Canada TEER Categories Explained for International Job Seekers

If you are searching for jobs in Canada from another country, you may notice that Canadian job and immigration information frequently refers to TEER categories.

You might see terms such as TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2 or TEER 3 in immigration requirements, NOC information and Canadian employment resources.

At first, these numbers can seem complicated.

They are actually part of Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, which organizes occupations according to the type of work and the training, education, experience and responsibilities normally associated with them. Canada moved to NOC 2021 on November 16, 2022.

For an international job seeker, understanding TEER can help you interpret Canadian occupation information and determine how your work experience may fit certain immigration programs.

However, a TEER category by itself does not guarantee a job, work permit or permanent residence.

TEER in Simple Terms

TEER stands for:

Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities.

The NOC system has six TEER categories:

• TEER 0 — Management occupations
• TEER 1 — Occupations that usually require a university degree
• TEER 2 — Occupations that usually require a college diploma, longer apprenticeship training, or supervisory responsibilities
• TEER 3 — Occupations that usually require a shorter post-secondary credential, shorter apprenticeship or substantial on-the-job training
• TEER 4 — Occupations that usually require high school education or several weeks of on-the-job training
• TEER 5 — Occupations that usually require short-term work demonstration and little or no formal education

These categories describe the typical requirements associated with occupations rather than determining the qualifications of every individual worker.

The TEER Scale at a Glance

TEER	General occupation type	Typical requirements
0	Management	Management responsibilities
1	Professional	Usually a university degree
2	Technical, supervisory and skilled trades	Often college diploma, longer apprenticeship or supervisory experience
3	Technical and skilled occupations	Often shorter post-secondary training, apprenticeship or substantial on-the-job training
4	Intermediate occupations	Usually high school education or several weeks of training
5	Labour and entry-level occupations	Usually short-term work demonstration and little formal education

This table is a general guide. The exact requirements depend on the individual NOC occupation.

TEER 0: Management Occupations

TEER 0 contains management occupations.

These jobs generally involve responsibility for an organization, department, business operation, team or other area of management.

Examples listed in Canada’s NOC system include:

• Financial managers
• Human resources managers
• Purchasing managers
• Advertising, marketing and public relations managers
• Other business services managers

For example, Financial managers are classified under NOC 10010 and TEER 0.

What international applicants should understand

TEER 0 does not simply mean “a senior job.”

The occupation must actually correspond to a management classification in the NOC system.

Someone with a job title such as “Senior Assistant” is not automatically TEER 0.

The actual duties and responsibilities determine the appropriate NOC.

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TEER 1: Professional Occupations

TEER 1 generally covers occupations that usually require a university degree.

Examples include:

• Software engineers and designers
• Financial advisors
• Financial auditors and accountants
• Engineers
• Physicians
• Pharmacists
• Teachers

For example, financial auditors and accountants are classified under NOC 11100 and TEER 1, while many professional healthcare and engineering occupations are also in TEER 1.

Does TEER 1 mean you must have a university degree?

The TEER category describes the typical requirement of the occupation.

It does not mean that every person must automatically hold the exact same credential in every situation.

Some occupations can have specific licensing, registration or other requirements.

If you are applying for a regulated profession, you should also investigate the licensing requirements of the province or territory where you want to work.

TEER 2: Technical, Supervisory and Skilled Occupations

TEER 2 covers a broad range of occupations.

Canada’s official description includes occupations that usually require:

• A college diploma
• Apprenticeship training of two or more years
• Or supervisory responsibilities

Examples include:

• Computer network and web technicians
• Engineering technologists and technicians
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Welders
• Certain technical occupations
• Some supervisory occupations

For example, electricians such as NOC 72200 and plumbers such as NOC 72300 are classified as TEER 2.

Why TEER 2 is important for job seekers

Many technical and skilled-trade occupations fall into TEER 2.

This means international workers with trade experience or technical backgrounds should not assume that only university-level occupations are relevant to Canada’s skilled-worker pathways.

TEER 3: Skilled and Intermediate Occupations

TEER 3 includes occupations that typically involve shorter post-secondary education, shorter apprenticeship training or substantial on-the-job training.

Examples include:

• Bakers
• Transport truck drivers
• Certain technical occupations
• Some skilled service occupations
• Various trades and production occupations

For example, transport truck drivers are classified under NOC 73300 and TEER 3. Canada’s current Express Entry information also includes several TEER 3 occupations in specific categories.

For an international applicant, TEER 3 can therefore be particularly relevant when researching skilled work opportunities that do not require a university degree.

TEER 4: Intermediate Occupations

TEER 4 generally includes occupations that typically require:

• High school education
• Several weeks of on-the-job training
• Or comparable workplace preparation

Examples can include certain service, sales, caregiving and support occupations.

The exact requirements vary by NOC.

This distinction is important because seeing “TEER 4” does not tell you everything about a particular job.

You still need to open the specific NOC occupation and review its duties and requirements.

TEER 5: Occupations With Short-Term Training

TEER 5 covers occupations that typically require short-term work demonstration and little or no formal education.

These can include certain labour and support occupations.

However, international job seekers should be careful when reading immigration information about TEER 5.

A job being classified under a particular TEER category does not automatically mean that the occupation qualifies for every Canadian immigration program.

The immigration program determines which occupations and work experience it accepts.

Why TEER Matters to International Job Seekers

The biggest reason to understand TEER is that Canadian immigration programs can use NOC and TEER classifications when defining eligible work experience.

For example, the Canadian Experience Class currently requires qualifying Canadian skilled work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3. The work must also meet other requirements, including being paid and involving the lead statement and most of the main duties of the applicable NOC.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program also requires qualifying skilled work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, along with other program requirements.

This is why TEER is more than a classification number for someone planning a Canadian immigration pathway.

TEER Does Not Decide Your Immigration Eligibility by Itself

This is one of the most important points to understand.

Suppose your occupation is TEER 2.

That does not automatically mean:

• You qualify for Express Entry
• You will receive an invitation
• You qualify for a work permit
• You qualify for permanent residence
• A Canadian employer must hire you

Your eligibility depends on the specific program and its complete requirements.

For Express Entry programs, factors such as work experience, language ability, education and other requirements can also matter.

Think of TEER as one classification within a larger assessment, not as an immigration visa category.

TEER and NOC Are Connected

You may sometimes hear someone say:

“My NOC is TEER 2.”

Technically, the NOC is the occupational classification and TEER is the category associated with it.

For example:

NOC 72200 — Electricians (except industrial and power system)
TEER 2

Or:

NOC 73300 — Transport truck drivers
TEER 3

Canada’s official NOC database lists occupations by their five-digit NOC codes and associated TEER categories.

Therefore, you should identify the correct NOC occupation first and then check its TEER category.

How to Find the TEER Category for Your Job

You do not need to guess.

Use this process.

Step 1: Write down your actual job

Start with your real occupation and responsibilities.

For example:

Electrician

Step 2: Search Canada’s NOC database

Use the official Canada.ca NOC resources to find possible occupational matches.

Step 3: Compare the duties

Do not select an occupation simply because the title looks similar.

Check whether the official NOC description matches the work you actually performed.

Step 4: Confirm the five-digit NOC

Once you have identified the appropriate occupation, note its current five-digit NOC code.

Step 5: Check the TEER category

The NOC entry will show the associated TEER category.

Step 6: Check your immigration program separately

If you are using the NOC for immigration purposes, read the specific requirements of the program you want to use.

Canada’s official guidance emphasizes choosing the NOC that most closely aligns with your actual work experience.

A Practical Example for an Overseas Worker

Imagine an applicant has worked as a transport truck driver outside Canada.

Their first step should not be:

“Which TEER category gives me the best immigration chance?”

Instead, the process should be:

Actual job → NOC occupation → Main duties → TEER category → Immigration program requirements

If their work genuinely corresponds to the Canadian NOC for transport truck drivers, they can then determine that the occupation is TEER 3.

After that, they still need to investigate whether their experience meets the requirements of the particular immigration pathway they are considering.

This order of research is much safer than choosing an occupation based on its TEER number.

Does a Higher TEER Mean a Better Job?

Not necessarily.

TEER categories are not a ranking system where TEER 0 is “better” than TEER 5.

They describe occupational requirements and responsibilities.

For example:

• A TEER 1 occupation may require a university degree.
• A TEER 2 occupation may involve technical training or skilled trades.
• A TEER 3 occupation may involve practical training or apprenticeship experience.

A skilled tradesperson can have a strong career without being in TEER 0 or TEER 1.

For international job seekers, the relevant question is not:

“What is the highest TEER?”

It is:

“Which NOC and TEER category accurately describes my occupation?”

Can a TEER 4 or TEER 5 Worker Immigrate to Canada?

There is no single answer for every immigration program.

Some federal economic immigration pathways have specific skilled-work requirements that focus on TEER 0–3.

For example, the Federal Skilled Worker Program currently requires qualifying work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.

However, other Canadian immigration programs can have different occupational rules.

For example, the Atlantic Immigration Program has specific relationships between the TEER category of the job offer and the TEER category of qualifying work experience. Its current requirements include pathways involving TEER 4 occupations.

This is why you should never conclude that a TEER 4 or TEER 5 occupation is either automatically eligible or automatically ineligible for Canadian immigration.

Check the exact program.

TEER and Express Entry: What You Should Know

TEER 0–3 work experience is especially important in the federal Express Entry programs.

Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class currently accepts qualifying skilled work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3. The experience must meet additional conditions, including paid work and the required amount of Canadian work experience.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program also requires skilled work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 and has additional requirements concerning the occupation, duties, timing and nature of the work experience.

Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program uses specific NOC groups and includes qualifying occupations in TEER 2 and TEER 3. A valid job offer, when used instead of a certificate of qualification, also has specific requirements.

The lesson is simple:

Do not stop at the TEER number.

Read the actual program requirements.

TEER and Express Entry Category-Based Selection

TEER can also appear in Canada’s current category-based selection information.

For example, Canada’s published Express Entry categories include occupations in healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport and other categories, with individual occupations identified by NOC 2021 codes and TEER categories.

For some current categories, eligibility depends on having qualifying work experience in a listed occupation during the specified period.

Therefore, being “TEER 1” or “TEER 2” alone does not place someone into a category.

The specific NOC occupation and the current round’s requirements matter.

What International Students and Graduates Should Understand

International students sometimes assume that graduating from a Canadian program automatically places their future job into a particular TEER category.

It does not.

Your occupation is classified based on the work you perform.

For example, two graduates from the same college program could eventually work in different occupations and therefore have different NOC codes and TEER categories.

Your education can help you qualify for a job, but the TEER category belongs to the occupation.

What Employers Should Know About TEER

Employers also encounter NOC and TEER classifications when dealing with certain foreign-worker and immigration processes.

The employer’s job classification should accurately represent the position being offered.

For example, Canada’s Employer Portal requires employers to provide information about the occupation and NOC code for certain temporary foreign worker processes.

An employer should not simply choose a favourable NOC because it appears easier for an applicant.

The classification should correspond to the actual position.

Common TEER Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Thinking TEER is a salary ranking

TEER does not tell you exactly how much a worker earns.

Mistake 2: Assuming TEER 0 is always better

The categories describe occupations, not career prestige.

Mistake 3: Choosing a NOC based only on the title

The actual duties matter.

Mistake 4: Assuming TEER 1 guarantees immigration eligibility

It does not.

Mistake 5: Ignoring provincial licensing

Some occupations have licensing or regulatory requirements regardless of TEER.

Mistake 6: Using an old NOC classification

Canada moved to NOC 2021 in November 2022. Current applications should be checked against the applicable NOC version.

Mistake 7: Looking only at TEER instead of the full program

Immigration programs can have additional requirements for experience, language, education and other factors.

A Quick TEER Checklist for Foreign Job Seekers

Before using your occupation in a Canadian job or immigration application, ask:

• What is my actual occupation?
• What are my main job duties?
• Which NOC 2021 occupation matches those duties?
• What is the five-digit NOC code?
• What TEER category does that NOC belong to?
• Does my intended immigration program accept this type of work experience?
• Do I need professional licensing or credential recognition?
• Can I provide evidence of my employment and duties?
• Have I checked the current Canada.ca requirements?

This checklist can prevent a common mistake: starting with an immigration category and then trying to make your work experience fit it.

Where to Verify Your TEER Category

The best source is Canada’s official NOC information.

Canada.ca — Find your National Occupational Classification (NOC) provides the current NOC 2021 system, TEER categories and occupation listings.

You can also review the specific immigration program you are considering on Canada.ca.

For example:

• Canadian Experience Class — check its current skilled-work requirements.
• Federal Skilled Worker Program — check its current qualifying occupation and work-experience requirements.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program — check the specific eligible NOC groups and job-offer rules.
• Express Entry category-based selection — check the current occupation lists and round-specific requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does TEER mean in Canada?

TEER means Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities. It is part of Canada’s NOC 2021 occupational classification system.

How many TEER categories are there?

There are six categories: TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Which TEER categories are considered skilled work for Express Entry?

For the Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Worker Program, qualifying skilled work generally falls within TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, subject to the other requirements of the applicable program.

Is TEER 1 better than TEER 3?

Not necessarily. TEER categories describe the typical training, education, experience and responsibilities associated with occupations. They are not a ranking of people’s careers or value.

Can a TEER 4 job qualify for Canadian immigration?

It depends on the immigration program. Some federal economic programs focus on TEER 0–3, while other programs have different rules and can include TEER 4 occupations.

Does my TEER category determine my salary?

No. TEER classification does not establish an individual’s salary. Wages depend on the occupation, employer, location, experience and other factors.

How do I find my TEER category?

First identify your correct NOC 2021 occupation by comparing your actual duties with the official NOC description. The NOC entry will show the associated TEER category.

Can I choose a TEER category that gives me better immigration options?

You should not choose a TEER category independently of your actual occupation. The NOC should accurately describe the work you performed, and the immigration program determines whether that experience qualifies.

Is TEER the same as NOC?

No. NOC is Canada’s occupational classification system, while TEER is the category used within NOC 2021 to describe occupations according to training, education, experience and responsibilities.

Conclusion

Canada’s TEER system gives international job seekers a useful way to understand how occupations are classified under NOC 2021.

The six categories run from TEER 0 for management occupations through TEER 5 for occupations generally requiring short-term work demonstration and little formal education.

But the most important point is that TEER should not be treated as an immigration shortcut.

Start with the work you actually perform, identify the correct NOC, confirm its TEER category and then compare that occupation with the requirements of the Canadian job or immigration program you are considering.

Canadian immigration rules and program requirements can change, so always verify current eligibility through official Canada.ca information before making an application or financial decision.