National Occupational Classification, TEER 4
NOC 84120: Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
Specialized livestock workers carry out feeding, health and breeding programs on dairy, beef, sheep, poultry, swine and other livestock farms. Below are the main duties, all 52 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 84120?
NOC 84120 is the code for specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include artificial inseminator, cattle herdsperson, dairy herdsperson and farm machinery operator. It is a TEER 4 occupation (usually a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training), so it does not count as skilled work for Express Entry. The Job Bank median wage across Canada is $22.00 an hour.
- NOC code
- 84120
- TEER
- 4: High school or several weeks of training
- Broad category
- Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations
- Express Entry
- Not skilled
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $22.00 an hour
Job titles under NOC 84120
Specialized livestock workers carry out feeding, health and breeding programs on dairy, beef, sheep, poultry, swine and other livestock farms. Farm machinery operators operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment. They are employed on crop, livestock, fruit, vegetable and specialty farms.
Main job titles
- artificial inseminator
- cattle herdsperson
- dairy herdsperson
- farm machinery operator
- harvester machine operator
- horse trainer
- pork production technician
- swine herdsperson
All 52 job titles in the NOC index
apiary technician, artificial inseminator, baler - agriculture, baling machine operator - farm, beef cattle herdsperson, beekeeping technician, binder operator - agriculture, cattle herdsperson, chick sexer, combine operator, cowhand, cropsprayer machine operator, cultivator operator, custom combine operator, custom harvest crewperson, custom harvester, dairy herdsperson, dressage and stunt horse trainer, farm equipment operator, farm machinery custom operator, farm machinery operator, farrowing technician, grain custom harvester, harvester machine operator, hay baler operator - agriculture, herd attendant, herd superintendent, herder - stockyards, herdsman/woman, herdsperson, hop-picking machine operator, horse breaker, horse trainer, livestock attendant, livestock driver, livestock yard attendant, livestock yardman/woman, pasture rider, penrider, pork production technician, pork production technician apprentice, racehorse exerciser, racehorse trainer, sheep handler, sheep herdsperson, shepherd, stock attendant, swine herdsperson, swine technician, threshing machine operator, tobacco harvesting machine operator, tractor operator - farm.
Main duties of NOC 84120
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Specialized livestock workers
- Perform or assist in performing animal husbandry activities
- Implement pasture or pen breeding programs
- Develop and implement feeding programs
- Follow safety and bio-security procedures
- Detect and treat certain diseases and health problems in livestock
- Maintain livestock performance records
- Select livestock for sale
- Set and monitor water lines, air flow and temperature in barns, pens and chicken coops
- Train horses
- Maintain inventory and order materials as required
- May be responsible for the collection of semen and the insemination of donor females
- May supervise general farm labourers.
Farm machinery operators
- Operate farm equipment and machinery to till soil, plant, cultivate and harvest crops, and load and unload crops or containers of materials
- Perform equipment and machinery maintenance
- Monitor equipment and machinery operations to detect malfunctions
- Follow safety procedures
- May perform minor repairs to farm equipment and machinery.
Employment requirements
- Specialized livestock workers may require a college certificate or other specialized training in agriculture or livestock husbandry.
- There are no specific education or training requirements for farm machinery operators. However, a college certificate or specialized courses related to farming, such as farm equipment mechanics, agricultural welding and pesticide application, are available.
- Basic farm knowledge, usually obtained from working on a family farm, may be required for employment.
- A course or certificate in first aid may be required.
Additional information
- Specialized livestock workers usually specialize in one type of farm animal such as beef cattle, dairy cattle, poultry or swine.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Is NOC 84120 eligible for Express Entry?
Not for the main Express Entry programs, which need TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 work. TEER 4 jobs can still lead to permanent residence through some provincial and other programs, so check each program's own list.
| Program or draw | NOC 84120 |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | Does not count (TEER 4) |
| Canadian Experience Class | Does not count (TEER 4) |
| 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 84120 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 | $22.00 | $32.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $16.50 | $20.18 | $28.75 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $19.00 | $31.95 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $20.00 | $31.41 |
| Quebec | $16.10 | $21.00 | $30.00 |
| Ontario | $17.60 | $21.15 | $32.50 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $21.54 | $33.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $17.00 | $27.50 | $40.00 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | $25.00 | $32.00 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | $20.00 | $32.00 |
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 84120 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 84120 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 artificial inseminator?
NOC 84120, Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators, a TEER 4 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 84120?
TEER 4. Usually a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 84120 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 4 jobs.
Is NOC 84120 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 84120 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $22.00 an hour, with most wages between $15.00 and $32.00. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 84120 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.