Athletes
Occupation · NOC 2021 53200 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 53200
- TEER
- 3
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 352
- Median wage, Canada
- C$27.50 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 19
OC<CANATHLETES<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 532006<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2
About this occupation
Athletes participate in competitive sports events on an amateur or professional basis. They play team sports such as hockey, baseball, football and lacrosse; or compete in individual sports such as skiing, figure skating, boxing or track and field; or in games such as poker or chess. They are employed by professional team organizations or they may be self-employed.
Example job titles
- athlete
- baseball player
- boxer
- figure skater
- football player
- golfer
- harness race driver
- hockey player
- jockey
- professional athlete
- skier
- sprinter
- track athlete
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Train under the direction of a coach or trainer to qualify for competition
- Attend scheduled practice and training sessions
- Participate in local, regional, provincial, national or international competitions and sporting events
- Assess performance after an event to identify strengths and weaknesses.
Employment requirements
- Demonstrated ability in a particular sport, or type of game, is required.
- Extensive training under the supervision of a coach is required.
- Certification with a particular sports federation may be required.
- A background combining athletic training and college or university studies is strongly recommended.
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 | 73 |
| 2017 | 71 |
| 2018 | 72 |
| 2019 | 58 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 1 |
- Electronic Arts (Canada), Inc.339
- 2299443 ONTARIO INC3
- G. Cox Racing INC2
- C5 Bar Ranch2
- Mizrachi Organization of Canada1
- FOF Production Inc1
- Toronto Atomic FC Inc.1
- Football Club Vorkuta1
- 3D Entertainment Group Inc1
- same1
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 | 1,155 |
| 2025 | 20 | 1,240 |
| 2024 | 0 | 1,220 |
| 2023 | 20 | 1,275 |
| 2022 | 0 | 1,205 |
| 2021 | 5 | 1,170 |
| 2020 | 15 | 335 |
| 2019 | 45 | 1,365 |
| 2018 | 60 | 1,265 |
| 2017 | 70 | 1,180 |
| 2016 | 60 | 1,100 |
| 2015 | 50 | 965 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 1,015 |
| 2016 | 1,160 |
| 2017 | 1,250 |
| 2018 | 1,325 |
| 2019 | 1,410 |
| 2020 | 350 |
| 2021 | 1,175 |
| 2022 | 1,205 |
| 2023 | 1,295 |
| 2024 | 1,220 |
| 2025 | 1,260 |
| 2026 | 1,155 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2024 | 5 |
- Canadian Experience Class5
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$18.00 | C$27.50 | C$51.71 |
| Alberta | C$20.00 | C$30.00 | C$47.09 |
| British Columbia | C$20.11 | C$29.50 | C$68.95 |
| Ontario | C$19.48 | C$30.00 | C$51.14 |
| Quebec | C$17.28 | C$23.45 | C$50.56 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 19
- Vacancies advertised
- 20
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$29.00
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