Is NOC 41220 (Secondary school teachers) a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?

Yes. From November 3, 2026, NOC 41220 is in the 1.5× tier of IRCC’s high-wage list, meaning its national median wage is at least 1.5 times, but less than 2 times, the median wage of the Canadian workforce (2023 to 2025 data).

How many CRS points does NOC 41220 give?

With 12 months or more of skilled Canadian work in NOC 41220, you add 40 points to your Canadian work-experience points. For example, a single candidate with 3 years of Canadian work goes from 64 to 104 points. A qualifying job offer in NOC 41220 is worth 70 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 1.5× 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 41220 and that the work is skilled, paid, Canadian experience.

Can I combine months in different high-wage jobs?

Months here combine with months in 2× occupations for the 40-point add-on, and with any high-wage occupation for the 20-point add-on.

Which Express Entry programs accept NOC 41220?

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 41220?

It is on IRCC’s list for the Education category, so you can also be invited in those category draws.

1.5× median wageTEER 1NOC 2021 Version 1.0

NOC 41220: Secondary school teachers

Secondary school teachers prepare and teach academic, technical, vocational or specialized subjects at public and private secondary schools. Secondary school teachers who are heads of departments 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, 1.5× 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

Education
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.

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

CRS points for work in NOC 41220

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 41220
Years in Canada	Single, today	Single, Nov 3	With spouse, today	With spouse, Nov 3
1	40	80	35	75
2	53	93	46	86
3	64	104	56	96
4	72	112	63	103
5 or more	80	120	70	110

See Canadian work points and the median-wage rule.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Prepare subject material for presentation to students according to an approved curriculum
Teach students using a systematic plan of lectures, discussions, audio-visual presentations, and laboratory, shop and field studies
Assign and correct homework
Prepare, administer and correct tests
Evaluate progress, determine individual needs of students and discuss results with parents and school officials
Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help
Participate in staff meetings, educational conferences and teacher training workshops
May teach and evaluate students through distance or online courses
May advise students on course selection and on vocational and personal matters
May supervise student teachers.
Secondary school teachers may specialize in such areas as mathematics, English, French, special education or second language instruction. Secondary school teachers of vocational and trades subjects may specialize in areas such as hairdressing or auto mechanics.

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

Example job titles

adult education teacher - secondary school
biology teacher - secondary school
commerce teacher - secondary school
English as a second language (ESL) high school teacher
English teacher - secondary school
French as a second language teacher - secondary school
history teacher - secondary school
librarian-teacher - high school
remedial teacher - secondary school
secondary school department head
secondary school teacher
special education teacher - secondary school
supply high school teacher
trades instructor - secondary school
vocational teacher - secondary school

Employment requirements

Teachers of academic subjects require a bachelor's degree in education which is often preceded by a bachelor's degree in the arts or sciences.
Teachers of vocational or technical subjects require a bachelor's degree in education which is usually preceded by specialized training or experience in the subject.
Instructors of trades in Quebec require completion of an apprenticeship training program and industry or trade certification.
Department heads usually require several years of teaching experience.
To specialize in special education or English or French as a second language, additional training is required.
A provincial teaching certificate is required.
Membership in a provincial or territorial teachers' association or federation may be required.

Similar jobs with a different code

Common questions

Is NOC 41220 (Secondary school teachers) a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?: Yes. From November 3, 2026, NOC 41220 is in the 1.5× tier of IRCC’s high-wage list, meaning its national median wage is at least 1.5 times, but less than 2 times, the median wage of the Canadian workforce (2023 to 2025 data).
How many CRS points does NOC 41220 give?: With 12 months or more of skilled Canadian work in NOC 41220, you add 40 points to your Canadian work-experience points. For example, a single candidate with 3 years of Canadian work goes from 64 to 104 points. A qualifying job offer in NOC 41220 is worth 70 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 1.5× 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 41220 and that the work is skilled, paid, Canadian experience.
Can I combine months in different high-wage jobs?: Months here combine with months in 2× occupations for the 40-point add-on, and with any high-wage occupation for the 20-point add-on.
Which Express Entry programs accept NOC 41220?: 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 41220?: It is on IRCC’s list for the Education category, so you can also be invited in those category draws.

Other 1.5× high-wage occupations

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See your CRS score with NOC 41220

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