Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
Occupation · NOC 2021 84120 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 84120
- TEER
- 4
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 3,264
- Median wage, Canada
- C$22.00 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 1,681
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About this occupation
Specialized livestock workers carry out feeding, health and breeding programs on dairy, beef, sheep, poultry, swine and other livestock farms. Farm machinery operators operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment. They are employed on crop, livestock, fruit, vegetable and specialty farms.
Example job titles
- artificial inseminator
- cattle herdsperson
- dairy herdsperson
- farm machinery operator
- harvester machine operator
- horse trainer
- pork production technician
- swine herdsperson
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Specialized livestock workers
- Perform or assist in performing animal husbandry activities
- Implement pasture or pen breeding programs
- Develop and implement feeding programs
- Follow safety and bio-security procedures
- Detect and treat certain diseases and health problems in livestock
- Maintain livestock performance records
- Select livestock for sale
- Set and monitor water lines, air flow and temperature in barns, pens and chicken coops
Employment requirements
- Specialized livestock workers may require a college certificate or other specialized training in agriculture or livestock husbandry.
- There are no specific education or training requirements for farm machinery operators. However, a college certificate or specialized courses related to farming, such as farm equipment mechanics, agricultural welding and pesticide application, are available.
- Basic farm knowledge, usually obtained from working on a family farm, may be required for employment.
- A course or certificate in first aid 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
| 2024 | 1,206 |
| 2025 | 1,699 |
| 2026 | 359 |
- Highline Produce Limited100
- Vert Nature inc85
- Cuddy Farms a divison of Hendrix Genetics Limited83
- Rimrock Cattle Company Ltd.76
- Highline Mushrooms West Limited73
- OlyM s.e.c67
- LES PRODUCTIONS MARGIRIC INC65
- Jealous Fruits Ltd.64
- Douglas Lake Cattle Company48
- Monaghan Mushrooms Ltd.38
- Ferme Saurette Inc35
- Sunterra Farms Ltd.30
- Double F Farms 2015 Ltd.29
- Miedema Honey Farm inc.28
- Hannigan Honey Inc.26
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$15.00 | C$22.00 | C$32.00 |
| Alberta | C$15.00 | C$25.00 | C$32.00 |
| British Columbia | C$17.85 | C$20.00 | C$32.00 |
| Manitoba | C$16.00 | C$21.54 | C$33.00 |
| New Brunswick | C$15.65 | C$20.00 | C$31.41 |
| Nova Scotia | C$16.50 | C$19.00 | C$31.95 |
| Ontario | C$17.60 | C$21.15 | C$32.50 |
| Quebec | C$16.10 | C$21.00 | C$30.00 |
| Saskatchewan | C$17.00 | C$27.50 | C$40.00 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 1,681
- Vacancies advertised
- 4,203
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$20.00
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