Conductors, composers and arrangers
Occupation · NOC 2021 51121 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 51121
- TEER
- 1
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 36
- Median wage, Canada
- C$36,000 per year
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 34
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About this occupation
Conductors, composers and arrangers conduct bands and orchestras, compose musical works and arrange instrumental and vocal compositions. They are employed by symphony and chamber orchestras, bands, choirs, sound recording companies, and orchestras for ballet and opera performances, or they may be self-employed.
Example job titles
- arranger
- bandmaster
- choir director
- composer
- conductor
- music adapter
- orchestrator
- singer-songwriter-composer
- songwriter
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Conductors
- Select and interpret musical works and lead bands, orchestras and choirs during rehearsals and performances.
- Composers
- Create musical compositions such as television and film scores, theme music, songs, symphonies and music for interactive products such as video games.
- Arrangers
- Adapt and modify musical compositions to convey desired themes and to suit particular instrumental and vocal performances.
- Conductors, composers and arrangers usually specialize in a particular genre of music such as classical, country, jazz or popular music.
Employment requirements
- A university degree in music or completion of a program at a music academy, conservatory or school of music is usually required.
- A period of specialized study related to conducting, composing or arranging is usually required.
- Experience as a musician is required.
- Musical and creative talent and ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are important hiring criteria.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 5 |
- Canadian Opera Company5
- C5 Bar Ranch4
- Mirvish Productions3
- Stage 49 Ltd.3
- Calgary Exhibition & Stampede Ltd3
- C5 Rodeo Company Inc2
- Bedtracks Inc.2
- Life After Toronto LP2
- Romanian Church of God of Kitchener1
- Stratford Festival1
- CodeHatch Corp1
- Edmonton Northlands1
- Somang Christian Reformed Church1
- Vancouver Opera Association1
- Orchestre Symphonique De Montreal1
Work permits
Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).
| Year | TFWP permits | IMP permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 5 |
| 2015 | 5 | 0 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2017 | 5 |
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$32,867 | C$36,000 | C$101,000 |
| Alberta | — | C$32,867 | — |
| British Columbia | — | C$44,800 | — |
| Ontario | C$37,561 | C$39,600 | C$117,000 |
| Quebec | C$33,109 | C$33,109 | C$89,000 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 34
- Vacancies advertised
- 34
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$17.85
Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more