National Occupational Classification, TEER 4
NOC 84121: Fishing vessel deckhands
Fishing vessel deckhands perform a variety of manual tasks on commercial fishing voyages, and maintain fishing vessels. Below are the main duties, all 13 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 84121?
NOC 84121 is the code for fishing vessel deckhands in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include fishing vessel crewman/woman, fishing vessel deckhand, fishing vessel icer and fishing vessel netmender. 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 $25.00 an hour.
- NOC code
- 84121
- 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
- $25.00 an hour
Job titles under NOC 84121
Fishing vessel deckhands perform a variety of manual tasks on commercial fishing voyages, and maintain fishing vessels. They are employed by establishments that operate commercial fishing vessels and by self-employed fishermen/women.
Main job titles
- fishing vessel crewman/woman
- fishing vessel deckhand
- fishing vessel icer
- fishing vessel netmender
- seiner deckhand
- trawlerman/woman
All 13 job titles in the NOC index
fishboat deckhand, fishing vessel checkerman/woman, fishing vessel crewman/woman, fishing vessel deckhand, fishing vessel icer, fishing vessel netmender, fishing vessel rollerman/woman, fishing vessel skiffman/woman, gillnetter deckhand, offshore trawler deckhand, seiner deckhand, shellfish harvester deckhand, trawlerman/woman.
Main duties of NOC 84121
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Prepare nets, lines and other fishing tackle, and operate fishing gear to catch fish and other marine life
- Sort, return protected species to the water, clean and pack fish in ice and stow catch in hold
- Repair nets, splice ropes and maintain fishing gear and other deck equipment
- Clean deck surfaces and fish hold
- Handle anchors and mooring lines during docking and undocking procedures
- May steer vessels to and from fishing areas
- May prepare and cook meals for crew members.
Employment requirements
- There are no specific educational requirements.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- Marine Emergency Duties certificate is required by Transport Canada.
- A deckhand training program may be required.
- Trawlermen/women require at least one year of experience.
- Fishing vessel deckhands require a commercial fishing licence.
Additional information
- Fishing vessel deckhands may become skippers upon acquiring an entry licence and a boat.
- Fishing vessel deckhands may progress to watchkeeper or mate positions with additional training.
Is NOC 84121 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 84121 |
|---|---|
| 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 84121 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 | $18.00 | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $18.50 | $23.00 | $30.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $17.56 | $25.00 | $39.13 |
| New Brunswick | $17.14 | $21.00 | $35.00 |
| Quebec | $18.00 | $21.00 | $30.00 |
| British Columbia | $20.00 | $35.00 | $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 84121 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 84121 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 fishing vessel crewman/woman?
NOC 84121, Fishing vessel deckhands, a TEER 4 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 84121?
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 84121 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 84121 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 84121 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $25.00 an hour, with most wages between $18.00 and $50.00. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 84121 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.