Musicians and singers
Occupation · NOC 2021 51122 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 51122
- TEER
- 1
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 154
- Median wage, Canada
- C$32,867 per year
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 149
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About this occupation
Musicians and singers perform with orchestras, choirs, opera companies and popular bands in establishments such as concert halls, lounges and theatres and in film, television and recording studios. This unit group also includes music teachers who usually teach in conservatories, academies and private homes.
Example job titles
- accompanist
- church organist
- guitar player
- instrumentalist
- music teacher - musicians
- musician
- opera singer
- percussionist
- recording artist
- rock singer
- singer
- vocalist
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Musicians
- Play one or more instruments as soloists or as members of a musical group before audiences or for recording purposes.
- Singers
- Sing musical arrangements as soloists or as members of vocal groups before audiences or for recording purposes.
- Teachers of music or voice
- Teach technique, interpretation and music theory to students through private or group lessons.
- Musicians and singers usually specialize in specific genres of music such as classical, country, ethnic, jazz, opera or popular music.
Employment requirements
- Musical training from a university or college or through private instruction is usually required.
- Members of orchestras and other professional classical musicians and singers usually require a university degree in music.
- Musical talent and ability, as demonstrated during an audition, are important hiring criteria.
- Membership in a guild or union related to the occupation or type of performance may be required.
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 | 46 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
- Canadian Opera Company27
- Atelier Theatre Society22
- G2S Productions Inc.10
- Vancouver Opera Association10
- True Meaning Productions, Ltd.8
- Windermere Music Academy Inc5
- LES PRODUCTIONS GESTEV INC.4
- 2502977 Ontario Inc.4
- Harmony Music School Ltd3
- Brotherhood Pontion Panagia Soumela of Toronto2
- Mirvish Productions2
- OVO Sound, An Ontario General Partnership2
- Crown Bee Productions Ltd2
- SCA Oplenac2
- Mayfield Dinner Theatre2
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 20 |
| 2025 | 0 | 35 |
| 2024 | 0 | 30 |
| 2023 | 0 | 30 |
| 2022 | 0 | 25 |
| 2020 | 0 | 10 |
| 2019 | 0 | 45 |
| 2018 | 10 | 55 |
| 2017 | 0 | 55 |
| 2016 | 15 | 55 |
| 2015 | 25 | 60 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 85 |
| 2016 | 70 |
| 2017 | 55 |
| 2018 | 65 |
| 2019 | 45 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 35 |
| 2026 | 20 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 65 |
| 2025 | 10 |
- Canadian Experience Class45
- Federal Skilled Worker40
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$32,867 | C$32,867 | C$74,500 |
| Alberta | C$32,867 | C$32,867 | C$82,000 |
| British Columbia | C$37,929 | C$37,929 | C$76,000 |
| Manitoba | — | C$38,800 | — |
| New Brunswick | — | C$34,000 | — |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | — | C$34,229 | — |
| Nova Scotia | — | C$35,128 | — |
| Ontario | C$37,561 | C$37,561 | C$63,200 |
| Quebec | C$33,109 | C$33,109 | C$88,000 |
| Saskatchewan | — | C$34,747 | — |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 149
- Vacancies advertised
- 261
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$28.50
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