C.A. · Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 1803385)

NOC 2021 · 63200 · TEER 3

NOC 63200: Cooks

Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026

Cooks prepare and cook a wide variety of foods. They are employed in restaurants, hotels, hospitals and other health care institutions, central food commissaries, educational institutions and other establishments. Cooks are also employed aboard ships and at construction and logging campsites. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

TEER

TEER 3

Usually needs a college diploma, an apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training

Median wage (Canada)

$18.00 / hour

Job Bank, 2023-2024

High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)

Not on the list

No high-wage CRS points

Express Entry categories

None

General and program draws only

Express Entry

How NOC 63200 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: eligible occupationNeeds 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 63200 is not one of IRCC's 186 high-wage occupations, so Canadian work or a job offer in it earns no high-wage points. Your usual Canadian work-length points still count.

See all 186 high-wage occupations

Category-based draws

NOC 63200 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 lists

Duties

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Prepare and cook complete meals or individual dishes and foods
  • Prepare and cook special meals for patients as instructed by dietitian or chef
  • Schedule and supervise kitchen helpers
  • Oversee kitchen operations
  • Maintain inventory and records of food, supplies and equipment
  • May set up and oversee buffets
  • May clean kitchen and work area
  • May plan menus, determine size of food portions, estimate food requirements and costs, and monitor and order supplies
  • May hire and train kitchen staff.

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

  • apprentice cook
  • cook
  • dietary cook
  • first cook
  • grill cook
  • hospital cook
  • institutional cook
  • journeyman/woman cook
  • licensed cook
  • line cook
  • second cook
  • short order cook
All 38 job titles in NOC 63200
  • apprentice cook
  • assistant cook
  • banquet cook
  • breakfast cook
  • broiler cook
  • cafeteria cook
  • camp cook
  • caterer cook
  • construction camp cook
  • cook
  • cook - Canadian Armed Forces
  • diet kitchen cook
  • dietary cook
  • domestic cook
  • ethnic food cook
  • first cook
  • fishing and merchant vessel cook
  • grill cook
  • hospital cook
  • institutional cook
  • journeyman/woman cook
  • kosher foods cook
  • licensed cook
  • line cook
  • logging camp cook
  • mess cook
  • pastry cook
  • pizza cook
  • railway cook
  • restaurant cook
  • second cook
  • ship's cook
  • short order cook
  • small establishment cook
  • special diet cook
  • special order cook - hospital
  • therapeutic diet cook
  • third cook

Requirements

Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Completion of a three-year apprenticeship program for cooks or completion of college or other program in cooking or food safety or several years of commercial cooking experience may be required.
  • Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in all provinces and territories.
  • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified cooks upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Additional information

  • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
  • There is mobility among the various types of cooks in this group.
  • Progression to supervisory or more senior positions, such as chef, is possible with experience and training.

This occupation may be regulated in some provinces. You may need a licence or certificate from the provincial regulator before you can work in it in Canada, even if you hold permanent residence.

Wages

Wages for NOC 63200 in Canada

Low, median and high wages per hour in Canadian dollars, from ESDC Job Bank's 2025 wage data.

RegionLowMedianHighSource
Canada$15.00$18.00$25.00Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Newfoundland and Labrador$16.00$17.00$27.54Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Prince Edward Island$16.50$18.00$25.73Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Nova Scotia$16.50$17.00$22.50Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
New Brunswick$15.65$16.40$22.00Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Quebec$16.10$18.00$25.00Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Ontario$17.60$18.00$24.00Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Manitoba$16.00$16.50$21.00Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Saskatchewan$15.35$17.00$23.08Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Alberta$15.00$17.50$23.50Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
British Columbia$17.85$20.00$26.00Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024
Nunavut$19.00$25.00$35.00Employment 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 rates the 3-year outlook as good or very good in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick.

Very goodPrince Edward Island

The employment outlook will be Very good for cooks (NOC 63200) 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.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities may vary depending on the time of the year.

The prospect for employment in this occupation is good as there continues to be a shortage of workers and unfilled vacancies in the province. Demand for workers is expected to increase over the forecast period. Employers rely on the Temporary Foreign Worker program to fill temporary jobs/vacancies in this occupation when qualified Canadian labour is not available. The majority of cooks are employed in food services, mainly in full-service restaurants, and to a lesser extent in limited-service restaurants. Other key employers include nursing care facilities and traveler accommodations such as hotels and resorts.

Job prospects will therefore be better for candidates with substantial cooking experience. Although this is mostly an entry-level position and skilled trade certification is voluntary, individuals who have completed an apprenticeship or other culinary-related program may fare better in the job market, particularly in nursing care facilities. Individuals with several years' experience preparing specific ethnic dishes will also have good job prospects given the growing cultural diversity in the province. Job openings for cooks can be seasonal with opportunities better in the summer months. Some cooks change jobs frequently, creating additional employment opportunities in this occupation.

This trend is particularly evident in some rural areas where resorts and tourist facilities may only open for part of the year. Cooks may be required to work various shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays, therefore flexibility is an asset in securing employment. The aging of the population, the increasing number of single households and the rising participation of women in the labour force will continue to benefit the food services industry.

Here are some key facts about cooks in Prince Edward Island:

Approximately 1,100 people work in this occupation.

Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 67%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 9%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 9%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 80% compared to 84% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 20% compared to 16% for all occupations

52% of cooks work all year, while 48% 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 39 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of cooks are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 50% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 50% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 17% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 40% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 7% compared to 11% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 25% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 7% compared to 17% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

GoodNova Scotia

The employment outlook will be Good for cooks (NOC 63200) in Nova Scotia 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.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities tend to be more favourable during the summer months.

A severe shortage of cooks that emerged in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic containment measures continues to affect the food services industry throughout the province. The large number of unfilled positions may represent favourable hiring conditions for jobseekers in this occupation. While experience is an asset, the limited supply of cooks has driven employers to accept applicants with little-to-no experience in this field. Jobseekers may also find a wide range of wages being offered for cook positions, as some employers compete for a limited number of candidates. Some recruitment in this occupation occurs through personal networks, so jobseekers may benefit from enquiring with employers directly about opportunities in some cases.

Here are some key facts about cooks in Nova Scotia:

Approximately 5,800 people work in this occupation.

Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 72%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 8%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 72% compared to 82% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 28% compared to 18% for all occupations

36% of cooks work all year, while 64% 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 36 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of cooks are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 59% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 41% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 17% compared to 10% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 37% compared to 27% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 14% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 21% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 8% compared to 20% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

GoodNew Brunswick

The employment outlook will be Good for cooks (NOC 63200) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities tend to be more favourable during the summer months.

This occupation is characterized by a high degree of turnover, so opportunities are typically plentiful. This is particularly the case for those with some experience.

The employment prospects for cooks may vary substantially by community. Employment levels may be more seasonal in rural areas where restaurant activity can be more reliant on tourism.

Red Seal certification may enhance job prospects.

Candidates are generally required to complete a food safety course.

Here are some key facts about cooks in New Brunswick:

Approximately 4,100 people work in this occupation.

Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 69%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 11%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 70% compared to 84% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 30% compared to 16% for all occupations

41% of cooks work all year, while 59% 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 37 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of cooks are self-employed compared to an average of 10% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 46% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 54% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 24% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 43% compared to 30% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 12% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 16% compared to 23% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 16% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

ModerateNewfoundland and Labrador

The employment outlook will be Moderate for cooks (NOC 63200) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Growth in this occupation will depend on an employment recovery in the food services industry, which has not returned to pre-pandemic employment levels. Job prospects will be better for candidates with substantial cooking experience. Although this is mostly an entry-level position and skilled trade certification is voluntary, individuals who have completed an apprenticeship or other culinary-related program may fare better in the job market, particularly in nursing care facilities. Individuals with several years' experience preparing specific ethnic dishes will also have good job prospects given the growing cultural diversity in the province. Job openings for cooks can be seasonal with opportunities better in the summer months, particularly in rural areas where restaurant activity can be more reliant on tourism. Cooks may be required to work various shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays; therefore, flexibility is an asset in securing employment.

Here are some key facts about cooks in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Approximately 2,650 people work in this occupation.

Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 59%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 8%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 8%

Accommodation services (NAICS 721): 6%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 76% compared to 83% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 24% compared to 17% for all occupations

40% of cooks work all year, while 60% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 35 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of cooks are self-employed compared to an average of 8% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 48% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 52% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 16% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 37% compared to 27% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 22% compared to 17% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 18% compared to 23% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 14% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

ModerateManitoba

The employment outlook will be Moderate for cooks (NOC 63200) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Demand for this occupation is driven by growth in the overall food service industry, which in turn relies on food establishments, expansion of services (takeout and delivery), and institutional and event catering.

Consumer spending and behavior influence establishments and services. Institutions, like hospitals, care homes, and school and business cafeterias provide a more stable demand.

The food services industry is characterized by entry-level positions and high employee turnover. This may account for high job vacancy rates for food services and drinking places.

Key trends in this occupation include sustainability and waste reduction (upcycling), plant-based innovation, local sourcing, and the use of social media to drive food trends.

Jobs are concentrated in the Parklands, North, Southwest and Winnipeg regions.

Here are some key facts about cooks in Manitoba:

Approximately 7,350 people work in this occupation.

Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 70%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 8%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 60% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 40% compared to 19% for all occupations

42% of cooks work all year, while 57% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 36 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of cooks are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 55% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 45% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 23% compared to 12% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 40% compared to 31% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 11% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 16% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 8% compared to 20% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

ModerateSaskatchewan

The employment outlook will be Moderate for cooks (NOC 63200) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

Labour shortages and above average turnover rates may improve job opportunities for this occupation in the near term.

With many restaurants typically sourcing 30 to 35 per cent of their products from the States, tariffs may impact already thin profit margins of restaurant operators and limit hiring opportunities for this occupation.

Ongoing trade uncertainty is weakening consumer and business confidence and slowing hiring as firms delay investment. Combined with subdued consumer sentiment, slower population growth, and weaker income gains are expected to dampen consumer spending.

Here are some key facts about cooks in Saskatchewan:

Approximately 6,050 people work in this occupation.

Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 63%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 11%

Hospitals (NAICS 622): 7%

Social assistance (NAICS 624): 5%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 67% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 33% compared to 19% for all occupations

44% of cooks work all year, while 56% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 38 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of cooks are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 54% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 46% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 19% compared to 11% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 42% compared to 33% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 14% compared to 15% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 9% compared to 18% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

ModerateBritish Columbia

The employment outlook will be Moderate for cooks (NOC 63200) in British Columbia 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.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Consumer spending and behavior influence establishments and services.

Institutions, like hospitals, care homes, and school and business cafeterias provide a more stable demand.

The food services industry is characterized by entry-level positions and high employee turnover.

Key trends for this occupation include contactless ordering and payment, artificial intelligence (AI) used to analyze data for and inventory management and waste reduction, kitchen automation for repetitive tasks, and delivery-centred ghost kitchens.

Here are some key facts about cooks in British Columbia:

Approximately 27,900 people work in this occupation.

Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 79%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 64% compared to 78% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 36% compared to 22% for all occupations

36% of cooks work all year, while 64% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 36 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of cooks are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 57% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 42% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 21% compared to 8% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 41% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 12% compared to 13% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 13% compared to 17% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 10% compared to 22% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations

ModerateNorthwest Territories

The employment outlook will be Moderate for cooks (NOC 63200) in Northwest Territories 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.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

Cooks are one of 43 designated trades in the Northwest Territories.

Apprentices usually go to school in Alberta as local training is not available. An apprenticeship takes about three years to complete, including three on the job periods and three technical training periods.

In the Northwest Territories, this occupation can be employed to support the workforce in industrial settings, such as at mining camps.

From 2021-2040, 181 job openings are forecast for cooks in the Northwest Territories (

Government of Northwest Territories, 2023

).

Here are some key facts about cooks in Northwest Territories:

Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.

Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:

Tourism & Culture (NAICS 51, 71-72): 47%

Health care and social services (NAICS 62): 16%

Public Administration and Defence (NAICS 91): 15%

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 7%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 72% compared to 88% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 28% compared to 12% for all occupations

49% of cooks work all year, while 51% work only part of the year, compared to 71% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 37 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 52% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 48% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 37% compared to 17% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 27% compared to 26% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 17% compared to 12% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 18% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: n/a

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

LimitedQuebec

The employment outlook will be Limited for cooks (NOC 63200) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Employment in this occupation is closely linked to the trends that affect the food services sector. This industry is characterized by a highly competitive business environment and low profit margins, leading to significant business turnover. However, some positions are found in more stable environments, such as cafeterias in hospitals, schools or corporate institutions, as well as catering services.

The recent population growth, driven by immigration, and an improved tourism outlook are contributing to expanding the clientele in the food services industry. However, in the context of the rising cost of living and economic uncertainty, consumers tend to reduce non-essential spending and favour more affordable options, such as take-out meals or limited-service counters. This trend may foster employment in fast-food restaurants at the expense of full-service restaurants.

Additionally, to remain profitable, various restaurants are simplifying their menus, reducing their workforce, and adopting automated solutions, which change labour requirements and could restrict hiring.

Here are some key facts about cooks in Quebec:

Approximately 47,100 people work in this occupation.

Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 72%

Social assistance (NAICS 624): 7%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 63% compared to 82% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 37% compared to 18% for all occupations

41% of cooks work all year, while 59% 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 36 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of cooks are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 56% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 43% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 31% compared to 12% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 28% compared to 19% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 23% compared to 19% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 12% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

LimitedOntario

The employment outlook will be Limited for cooks (NOC 63200) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

Full-service restaurants and limited service eating places

Nursing and residential care facilities

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

The high number of restaurants in the province will support opportunities for cooks

However, consumer spending in restaurants is expected to be constrained due to economic uncertainty

There could also be a fair amount of competition for jobs given the relatively low entry requirements for some roles, and weaker hiring activities by employers

Investments in new nursing and long-term care facilities in Ontario could create some opportunities

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

There are three voluntary skilled trades associated with this occupation in Ontario, namely, Cook, Assistant Cook, and Institutional Cook

Skill requirements can vary by place of work:

Limited-service restaurants may not require formal training or much experience

Full-service restaurants, catering companies, hotels, and nursing and long-term care facilities may require formal training and related experience depending on the duties.

Here are some key facts about cooks in Ontario:

Approximately 54,700 people work in this occupation.

Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 78%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 7%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 56% compared to 81% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 44% compared to 19% for all occupations

34% of cooks work all year, while 66% 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 34 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.

6% of cooks are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 62% compared to 52% for all occupations

Women: 38% compared to 48% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 23% compared to 9% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 41% compared to 25% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 8% compared to 8% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 18% compared to 22% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 8% compared to 24% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

LimitedAlberta

The employment outlook will be Limited for cooks (NOC 63200) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

The accommodation and food services industry had the highest job vacancy rate among industries in the province over the first half of 2025, indicating that there are employment opportunities going unfilled.

Population growth should improve the demand for this occupation. However, restaurants remain sensitive to the discretionary spending of consumers, which is dependent on economic conditions.

Food service employers are having an increasingly difficult time recruiting and retaining employees at all levels, meaning that hiring requirements may be more flexible, at least over the near-term.

Here are some key facts about cooks in Alberta:

Approximately 18,750 people work in this occupation.

Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:

Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 77%

Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 6%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 66% compared to 80% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 34% compared to 20% for all occupations

36% of cooks work all year, while 64% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 35 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.

Less than 5% of cooks are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 61% compared to 53% for all occupations

Women: 39% compared to 47% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 23% compared to 10% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 42% compared to 28% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 10% compared to 13% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 19% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 9% compared to 21% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations

LimitedNunavut

The employment outlook will be Limited for cooks (NOC 63200) in Nunavut for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several new positions.

Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

In Nunavut, this occupation can be employed to support the workforce in industrial settings, such as at mining camps.

Local training is available. Nunavut Arctic College offers a two-year culinary arts diploma program.

Here are some key facts about cooks in Nunavut:

Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.

Cooks mainly work in the following sectors:

Tourism & Culture (NAICS 51, 71-72): 47%

Health care and social services (NAICS 62): 16%

Public Administration and Defence (NAICS 91): 15%

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 7%

The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:

Full-time workers: 76% compared to 87% for all occupations

Part-time workers: 24% compared to 13% for all occupations

52% of cooks work all year, while 48% work only part of the year, compared to 72% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 38 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.

The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:

Men: 28% compared to 51% for all occupations

Women: 72% compared to 49% for all occupations

The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:

no high school diploma: 46% compared to 37% for all occupations

high school diploma or equivalent: 22% compared to 22% for all occupations

apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 22% compared to 11% for all occupations

college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 5% compared to 15% for all occupations

bachelor's degree: 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

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 63200 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

Cooks, butchers and bakers

Questions

NOC 63200: common questions

What is the NOC code for cooks?
The NOC 2021 code is 63200 (Cooks). Job titles in this group include apprentice cook, cook, dietary cook, first cook, grill cook. Your NOC is set by your actual duties, not your job title.
What TEER category is NOC 63200?
NOC 63200 is TEER 3. Usually needs a college diploma, an apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training.
Is NOC 63200 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes. As a TEER 3 occupation it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, and it is also in a Federal Skilled Trades group. You still need to meet each program's other requirements.
Is NOC 63200 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
No. It is not on IRCC's list of 186 high-wage occupations, so work or a job offer in it does not earn the new high-wage CRS points from 3 November 2026.
Is NOC 63200 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
It is not on any of IRCC's 2026 occupation category lists. You can still be invited in general, program-specific or French-language draws.
What is the median wage for NOC 63200 in Canada?
The national median wage is $18.00 per hour, according to Job Bank (Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024). It ranges from $15.00 to $25.00.

Classification

Where it sits in NOC 2021

  1. 6Sales and service occupationsBroad Category
  2. 63Occupations in sales and servicesMajor Group
  3. 632Occupations in servicesSub-major Group
  4. 6320Cooks, butchers and bakersMinor Group
  5. 63200Cooks

Enquiry

Is NOC 63200 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.

The more context you give, the more useful the first conversation will be.

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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