulting and home organizing.
Employment requirements
- Interior designers
- A university degree or college diploma in interior design is usually required.
- The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination may be required after six years of combined study and experience.
- Certification by a provincial institute or association is required to use protected titles related to interior designers in all provinces except Prince Edward Island.
- Interior decorators
- A college certificate or diploma in interior decoration is usually required.
- Membership in the Canadian Decorators' Association is available to qualified decorators.
Is NOC 52121 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 52121 |
|---|---|
| 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 52121 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 | $18.35 | $28.85 | $48.72 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $18.97 | $24.58 | $37.90 |
| Nova Scotia | $19.06 | $25.40 | $40.89 |
| New Brunswick | $18.31 | $25.36 | $31.62 |
| Quebec | $21.00 | $27.56 | $40.87 |
| Ontario | $17.60 | $27.40 | $50.00 |
| Manitoba | $19.50 | $29.45 | $42.05 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | $25.95 | $40.00 |
| Alberta | $21.00 | $29.50 | $42.88 |
| British Columbia | $20.00 | $31.25 | $64.18 |
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 52121 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 52121 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 aircraft interior designer?
NOC 52121, Interior designers and interior decorators, a TEER 2 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 52121?
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 52121 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 52121 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 52121 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $28.85 an hour, with most wages between $18.35 and $48.72. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 52121 in NOC 2021 Version 1.0. This page shows the same text, from the open data Statistics Canada publishes.
Your duties fit. Now show employers.
CVMaple turns the work you did into a Canadian resume: the right format, strong bullets and the keywords Canadian applicant tracking systems look for.
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.