National Occupational Classification, TEER 5
NOC 85104: Trappers and hunters
Trappers and hunters trap and hunt wild animals for pelts or live sale. Below are the main duties, all 11 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 85104?
NOC 85104 is the code for trappers and hunters in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include fur trapper, game trapper, hunter and sealer. 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 $23.23 an hour.
- NOC code
- 85104
- TEER
- 5: Short work demonstration, no formal education
- Broad category
- Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations
- Express Entry
- Not skilled
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $23.23 an hour
Job titles under NOC 85104
Trappers and hunters trap and hunt wild animals for pelts or live sale. They are usually self-employed and work on a seasonal basis.
Main job titles
- fur trapper
- game trapper
- hunter
- sealer
- trapper
All 11 job titles in the NOC index
beaver trapper, fur trapper, game trapper, hunter, land-based seal hunter, land-based sealer, muskrat trapper, seal hunter - hunting and trapping, sealer, sealer - hunting and trapping, trapper.
Main duties of NOC 85104
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Set traps with bait and position traps along trails
- Operate boats or snowmobiles or travel on foot, snowshoes or skis to patrol trapline or to reach hunting areas
- Pursue animals by observing and recognizing tracks, trails, animal droppings or broken foliage
- Remove catch and reset traps and snares
- Kill and skin catch for pelts, and treat and pack pelts for marketing or for transport to public auctions
- Kill wild animals using firearms or other weapons
- Trap live animals for sale to buyers or for relocation purposes
- Maintain and repair trapping and hunting equipment
- Maintain trails and access to trapping lines or hunting regions
- Trap designated animals for bounty or other control programs
- May train dogs for hunting
- May monitor animal population in the trapping or hunting regions to ensure future sustainability.
Employment requirements
- Completion of trapping or hunting courses may be required in some provinces.
- A provincial trapping or hunting licence is required.
Additional information
- In some jurisdictions, trappers may be allocated trapping areas based on their experience.
- Trappers and hunters may specialize in trapping or hunting a particular kind of animal.
Is NOC 85104 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 85104 |
|---|---|
| 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 85104 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 | $16.12 | $23.23 | $35.85 |
| Quebec | $18.21 | $22.33 | $27.69 |
| Ontario | $17.87 | $20.96 | $28.52 |
| Manitoba | $24.09 | $29.60 | $36.34 |
| British Columbia | $19.18 | $25.22 | $27.78 |
Source: Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025), data from 2024 (Small Area Estimation). 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 85104 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 85104 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.
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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 fur trapper?
NOC 85104, Trappers and hunters, a TEER 5 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 85104?
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 85104 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 85104 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 85104 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $23.23 an hour, with most wages between $16.12 and $35.85. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 85104 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.