NOC 85121: Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers
Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers perform work to assist in the construction of landscapes and related structures, and to maintain lawns, gardens, athletic fields, golf courses, cemeteries, parks, landscaped interiors and other landscaped areas. They are employed by landscaping and lawn care companies, golf courses, cemeteries, and landscaping operations of public works departments and private establishments.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
NOC 85121 (Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers) is a TEER 5 occupation — not skilled work for FSW or CEC. It is not on IRCC's high-wage list. It isn't on any current category-based draw list.
TEER
TEER 5
Not skilled for FSW/CEC
High-wage
Not listed
No extra CRS points
Category draws
None
IRCC 2026 lists
| NOC 2021 code | 85121 |
|---|---|
| Title | Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers |
| Broad category | Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations |
| TEER | TEER 5 — usually short-term work demonstration and no formal education |
Example job titles
- bulb planter - landscaping
- cemetery labourer
- gardening helper
- golf course worker
- grass cutter
- grounds maintenance worker
- landscape labourer
- park maintenance labourer
Main duties
- Spread top soil, lay sod, plant flowers, grass, shrubs and trees and perform other duties to assist with the construction of a landscape and related structures
- Cut grass, rake, aerate, dethatch, fertilize and water lawns, weed gardens, prune shrubs and trees and perform other maintenance duties as directed by supervisor
- Maintain lawns and grass along roadsides
- Operate and maintain power mowers, tractors, chain saws, electric clippers, sod cutters, pruning saws, snowblowers and other landscape maintenance equipment
- Spray and dust trees, shrubs, lawns and gardens, as directed, to control insects and disease
- Perform other manual duties to clean and maintain landscaped environments.
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 85100 — Livestock labourers
- NOC 85101 — Harvesting labourers
- NOC 85102 — Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers
- NOC 85103 — Nursery and greenhouse labourers
- NOC 85104 — Trappers and hunters
- NOC 85110 — Mine labourers
- NOC 85111 — Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers
- NOC 85120 — Logging and forestry labourers
← NOC 85120 Logging and forestry labourers · NOC 90010 Manufacturing managers →
Calculate your CRS score → · All NOC codes · High-wage list
TEER 5 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 85121 eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 85121 is a TEER 5 occupation. IRCC only counts TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 work as skilled experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, so this occupation alone generally won't meet those requirements. Provincial programs may differ.
Is NOC 85121 a high-wage occupation?+
No. NOC 85121 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 85121?+
None of IRCC's current category-based selection lists include NOC 85121. Candidates can still be invited in general, program-specific (such as CEC) or PNP rounds.