National Occupational Classification, TEER 3
NOC 53122: Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
Painters, sculptors and other visual artists create original paintings, drawings, sculptures, engravings and other artistic works. Below are the main duties, all 43 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 53122?
NOC 53122 is the code for painters, sculptors and other visual artists in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include art teacher (except primary, secondary and post-secondary education), artist, artistic painter and portrait painter. 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 $29.57 an hour.
- NOC code
- 53122
- 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
- $29.57 an hour
Job titles under NOC 53122
Painters, sculptors and other visual artists create original paintings, drawings, sculptures, engravings and other artistic works. They are usually self-employed. This unit group also includes art instructors and teachers, who are usually employed by art schools.
Main job titles
- art teacher (except primary, secondary and post-secondary education)
- artist
- artistic painter
- portrait painter
- sculptor
- silkscreen artist
- watercolourist
All 43 job titles in the NOC index
animal art painter, animal art sculptor, art instructor, art instructor (except primary, secondary, post-secondary education), art teacher (except primary, secondary and post-secondary education), artist, artistic painter, artistic printmaker, charcoal artist, clay modeller, decorations painter - visual arts, etcher - visual arts, ice sculptor, ink sketcher, Inuit art sculptor, landscape painter, lithographic artist, maritime art painter, metal sculptor, monument sculptor, mural landscape artist, mural painter, oil painter, painter - visual arts, painting teacher, plastic arts artist, portrait painter, printmaker - visual arts, printmaking teacher, scenery painter, scenic painter - visual arts, sculptor, sculptor-modeller, sculpture teacher (except primary, secondary, post-secondary education), sculpturing teacher (except primary, secondary, post-secondary education), silhouette artist, silkscreen artist, video artist, visual arts artist, visual arts teacher (except primary, secondary, post-secondary education), watercolourist, wood block artist, wood sculptor.
Main duties of NOC 53122
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Painters
- Create drawings, paintings and other artwork using oils, pastels, watercolours, charcoal, ink and other media.
Sculptors
- Create sculptures, statues and other three-dimensional artwork by shaping, carving and working with materials such as clay, ice, paper, stone, wood or metal.
Art instructors and teachers
- Teach students the techniques and methods of drawing, painting, sculpting and other forms of artistic expression.
Employment requirements
- Creative ability and talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, and knowledge of the safe use of materials, tools and equipment are required. Art programs are offered at universities, colleges and private art schools.
- A college diploma in fine arts techniques may be required.
- Art instructors and teachers may be required to have a university degree or college diploma in a field related to art.
Is NOC 53122 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 53122 |
|---|---|
| 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 53122 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 | $18.75 | $29.57 | $45.09 |
| Quebec | $19.40 | $26.00 | $43.00 |
| Ontario | $18.24 | $25.71 | $43.15 |
| Alberta | $18.00 | $29.00 | $50.00 |
| British Columbia | $24.50 | $41.26 | $47.34 |
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 53122 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 53122 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 art teacher (except primary, secondary and post-secondary education)?
NOC 53122, Painters, sculptors and other visual artists, a TEER 3 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 53122?
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 53122 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 53122 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 53122 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $29.57 an hour, with most wages between $18.75 and $45.09. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 53122 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.