NOC 21211: Data scientists
Data scientists use advanced analytics technologies, including machine learning and predictive modelling, to support the identification of trends, scrape information from unstructured data sources and provide automated recommendations. They are employed by consulting firms, universities, banks and information technology departments in the public and private sectors.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
NOC 21211 (Data scientists) is a TEER 1 occupation, so it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It is on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 2: +40 CRS for 12+ months of Canadian work, or 70 for a job offer. It isn't on any current category-based draw list.
TEER
TEER 1
Skilled for Express Entry
High-wage
Level 2
+40 work · 70 job offer
Category draws
None
IRCC 2026 lists
| NOC 2021 code | 21211 |
|---|---|
| Title | Data scientists |
| Broad category | Natural and applied sciences and related occupations |
| TEER | TEER 1 — usually requires a university degree |
CRS points for this occupation
Under the Labour Market Integration factor, IRCC gives you the higher of: your Canadian work-length points plus 40 for 12+ months of qualifying work in a Level 2 occupation, or 70 points for a valid job offer in it. How job offer points work.
Example job titles
Main duties
- Implement cutting-edge techniques and tools in machine learning, deep learning and artificial intelligence to make data analysis more efficient
- Perform large-scale experimentation to identify hidden relationships between variables in large datasets
- Create advanced machine learning algorithms such as regression, simulation, scenario analysis, modeling, clustering, decision trees and neural networks
- Prepare and extract data using programming language
- Implement new statistical, machine learning, or other mathematical methodologies to solve specific business problems
- Visualize data in a way that allows a business to quickly draw conclusions and make decisions
- Develop artificial intelligence models and algorithms and implement them to meet the needs of the organization
- Coordinate research and analysis activities using unstructured and structured data and use programming to clean and organize data
Your duties should match the lead statement and most of the main duties to use this NOC — check the full profile on the official NOC site.
Related occupations
- NOC 21200 — Architects
- NOC 21201 — Landscape architects
- NOC 21202 — Urban and land use planners
- NOC 21203 — Land surveyors
- NOC 21210 — Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
- NOC 21220 — Cybersecurity specialists
- NOC 21221 — Business systems specialists
- NOC 21222 — Information systems specialists
- NOC 21223 — Database analysts and data administrators
- NOC 21230 — Computer systems developers and programmers
← NOC 21210 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries · NOC 21220 Cybersecurity specialists →
Calculate your CRS score → · All NOC codes · High-wage list
TEER 1 also matters for work permits: see the spousal open work permit (TEER rules for spouses of workers), LMIA explained and the Atlantic Immigration Program (job offers in TEER 0–4).
Sources: Statistics Canada NOC 2021 V1.0; IRCC high-wage occupations; IRCC category-based selection; IRCC who can apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is NOC 21211 eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 21211 is a TEER 1 occupation. IRCC counts work in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations as skilled work experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, as long as all other program requirements are met.
Is NOC 21211 a high-wage occupation?+
Yes. It's on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 2. From November 3, 2026, 12+ months of qualifying Canadian work in it adds 40 CRS points, or a valid job offer in it is worth 70 points (whichever is higher).
Which Express Entry category draws include NOC 21211?+
None of IRCC's current category-based selection lists include NOC 21211. Candidates can still be invited in general, program-specific (such as CEC) or PNP rounds.