National Occupational Classification, TEER 3
NOC 83121: Fishermen/women
Fishermen/women operate fishing vessels less than 100 gross tonnes to pursue and land fish and other marine life. Below are the main duties, all 34 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 83121?
NOC 83121 is the code for fishermen/women in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include fisherman/woman, fishing vessel skipper, inshore fisherman/woman and lobster fisherman/woman. 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 $27.77 an hour.
- NOC code
- 83121
- TEER
- 3: College diploma, apprenticeship under 2 years or 6+ months of training
- Broad category
- Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations
- Express Entry
- Skilled (TEER 0 to 3)
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $27.77 an hour
Job titles under NOC 83121
Fishermen/women operate fishing vessels less than 100 gross tonnes to pursue and land fish and other marine life. They are usually self-employed owner-operators of fishing vessels.
Main job titles
- fisherman/woman
- fishing vessel skipper
- inshore fisherman/woman
- lobster fisherman/woman
- longliner fisherman/woman
- seiner fisherman/woman
All 34 job titles in the NOC index
beam trawl fisherman/woman, clam dredge operator, clam fisherman/woman, crab fisherman/woman, Danish seine fisherman/woman, fisherman/woman, fishing vessel skipper, gill net fisherman/woman, gillnetter skipper, handliner fisherman/woman, harpoon fisherman/woman, hoop net fisherman/woman, inshore fisherman/woman, line fisherman/woman, lobster fisherman/woman, longline fisherman/woman, longliner fisherman/woman, otter trawl fisherman/woman, pot fisherman/woman, pound net fisherman/woman, prawn fisherman/woman, purse seine fisherman/woman, scallop dredger, seaweed dragger, seaweed harvesting machine operator, seiner fisherman/woman, shellfish fisherman/woman, shellfish harvester operator, shore fisherman/woman, swordfish fisherman/woman, trap boss - fishing, trap fisherman/woman, troller fisherman/woman, weir fisherman/woman.
Also included in this group
- seaweed dragger
- shellfish harvester operator
Main duties of NOC 83121
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Operate fishing vessel to pursue and catch fish and other marine life
- Select area for fishing, plot courses and compute navigational positions using compasses and charts or electronic fishing aids
- Steer vessel and operate navigational instruments
- Operate fishing gear, direct fishing operation and supervise fishing crew members
- Maintain engine, fishing gear and other on-board equipment
- Record fishing activities, weather and sea conditions
- Estimate costs of operations and plan budget for each fishing season
- Establish fish marketing plan and keep records of all financial transactions
- May transport fish to processing plants or fish buyers.
Employment requirements
- Several years of experience as fishing vessel crew member or helper are usually required.
- Marine Emergency Duties Certificate is required by Transport Canada.
- A valid Fishing Vessel Operator Certificate is required.
- A commercial fishing licence is required.
- Licences are required for each species of fish pursued.
- Trade certification for fish harvesters is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Additional information
- Progression to master or mate on fishing vessels over 100 gross tonnes is possible with additional training, licensing and experience.
Is NOC 83121 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 83121 |
|---|---|
| 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 | A listed skilled 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 83121 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 | $18.10 | $27.77 | $60.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00 | $40.00 | $100.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $17.50 | $25.00 | $45.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $19.77 | $30.00 | $60.00 |
| New Brunswick | $17.14 | $22.00 | $50.00 |
| Quebec | $17.50 | $22.88 | $33.60 |
| Manitoba | $20.00 | $30.00 | $100.00 |
| British Columbia | $20.00 | $38.84 | $50.00 |
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 83121 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 83121 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 fisherman/woman?
NOC 83121, Fishermen/women, a TEER 3 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 83121?
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 83121 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, and it is also a listed Federal Skilled Trades occupation. You still have to meet every other requirement, and your duties must match the NOC description.
Is NOC 83121 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 83121 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $27.77 an hour, with most wages between $18.10 and $60.00. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 83121 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.