NOC 2021 · 51120 · TEER 1
NOC 51120: Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Producers, directors, choreographers and professionals in related occupations oversee and control the technical and artistic aspects of film, television, video game, radio, dance and theatre productions. They are employed by film production companies, radio and television stations, video game companies, broadcast departments, advertising companies, sound recording studios, record production companies and dance companies. They may also be self-employed.
TEER
TEER 1
Usually needs a university degree
Median wage (Canada)
$41.03 / hour
Job Bank, 2023-2024
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Tier 3
+20 CRS for Canadian work, or 50 for a job offer
Express Entry categories
None
General and program draws only
Express Entry
How NOC 51120 counts for Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of continuous skilled (TEER 0–3) work in the last 10 years and 67 points on the FSW grid.
- Canadian Experience Class: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work in Canada in the last 3 years.
- Federal Skilled Trades: not eligibleNeeds 2 years of work in an eligible trade group in the last 5 years, plus a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
High-wage CRS points
NOC 51120 is in tier 3 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.
| 12+ months of Canadian work | +20 points on top of work-length points |
|---|---|
| Qualifying job offer (no LMIA) | 50 points |
You get whichever option scores higher, not both.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
NOC 51120 is not on any of IRCC's 2026 occupation categories. You can still be invited through general, program-specific or French-language draws.
IRCC category listsDuties
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Film, radio, television and video game producers
- Plan, organize and control the various stages and scheduling involved in the production of presentations, motion pictures, television shows and radio programs; engage directors and other production personnel and supervise all technical personnel, and determine the treatment, scope and scheduling of production; maintain production archives, negotiate royalties and may plan and control the budget pertaining to a particular production.
- Directors
- Interpret scripts and direct the mise-en-scène; select and direct the actors, extras and technical crew; advise the cast and crew on the interpretation and delivery of the performance; direct rehearsals, filmings, broadcasts and performances; and confer with crew and specialists throughout production and post-production to achieve desired presentation.
- Choreographers
- Create dances for film, theatre and television performances that convey stories, ideas and moods, and direct rehearsals for dancers to achieve desired interpretation.
- Art directors
- Plan, organize and direct the artistic aspects of motion pictures, video games, stage productions and television shows by overseeing the design of sets, costumes, furnishings and props to create portrayals of period and setting.
- Film editors
- Edit motion picture film and arrange film segments into sequences to achieve continuity and desired dramatic, comedic and thematic effects.
- Record producers
- Plan and coordinate the production of musical recordings, direct musicians and singers during rehearsals and recordings and manage technicians involved in duplicating, dubbing and mastering of recordings.
- Directors of photography
- Coordinate and direct the photography of motion pictures, supervise camera operators and other crews and determine lighting, lenses, camera angles, backgrounds and other elements to achieve desired visual effect.
For Express Entry, your experience must match the lead statement and most of these duties, not only the job title.
Job titles
Example job titles
- artistic director - motion picture
- choreographer
- cyber-choreographer
- director - motion picture
- director of photography
- filmmaker
- multimedia audio producer
- producer - performing arts
- producer-director
- radio producer
- record producer
- stage director - performing arts
- technical director - broadcasting
- television producer
All 57 job titles in NOC 51120
- art director - graphic design
- art director - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- artistic director - motion picture
- assistant director
- assistant director - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- audiovisual (AV) producer
- broadcasting director
- broadcasting producer
- broadcasting sports director
- casting director
- choreographer
- cinematographer
- cyber-choreographer
- director - motion picture
- director - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- director of photography
- film director
- film editor
- film producer
- filmmaker
- floor director - performing arts
- motion picture director
- motion picture producer
- motion picture production director
- movie director
- movie producer
- multimedia audio producer
- performing arts artistic director
- producer - performing arts
- producer-director
- production designer - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- production director - motion picture
- program director - broadcasting
- radio director
- radio producer
- record producer
- recording director
- stage director - performing arts
- stage producer
- technical director - broadcasting
- technical director - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- technical producer
- technical producer - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- television director
- television director-producer
- television producer
- video director
- video game art director
- video game producer
- video games project manager
- video illustrator - multimedia work
- video maker
- video producer
- visual effects (VFX) production manager
- visual effects producer
- visual effects project manager
- visual effects technical director - motion pictures
Also includes: film editor, video illustrator - multimedia work.
Requirements
Employment requirements
- Producers, directors and film editors
- A university degree or college diploma in the performing arts, broadcasting, journalism, business administration, theatre production or film studies and experience in a technical or production occupation in motion pictures, broadcasting or theatre are usually required.
- Choreographers
- A university degree or college diploma in dance, or a period of study at a school of dance and extensive training with a dance company are usually required.
- Record producers
- A university degree or college diploma in music or the recording arts and experience in a technical or production occupation in the recording arts are usually required.
- Directors of photography
- A university degree or college diploma in film studies or cinematography and experience in camera operation or another technical occupation in video or motion picture production are usually required.
- Demonstrated creative ability is required for all occupations in this unit group.
Additional information
- Membership in a related guild or union may be required.
Wages
Wages for NOC 51120 in Canada
Low, median and high wages per hour in Canadian dollars, from ESDC Job Bank's 2025 wage data.
| Region | Low | Median | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $22.00 | $41.03 | $70.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $25.17 | $35.85 | $51.60 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Prince Edward Island | $18.37 | $35.16 | $49.85 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $20.08 | $31.68 | $54.48 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
| New Brunswick | $23.56 | $34.53 | $50.44 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Quebec | $22.22 | $40.00 | $58.79 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Ontario | $18.27 | $39.90 | $56.65 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Manitoba | $24.29 | $38.94 | $54.81 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $20.00 | $26.85 | $33.65 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Alberta | $23.96 | $35.97 | $49.45 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| British Columbia | $24.58 | $41.99 | $69.53 | Employment Insurance Survey Data, 2023-2024 |
Provinces with too little data are not shown. Wages vary by city and employer; see Job Bank for regional figures.
Job outlook
Job outlook by province, 2025–2027
Job Bank's 3-year employment outlook for this occupation, by province and territory.
ModeratePrince Edward Island
The employment outlook will be Moderate for producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations (NOC 51120) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations in Prince Edward Island:
Approximately 50 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations mainly work in the following sectors:
Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 81%
Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 19%
75% of producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations work all year, while 25% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
54% of producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 77% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 23% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: 15% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 15% compared to 25% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 46% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 23% compared to 8% for all occupations
ModerateNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations (NOC 51120) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
Here are some key facts about producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 950 people work in this occupation.
Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations mainly work in the following sectors:
Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 73%
Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 14%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 87% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 13% compared to 18% for all occupations
65% of producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations work all year, while 35% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
40% of producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 73% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 27% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 16% compared to 27% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 25% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 44% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 9% compared to 10% for all occupations
ModerateNew Brunswick
The employment outlook will be Moderate for producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations (NOC 51120) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
Here are some key facts about producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations in New Brunswick:
Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations mainly work in the following sectors:
Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 42%
Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 39%
Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 6%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 87% compared to 84% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 13% compared to 16% for all occupations
57% of producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations work all year, while 42% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
34% of producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations are self-employed compared to an average of 10% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 72% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 28% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 27% compared to 30% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 22% compared to 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 35% compared to 16% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 9% compared to 7% for all occupations
LimitedQuebec
The employment outlook will be Limited for producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations (NOC 51120) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations in Quebec:
Approximately 11,000 people work in this occupation.
Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations mainly work in the following sectors:
Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 54%
Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 18%
Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 6%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 88% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 12% compared to 18% for all occupations
57% of producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations work all year, while 42% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
36% of producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 65% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 35% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 11% compared to 19% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 6% compared to 19% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 37% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 15% compared to 11% for all occupations
LimitedOntario
The employment outlook will be Limited for producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations (NOC 51120) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations in Ontario:
Approximately 15,450 people work in this occupation.
Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations mainly work in the following sectors:
Information and cultural industries (NAICS 51): 62%
Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 15%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 5%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 84% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 16% compared to 19% for all occupations
56% of producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations work all year, while 43% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
45% of producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 64% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 36% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: 15% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 42% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 10% compared to 13% for all occupations
UndeterminedNewfoundland and Labrador
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedManitoba
Since the employment opportunities in this occupation are primarily based on talent or entrepreneurship, they will vary from one individual to another.
UndeterminedSaskatchewan
Since the employment opportunities in this occupation are primarily based on talent or entrepreneurship, they will vary from one individual to another.
UndeterminedAlberta
Since the employment opportunities in this occupation are primarily based on talent or entrepreneurship, they will vary from one individual to another.
UndeterminedBritish Columbia
Since the employment opportunities in this occupation are primarily based on talent or entrepreneurship, they will vary from one individual to another.
UndeterminedNorthwest Territories
Since the employment opportunities in this occupation are primarily based on talent or entrepreneurship, they will vary from one individual to another.
UndeterminedNunavut
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Source: ESDC Job Bank, 3-year employment outlooks 2025–2027 (released December 2025).
Provinces
Provincial Nominee Programs
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. Most provinces run occupation-targeted draws or in-demand lists, and some accept TEER 4 and 5 occupations that Express Entry does not.
Provincial lists change often, sometimes between draws. We check whether NOC 51120 is being targeted by any province as part of a consultation.
Similar occupations
Related NOC codes
Classified elsewhere
If your duties fit one of these better, use that code instead.
Same occupation group
Creative and performing artists
- 51121 Conductors, composers and arrangers
- 51122 Musicians and singers
Questions
NOC 51120: common questions
What is the NOC code for producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations?
What TEER category is NOC 51120?
Is NOC 51120 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 51120 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 51120 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 51120 in Canada?
Classification
Where it sits in NOC 2021
- 5Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sportBroad Category
- 51Professional occupations in art and cultureMajor Group
- 511Professional occupations in art and cultureSub-major Group
- 5112Creative and performing artistsMinor Group
- 51120Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
Enquiry
Is NOC 51120 your occupation? Ask us about your options.
Tell us your duties, experience and language scores. We will confirm your NOC code and the Canadian routes that fit.
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0, Job Bank wages (2025), Job Bank outlooks 2025–2027 and IRCC. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Checked 21 October 2026.
NOC 2026 is due from Statistics Canada in December 2026. IRCC still uses NOC 2021 codes, and this page will show any change once IRCC switches.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, IRCC or ESDC.
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