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Photographers

Occupation · NOC 2021 53110 · Canada

NOC 2021 code
53110
TEER
3
Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
192
Median wage, Canada
C$24.04 per hour
Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
157
NOC53110TEER 3
Year by year
Data as at 2026
OC<CANPHOTOGRAPHERS<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
531102<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<4

About this occupation

Photographers operate still cameras to photograph people, events, scenes, materials, products and other subjects. They are employed by photographic studios, newspapers, magazines, museums and government, or they may be self-employed.

Example job titles

  • aerial photographer
  • commercial photographer
  • forensic photographer
  • industrial photographer
  • photographer
  • portrait photographer
  • scientific photographer

Main duties

  • This group performs some or all of the following duties:
  • Study requirements of a particular assignment and decide on type of camera, film, lighting and background accessories to be used
  • Determine picture composition, make technical adjustments to equipment and photograph subject
  • May operate scanners to transfer photographic images to computers
  • May operate computers to manipulate photographic images
  • May adapt existing photographic images and create new digitized images to be included in multimedia/new media products
  • May use delicate instruments, such as optical microscopes attached to cameras
  • May process exposed film
  • May use airbrush, computer or other techniques to retouch negatives
  • Medical photographers may work closely with medical illustrators.

Employment requirements

  • A bachelor's degree in visual arts with specialization in photography or Completion of specialized training in photography in high school, college or specialized training schools or Extensive on-the-job training under the supervision of a photographer is required.
  • Experience in, or knowledge of computerized photography or digital imaging may be required.
  • Creative and technical ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required.
Source: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification 2021 Version 1.0. Statistics Canada Open LicenceData as at NOC 2021 v1.0

Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)

Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.

Approved positions by year

163220162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
1632201620182020202220242026
Data table
201632
201721
201813
201927
202010
20218
202216
202320
202426
202516
20263
By province or territory
  1. Quebec73
  2. British Columbia69
  3. Ontario41
  4. Alberta6
  5. Saskatchewan1
  6. Manitoba1
  7. Nova Scotia1
Employers with the most positions
  1. La Maison Simons44
  2. Kathi Z inc8
  3. Aritzia LP8
  4. ONIKON Creative Inc.7
  5. Stage 49 Ltd.5
  6. H & R PRODUCTIONS LTD.5
  7. 7806167 Canada Ltd4
  8. 9451-7216 Quebec inc.4
  9. Sold 2 Productions (MUSE) Inc.3
  10. Splashlight Studios Canada Ltd.3
  11. GEP Magicians Inc3
  12. 2604276 ONTARIO INC3
  13. La Maison Simons Inc3
  14. Modasuite Inc.2
  15. Angelic Productions Ltd2
By stream
  1. High-wage stream (TFWP)119
  2. Low-wage stream (TFWP)40
  3. Global Talent Stream (TFWP)1
Source: ESDC, Temporary Foreign Worker Program: employers who received positive and negative LMIAs (June 2014 – 2026 Q1). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2026 Q1

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).

YearTFWP permitsIMP permits
201905
201805
2017010
2016530
2015605

All work permits by year

336520152016201720182019
336520152016201720182019
Data table
201565
201635
201710
20185
20195
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (values rounded to the nearest 5; 1–4 suppressed). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at Jun 2026

Permanent residence

Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).

New permanent residents by year

5102019202120222023
5102019202120222023
Data table
20195
20215
202210
202310
Express Entry invitations since 2015, by programme
  1. Canadian Experience Class115
  2. Federal Skilled Worker45
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (values rounded to the nearest 5; 1–4 suppressed). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at Jun 2026

Wages

Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.

AreaLowMedianHigh
CanadaC$17.50C$24.04C$48.63
AlbertaC$15.24C$22.88C$31.62
British ColumbiaC$18.00C$21.00C$31.25
ManitobaC$16.00C$22.06C$29.14
New BrunswickC$15.65C$18.64C$32.30
Newfoundland and LabradorC$20.16C$22.66C$27.46
Nova ScotiaC$17.70C$25.12C$33.51
OntarioC$17.60C$21.00C$50.00
QuebecC$18.00C$24.00C$36.85
SaskatchewanC$17.23C$21.08C$27.94
Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
157
Vacancies advertised
292
Median advertised minimum hourly wage
C$25.00
Source: ESDC, Wages by occupation and economic region (2025 release). Open Government Licence – Canada; ESDC, Job Bank job postings, January–September 2026. Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 24 Oct 2026

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