NOC 53110: Photographers
Photographers operate still cameras to photograph people, events, scenes, materials, products and other subjects. They are employed by photographic studios, newspapers, magazines, museums and government, or they may be self-employed.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
NOC 53110 (Photographers) is a TEER 3 occupation, so it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It is not on IRCC's high-wage list. It isn't on any current category-based draw list.
TEER
TEER 3
Skilled for Express Entry
High-wage
Not listed
No extra CRS points
Category draws
None
IRCC 2026 lists
| NOC 2021 code | 53110 |
|---|---|
| Title | Photographers |
| Broad category | Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport |
| TEER | TEER 3 — usually requires a college diploma or apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or 6+ months of on-the-job training |
Example job titles
- aerial photographer
- commercial photographer
- forensic photographer
- industrial photographer
- photographer
- portrait photographer
- scientific photographer
Main duties
- Study requirements of a particular assignment and decide on type of camera, film, lighting and background accessories to be used
- Determine picture composition, make technical adjustments to equipment and photograph subject
- May operate scanners to transfer photographic images to computers
- May operate computers to manipulate photographic images
- May adapt existing photographic images and create new digitized images to be included in multimedia/new media products
- May use delicate instruments, such as optical microscopes attached to cameras
- May process exposed film
- May use airbrush, computer or other techniques to retouch negatives
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 53100 — Registrars, restorers, interpreters and other occupations related to museum and art galleries
- NOC 53111 — Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators
- NOC 53120 — Dancers
- NOC 53121 — Actors, comedians and circus performers
- NOC 53122 — Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
- NOC 53123 — Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
- NOC 53124 — Artisans and craftspersons
- NOC 53125 — Patternmakers - textile, leather and fur products
- NOC 53200 — Athletes
- NOC 53201 — Coaches
← NOC 53100 Registrars, restorers, interpreters and other occupations related to museum and art galleries · NOC 53111 Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators →
Calculate your CRS score → · All NOC codes · High-wage list
TEER 3 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 53110 eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 53110 is a TEER 3 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 53110 a high-wage occupation?+
No. NOC 53110 isn't on IRCC's Express Entry high-wage occupations list, so it doesn't earn the extra high-wage or job offer CRS points. Canadian work-length points can still apply for TEER 0–3 work.
Which Express Entry category draws include NOC 53110?+
None of IRCC's current category-based selection lists include NOC 53110. Candidates can still be invited in general, program-specific (such as CEC) or PNP rounds.