Is NOC 31101 (Specialists in surgery) a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?

Yes. From November 3, 2026, NOC 31101 is in the 2× tier of IRCC’s high-wage list, meaning its national median wage is at least 2 times the median wage of the Canadian workforce (2023 to 2025 data).

How many CRS points does NOC 31101 give?

With 12 months or more of skilled Canadian work in NOC 31101, you add 70 points to your Canadian work-experience points. For example, a single candidate with 3 years of Canadian work goes from 64 to 134 points. A qualifying job offer in NOC 31101 is worth 100 points instead. You get the higher of the two routes, never both, capped at 150 points (140 with a spouse).

Do I need to earn 2× the median wage myself?

No. The tier comes from the occupation’s national median wage, not from your own salary. What matters is that your job’s main duties match NOC 31101 and that the work is skilled, paid, Canadian experience.

Can I combine months in different high-wage jobs?

To get the 70-point add-on, all 12 months must be in 2× occupations. Months here also count toward the 40-point (1.5×) and 20-point (1.3×) add-ons when combined with other high-wage jobs.

Which Express Entry programs accept NOC 31101?

As a TEER 1 occupation it counts as skilled work for the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

Which category draws include NOC 31101?

It is on IRCC’s list for the Healthcare and social services and Physicians with Canadian work experience categories, so you can also be invited in those category draws.

2× median wageTEER 1NOC 2021 Version 1.0

NOC 31101: Specialists in surgery

Specialists in surgery perform and supervise surgical procedures. Specialists in surgery usually work in hospitals. Residents in training to become specialists in surgery are included in this unit group.

Express Entry eligibility

Skilled work (TEER 0 to 3): yes, TEER 1.
Canadian Experience Class: counts as skilled Canadian work (1 year in the last 3 years).
Federal Skilled Worker Program: counts as skilled work (1 year of continuous work in the last 10 years).
Federal Skilled Trades Program: not one of the eligible trades.
High-wage occupation (from November 3, 2026): yes, 2× tier.

TEER 1: Occupations that usually need a university degree. Every program has other requirements too, such as language test results and, for FSW, a points test.

Category-based draws

Healthcare and social services
At least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in this occupation within the last 3 years, in Canada or abroad.
Physicians with Canadian work experience
At least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in this occupation within the last 3 years, in Canada.

Category lists checked on canada.ca on 2026-10-17. IRCC category-based selection

CRS points for work in NOC 31101

With 12+ months of Canadian work here, from November 3, 2026, by years of skilled Canadian work:

Canadian work CRS points with 12 or more months in NOC 31101
Years in Canada	Single, today	Single, Nov 3	With spouse, today	With spouse, Nov 3
1	40	110	35	105
2	53	123	46	116
3	64	134	56	126
4	72	142	63	133
5 or more	80	150	70	140

See Canadian work points and the median-wage rule.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

General surgeons
Treat diseases, injuries, and deformities by invasive, minimally-invasive, or non-invasive surgical methods, such as using instruments, appliances, or by manual manipulation.
Obstetricians and gynecologists
Provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth. Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general medical care to women. May perform both medical and gynecological surgery functions.
Ophthalmologists
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries of the eyes and related structures.
Urologists
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the renal glands.
Other specialists in surgery
Assess patients' diseases or disorders to determine appropriate surgical procedures.
Perform and supervise surgical procedures to correct physical abnormalities and deficiencies and repair injuries.
Act as consultants to other physicians.

For Express Entry your duties must match the lead statement and most of the main duties above.

Example job titles

cardiac surgeon
general surgeon
neurosurgeon
obstetrician-gynecologist
ophthalmologist
orthopedic surgeon
orthopedist
otorhinolaryngologist
pediatric surgeon
plastic surgeon
thoracic surgeon
urologist
vascular surgeon

Employment requirements

A bachelor's degree or in Quebec, completion of a college program and one year of pre-medicine university studies is usually required.
Graduation from an approved medical school and specific specialty training are required.
Completion of the certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and licensing by the provincial or territorial licensing authority are required.
Five to six years of specialty residency training are required.
Two years of subspecialty training may also be required.

Similar jobs with a different code

Common questions

Is NOC 31101 (Specialists in surgery) a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?: Yes. From November 3, 2026, NOC 31101 is in the 2× tier of IRCC’s high-wage list, meaning its national median wage is at least 2 times the median wage of the Canadian workforce (2023 to 2025 data).
How many CRS points does NOC 31101 give?: With 12 months or more of skilled Canadian work in NOC 31101, you add 70 points to your Canadian work-experience points. For example, a single candidate with 3 years of Canadian work goes from 64 to 134 points. A qualifying job offer in NOC 31101 is worth 100 points instead. You get the higher of the two routes, never both, capped at 150 points (140 with a spouse).
Do I need to earn 2× the median wage myself?: No. The tier comes from the occupation’s national median wage, not from your own salary. What matters is that your job’s main duties match NOC 31101 and that the work is skilled, paid, Canadian experience.
Can I combine months in different high-wage jobs?: To get the 70-point add-on, all 12 months must be in 2× occupations. Months here also count toward the 40-point (1.5×) and 20-point (1.3×) add-ons when combined with other high-wage jobs.
Which Express Entry programs accept NOC 31101?: As a TEER 1 occupation it counts as skilled work for the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Which category draws include NOC 31101?: It is on IRCC’s list for the Healthcare and social services and Physicians with Canadian work experience categories, so you can also be invited in those category draws.

Other 2× high-wage occupations

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Find any NOC code · All high-wage occupations · Source: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0

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