National Occupational Classification, TEER 3
NOC 53111: Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators
Assistants and operators in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts perform duties related to these fields. Below are the main duties, all 59 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 53111?
NOC 53111 is the code for motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include boom grip, camera crane operator, dresser - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts and lighting assistant. 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 $26.80 an hour.
- NOC code
- 53111
- 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
- $26.80 an hour
Job titles under NOC 53111
Assistants and operators in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts perform duties related to these fields. They are employed by television and radio stations and networks, recording studios, motion picture and video production companies and by theatre and stage companies.
Main job titles
- boom grip
- camera crane operator
- dresser - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- lighting assistant
- production assistant
- prompter
- props person
- script assistant
- set builder
- special effects assistant
- spotlight operator
- stagehand
All 59 job titles in the NOC index
artistic rigger, audiovisual (AV) assistant, audiovisual (AV) assistant - motion pictures and broadcasting, best boy, boom grip, boom microphone operator, boom operator, camera crane operator, circus rigger, continuity person - motion pictures and broadcasting, dolly operator - motion pictures and broadcasting, dolly pusher - motion pictures and broadcasting, dresser - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts, duplicate-film examiner - motion pictures and broadcasting, entertainment stage rigger, film projectionist, film quality inspector, fireworks handler, flyman/woman, focus puller, grip, lighting assistant, motion picture examiner, motion picture projectionist, movie theatre projectionist, production assistant, production assistant - motion pictures and broadcasting, projectionist, prompter, property person, props handler, props person, recording assistant - recording studio, rigger - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts, scene shifter, scenic artist - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts, scenic constructor, scenic constructor - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts, scenic painter - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts, script assistant, script person - motion pictures and broadcasting, searchlight operator, second costumes assistant, set builder, set dresser, special effects assistant, spotlight operator, stage best boy, stage production worker, stage property person, stagehand, staging assistant, technical assistant - audiovisual, telecine operator, teleprompt operator, theatre high rigger, wardrobe assistant, wardrobe attendant, wig assistant - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts.
Also included in this group
- motion picture projectionist
- projectionist
Main duties of NOC 53111
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Camera crane operators
- Set up, assemble, adjust, maintain and replace reels and projector equipment; detect and repair mechanical and electrical problems; and change and install an electronic control panel using automated equipment.
Motion picture projectionists
- Check the condition of the copy; set up and load film reels on movie theatre projection systems, adjust focus, sound levels and other projector and theatre settings; and maintain projection equipment.
Props persons and set builders
- Assemble, repair, place, build and oversee props.
Script assistants
- Distribute scripts to actors; keep detailed notes of all actions, positions and camera angles; and photograph and date scenes.
Grips and riggers
- Rig, place, move and dismantle sets, backdrops, scenery and other stage equipment.
Dressers
- Clean, maintain, transport and store costumes, and assist performers to dress in costumes.
Production assistants
- Provide support to the director and producer, and are responsible for various aspects of production such as preparing schedules, setting up equipment, and making travel arrangements to various shooting locations.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Most occupations in this unit group require completion of college courses in broadcasting, theatre arts or a related field or A period of on-the-job training.
- Certification for projectionists is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick. In Quebec, projectionists are regulated under operators of electrical machines, cinema equipment.
- Projectionists are required to be licensed by their province of employment.
Additional information
- There may be an overlap in duties among occupations in this unit group, depending on the size of the production or broadcasting studio.
- Progression to related technical occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting or the performing arts is possible with additional training or experience.
Is NOC 53111 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 53111 |
|---|---|
| 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 53111 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 | $18.00 | $26.80 | $40.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.25 | $25.31 | $35.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $17.00 | $25.48 | $36.87 |
| New Brunswick | $15.85 | $23.00 | $37.47 |
| Quebec | $20.00 | $28.00 | $40.00 |
| Ontario | $18.00 | $24.00 | $38.00 |
| Manitoba | $16.35 | $25.00 | $35.62 |
| Alberta | $17.87 | $29.00 | $40.03 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | $30.00 | $41.94 |
Source: Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025), data from 2023-2024 (Employment Insurance Survey Data). 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 53111 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 53111 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 boom grip?
NOC 53111, Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators, a TEER 3 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 53111?
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 53111 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 53111 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 53111 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $26.80 an hour, with most wages between $18.00 and $40.00. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 53111 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.