National Occupational Classification, TEER 5
NOC 65201: Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
Food counter attendants and food preparers prepare, heat and finish cooking simple food items and serve customers at food counters. Below are the main duties, all 69 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 65201?
NOC 65201 is the code for food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include bartender helper, bus boy/girl, cafeteria counter attendant and cook's helper. It is a TEER 5 occupation (usually a short work demonstration and no formal education), so it does not count as skilled work for Express Entry. The Job Bank median wage across Canada is $16.55 an hour.
- NOC code
- 65201
- TEER
- 5: Short work demonstration, no formal education
- Broad category
- Sales and service occupations
- Express Entry
- Not skilled
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $16.55 an hour
Job titles under NOC 65201
Food counter attendants and food preparers prepare, heat and finish cooking simple food items and serve customers at food counters. Kitchen helpers, food service helpers and dishwashers clear tables, clean kitchen areas, wash dishes, and perform various other activities to assist workers who prepare or serve food and beverages. They are employed by restaurants, cafés, hotels, fast food outlets, cafeterias, hospitals and other establishments.
Main job titles
- bartender helper
- bus boy/girl
- cafeteria counter attendant
- cook's helper
- dishwasher
- fast-food preparer
- food counter attendant
- food preparer
- food service helper
- ice cream counter attendant
- kitchen helper
- salad bar attendant
- sandwich maker
All 69 job titles in the NOC index
airline food assembler, bar helper, barista, bartender helper, bus boy/girl, cafeteria counter attendant, cafeteria helper, cafeteria worker, cafeteria-buffet attendant, camp cook's helper, camp lunchroom attendant, caterer helper, cook's helper, counterperson - food services, dessert maker, dessert preparer, dietary aide, dining room assistant, dining room attendant, dishwasher, dishwashing machine attendant, donut shop attendant, donut shop clerk, donut shop counter clerk, doughnut shop attendant, doughnut shop clerk, doughnut shop counter clerk, drive-in food service attendant, expediter - food services, fast-food preparer, fast-food service attendant, fish and chips preparer, food and beverage service runner assistant, food and beverage services attendant, food assembler - fast food, food concession worker, food counter attendant, food preparer, food runner, food service attendant, food service counter attendant, food service helper, food service worker, hospital meal attendant, hospital tray carrier, hot dog vendor, ice cream counter attendant, ice cream vendor, kitchen helper, logging camp cook's helper, lunchroom counter attendant, lunchroom counterman/woman, popcorn vendor, pot washer, restaurant counter attendant, salad and sandwich maker, salad bar attendant, salad maker, sandwich artist, sandwich maker, sandwich, salad and dessert maker, silverware cleaner, snack bar attendant, steam table attendant - food services, steward - Canadian Armed Forces, street food vendor, sushi preparer, take-out attendant - fast food, tray carrier attendant - hospital.
Main duties of NOC 65201
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Food counter attendants and food preparers
- Take customers' orders
- Clean, peel, slice and trim foodstuffs using manual and electric appliances
- Use deep fryer, grill, oven, dispensers and other equipment to prepare fast food items such as sandwiches, hamburgers, fries, salads, ice cream dishes, milkshakes and other beverages
- Portion, assemble, and wrap food or place it directly on plates for service to patrons, and package take-out food
- Use equipment to prepare hot beverages such as coffee and tea specialties
- Serve customers at counters or buffet tables
- Stock refrigerators and salad bars and keep records of the quantities of food used
- May receive payment for food items purchased.
Kitchen helpers
- Wash and peel vegetables and fruit
- Wash work tables, cupboards and appliances
- Remove trash and clean kitchen garbage containers
- Unpack and store supplies in refrigerators, cupboards and other storage areas
- Sweep and mop floors, and perform other duties to assist cook and kitchen staff.
Food service helpers
- Clear and clean tables and trays in eating establishments
- Bring clean dishes, flatware and other items to serving areas and set tables
- Replenish condiments and other supplies at tables and in serving areas
- Remove dishes before and after courses
- Perform other duties such as scraping and stacking dishes, carrying linen to and from laundry area and running errands.
Dishwashers
- Wash dishes, glassware, flatware, pots and pans using dishwasher or by hand
- Place dishes in storage area
- Scour pots and pans, and may clean and polish silverware.
Employment requirements
- Some secondary school education is usually required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
Additional information
- There is considerable mobility among jobs in this unit group.
- Movement into other occupations within food preparation and service, such as cook or waiter, is possible with further training and experience.
Is NOC 65201 eligible for Express Entry?
Not for the main Express Entry programs, which need TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 work. TEER 5 jobs can still lead to permanent residence through some provincial and other programs, so check each program's own list.
| Program or draw | NOC 65201 |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | Does not count (TEER 5) |
| Canadian Experience Class | Does not count (TEER 5) |
| 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 65201 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 | $15.00 | $16.55 | $21.50 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $16.00 | $22.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $16.50 | $16.50 | $20.98 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $16.50 | $18.77 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $15.65 | $21.00 |
| Quebec | $16.10 | $16.50 | $21.75 |
| Ontario | $17.60 | $17.60 | $21.00 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $16.00 | $18.50 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | $15.35 | $20.19 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | $16.00 | $20.00 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | $17.85 | $23.00 |
| Yukon | $17.94 | $20.00 | $31.50 |
| Northwest Territories | $16.70 | $20.00 | $32.00 |
| Nunavut | $19.00 | $25.90 | $30.00 |
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 65201 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 65201 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.
- See a Canadian resume example for this job.
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 kitchen helper?
NOC 65201, Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations, a TEER 5 occupation.
What TEER is NOC 65201?
TEER 5. Usually a short work demonstration and no formal education. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 65201 eligible for Express Entry?
Not for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Trades Program, which need TEER 0 to 3 work. Some provincial nominee programs and other pathways accept TEER 5 jobs.
Is NOC 65201 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 65201 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $16.55 an hour, with most wages between $15.00 and $21.50. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 65201 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.