Retail butcher NOC code
NOC 2021 code, TEER level and Express Entry status for retail butcher.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
The NOC code for retail butcher is 63201 (Butchers - retail and wholesale), a TEER 3 occupation — it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It's eligible for Trades category draws.
NOC code
63201
TEER 3 · skilled
High-wage
Not listed
No extra CRS points
Category draws
Trades
IRCC 2026 lists
What NOC 63201 covers
Butchers prepare standard and specialty cuts of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish for sale in retail or wholesale food establishments. They are employed in supermarkets, grocery stores, butcher shops and fish stores or may be self-employed. Butchers who are supervisors or heads of departments are included in this unit group. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
| Unit group | 63201 — Butchers - retail and wholesale |
|---|---|
| TEER | TEER 3 — usually requires a college diploma or apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or 6+ months of on-the-job training |
| Broad category | Sales and service occupations |
Main duties to compare with yours
- Cut, trim, bone and otherwise prepare custom and/or standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish for sale at self-serve counters or according to customers' orders
- Prepare meat for special displays and/or delivery
- Shape, lace and tie roasts and other meats, poultry or fish and may wrap or package fresh or frozen or prepared meats
- Manage inventory, keep records of sales and determine amount, product line and freshness of products according to company and customer requirements
- Adhere to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and food safety standards
- Ensure food storage conditions are adequate
To use NOC 63201 on an Express Entry profile or reference letter, your duties should match the lead statement and most of the main duties. See every duty and the full Express Entry breakdown for NOC 63201 →
Other job titles under NOC 63201
- Butcher apprentice
- Butcher - butcher shop
- Head butcher - wholesale
Similar titles in other NOC codes
If your duties don't match NOC 63201, one of these may fit better:
- Industrial butcher — NOC 94141 (Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers, TEER 4)
- Retail pharmacist — NOC 31120 (Pharmacists, TEER 1)
- Retail sales route supervisor — NOC 62010 (Retail sales supervisors, TEER 2)
- Retail space planner — NOC 52121 (Interior designers and interior decorators, TEER 2)
Calculate your CRS score → · All job titles A–Z · High-wage list
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0 (example titles and duties); IRCC high-wage occupations and category-based selection lists. Check the official NOC site before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for retail butcher?+
In NOC 2021, "retail butcher" is an example title in unit group 63201 — Butchers - retail and wholesale. It is a TEER 3 occupation in the "Sales and service occupations" broad category.
Is retail butcher eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 63201 is TEER 3, which IRCC counts as skilled work experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class — provided your actual duties match the NOC description and you meet every other program requirement.
Does retail butcher get extra CRS points?+
NOC 63201 isn't on IRCC's high-wage list, so there are no extra high-wage or job offer points. Canadian work-length points still apply for TEER 0–3 work.
Can a retail butcher get a category-based Express Entry invitation?+
Yes — NOC 63201 is on IRCC's list for Trades Occupations, 2026-Version 3. You generally need have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 12 months of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) — this experience does not need to be continuous.
What if my job title says retail butcher but my duties are different?+
IRCC assesses your duties, not your job title. Compare what you actually do with the lead statement and main duties of NOC 63201. If most of them don't match, look at the related occupations below or search the official NOC site.