National Occupational Classification, TEER 3
NOC 53110: Photographers
Photographers operate still cameras to photograph people, events, scenes, materials, products and other subjects. Below are the main duties, all 24 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 53110?
NOC 53110 is the code for photographers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include aerial photographer, commercial photographer, forensic photographer and industrial photographer. It is a TEER 3 occupation (usually a college diploma, an apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training), 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 $24.04 an hour.
- NOC code
- 53110
- TEER
- 3: College diploma, apprenticeship under 2 years or 6+ months of training
- Broad category
- Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport
- Express Entry
- Skilled (TEER 0 to 3)
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $24.04 an hour
Job titles under NOC 53110
Photographers operate still cameras to photograph people, events, scenes, materials, products and other subjects. They are employed by photographic studios, newspapers, magazines, museums and government, or they may be self-employed.
Main job titles
- aerial photographer
- commercial photographer
- forensic photographer
- industrial photographer
- photographer
- portrait photographer
- scientific photographer
All 24 job titles in the NOC index
aerial photographer, chief photographer, commercial photographer, evidence photographer - forensic, fashion photographer, finish photographer, forensic photographer, industrial photographer, medical photographer, multimedia photographer, multimedia picture illustrator, news photographer, photographer, photography supervisor, photojournalist, photomicrographer, police photographer, portrait photographer, racetrack finish photographer, retoucher - photography, scientific photographer, still photographer, street photographer, wildlife photographer.
Also included in this group
- multimedia picture illustrator
- photojournalist
- police photographer
Main duties of NOC 53110
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Study requirements of a particular assignment and decide on type of camera, film, lighting and background accessories to be used
- Determine picture composition, make technical adjustments to equipment and photograph subject
- May operate scanners to transfer photographic images to computers
- May operate computers to manipulate photographic images
- May adapt existing photographic images and create new digitized images to be included in multimedia/new media products
- May use delicate instruments, such as optical microscopes attached to cameras
- May process exposed film
- May use airbrush, computer or other techniques to retouch negatives
- Medical photographers may work closely with medical illustrators.
- Photographers may specialize in areas such as portrait photography, commercial photography, scientific photography, forensic photography, medical photography, digitized photography, multimedia photography or photojournalism.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in visual arts with specialization in photography or Completion of specialized training in photography in high school, college or specialized training schools or Extensive on-the-job training under the supervision of a photographer is required.
- Experience in, or knowledge of computerized photography or digital imaging may be required.
- Creative and technical ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required.
Is NOC 53110 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes for the programs that need skilled work: TEER 3 is in the TEER 0 to 3 range IRCC accepts.
| Program or draw | NOC 53110 |
|---|---|
| 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 53110 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 | $17.50 | $24.04 | $48.63 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.16 | $22.66 | $27.46 |
| Nova Scotia | $17.70 | $25.12 | $33.51 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $18.64 | $32.30 |
| Quebec | $18.00 | $24.00 | $36.85 |
| Ontario | $17.60 | $21.00 | $50.00 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $22.06 | $29.14 |
| Saskatchewan | $17.23 | $21.08 | $27.94 |
| Alberta | $15.24 | $22.88 | $31.62 |
| British Columbia | $18.00 | $21.00 | $31.25 |
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 53110 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 53110 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 aerial photographer?
NOC 53110, Photographers, a TEER 3 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 53110?
TEER 3. Usually a college diploma, an apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 53110 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes. As a TEER 3 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 53110 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 53110 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $24.04 an hour, with most wages between $17.50 and $48.63. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 53110 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.