Dancers
Occupation · NOC 2021 53120 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 53120
- TEER
- 3
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 140
- Median wage, Canada
- C$32.94 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 239
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About this occupation
Dancers are employed by ballet and dance companies, television and film productions and nightclubs and similar establishments. This unit group also includes dance teachers who are usually employed by dance academies and dance schools.
Example job titles
- ballet dancer
- ballet teacher
- ballroom dancing teacher
- dance instructor
- dancer
- folkloric dancer
- interpretative dancer
- tap dancer
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Dancers
- Practise and rehearse dance routines under direction or instruction to achieve desired interpretation and presentation
- Perform dances as soloists or as members of groups before live audiences or for film or television
- Train and exercise to maintain the required levels of ability and fitness
- May choreograph their own performances.
- Dance teachers
- Teach dance technique and artistic interpretation to amateur and professional individuals and groups
- Teach the techniques, cultural origins and symbolic meanings of Aboriginal, ethnic and folkloric dances
- Teach recreational dancing lessons such as ballroom dancing
Employment requirements
- A university degree or college diploma in dance or Graduation from a private dance school or academy may be required.
- Talent and ability, as demonstrated during an audition, are important hiring criteria.
- Dance teachers usually require experience as dancers.
- 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 | 32 |
| 2017 | 28 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 1 |
- Canada's National Ballet School19
- LES PRODUCTIONS GESTEV INC.9
- Reitmans Canada Ltd7
- Yoyo School of Dancing Inc.7
- The School of Toronto Dance Theatre5
- Goh Ballet Inc.5
- 9333-2575 quebec inc.5
- ISHQ Productions Ltd4
- École de danse contemporaine de Montréal3
- Atelier Theatre Society3
- Sorensen School of Dance Limited3
- YOUNG BHANGRA INC3
- 2199481 Ont Ltd3
- Rocky Horror Productions Ltd.2
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 | 95 |
| 2025 | 0 | 70 |
| 2024 | 0 | 100 |
| 2023 | 0 | 80 |
| 2022 | 0 | 100 |
| 2021 | 0 | 60 |
| 2020 | 0 | 65 |
| 2019 | 0 | 70 |
| 2018 | 0 | 105 |
| 2017 | 5 | 45 |
| 2016 | 10 | 45 |
| 2015 | 75 | 10 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 85 |
| 2016 | 55 |
| 2017 | 50 |
| 2018 | 105 |
| 2019 | 70 |
| 2020 | 65 |
| 2021 | 60 |
| 2022 | 100 |
| 2023 | 80 |
| 2024 | 100 |
| 2025 | 70 |
| 2026 | 95 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
- Canadian Experience Class15
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$20.10 | C$32.94 | C$50.00 |
| Alberta | C$20.00 | C$35.00 | C$50.00 |
| British Columbia | C$24.00 | C$37.89 | C$60.00 |
| Ontario | C$20.10 | C$31.88 | C$47.32 |
| Quebec | C$18.33 | C$32.69 | C$50.38 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 239
- Vacancies advertised
- 285
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$30.00
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