National Occupational Classification, TEER 5
NOC 65202: Meat cutters and fishmongers - retail and wholesale
Meat cutters and fishmongers prepare and package pieces of meat, poultry and fish that are sold by food retailers or wholesalers. Below are the main duties, all 9 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 65202?
NOC 65202 is the code for meat cutters and fishmongers - retail and wholesale in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include fishmonger, fishmonger - retail, meat cutter - retail or wholesale and supermarket meat cutter. 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 $19.50 an hour.
- NOC code
- 65202
- TEER
- 5: Short work demonstration, no formal education
- Broad category
- Sales and service occupations
- Express Entry
- Not skilled
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $19.50 an hour
Job titles under NOC 65202
Meat cutters and fishmongers prepare and package pieces of meat, poultry and fish that are sold by food retailers or wholesalers. They use tools to cut, trim and package meat, poultry and fish on a daily basis. They are employed in grocery stores, fish stores, or they may be self-employed.
Main job titles
- fishmonger
- fishmonger - retail
- meat cutter - retail or wholesale
- supermarket meat cutter
All 9 job titles in the NOC index
butcher helper - retail and wholesale, fish cutter - retail or wholesale, fishmonger, fishmonger - retail, meat cutter - retail or wholesale, meat portion cutter - retail or wholesale, pork cutter - retail or wholesale, retail meat cutter, supermarket meat cutter.
Main duties of NOC 65202
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Grind meats and slice cooked meats using powered grinders and slicing machines
- Cut, weigh, package, label and price meat, meat products, fish and seafood for sale
- Suggest complementary and/or alternative meat or fish products to consumers
- Inspect the quality of meat, fish and seafood, expiry dates and ensure proper product rotation
- Ensure the maintenance of equipment, displays and work area
- Receive and store merchandise in accordance with the company's established standards
- Comply with government health and safety standards and occupational health and safety standards.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school may be required.
- On-the-job training in food stores is usually offered to meat cutters and fishmongers for retail sale.
- An apprenticeship program in meat cutting is available but voluntary.
- Trade certification for meat cutter is available, but voluntary, in Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
Is NOC 65202 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 65202 |
|---|---|
| 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 65202 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 | $15.50 | $19.50 | $28.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $17.00 | $21.50 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $17.00 | $21.50 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $17.00 | $21.50 |
| Quebec | $16.16 | $17.17 | $21.08 |
| Ontario | $17.60 | $17.60 | $26.00 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $17.00 | $22.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | $18.00 | $29.00 |
| Alberta | $16.00 | $20.50 | $27.00 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | $23.00 | $31.50 |
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 65202 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 65202 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 fishmonger?
NOC 65202, Meat cutters and fishmongers - retail and wholesale, a TEER 5 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 65202?
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 65202 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 65202 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 65202 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $19.50 an hour, with most wages between $15.50 and $28.00. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 65202 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.