NOC 51120: Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
What producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations do
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.
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.
Job titles under NOC 51120
57 job titles are classified here, including artistic director - motion picture, choreographer, cyber-choreographer.
- 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
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.
Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations wages in Canada
Low, median and high hourly wages from Job Bank’s 2025 wage data. Annual figures assume full-time work (1,950 hours a year).
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Canada | $22.00/hr | $41.03/hr | $70.00/hr |
Toronto ON | $18.27/hr | $40.38/hr | $50.48/hr |
Montréal QC | $26.28/hr | $40.02/hr | $64.88/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $24.60/hr | $42.85/hr | $70.00/hr |
Calgary AB | $25.58/hr | $35.49/hr | $55.19/hr |
Edmonton AB | $25.66/hr | $35.39/hr | $56.70/hr |
Ottawa ON | $27.33/hr | $38.83/hr | $60.17/hr |
Winnipeg MB | $24.29/hr | $33.66/hr | $54.81/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $22.22/hr | $40.00/hr | $58.79/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $28.16/hr | $39.12/hr | $60.58/hr |
Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie region, ON | $26.17/hr | $37.63/hr | $58.45/hr |
London ON | $26.43/hr | $37.54/hr | $54.46/hr |
Halifax NS | $20.16/hr | $32.49/hr | $55.00/hr |
Victoria Vancouver Island and Coast region, BC | $23.23/hr | $38.25/hr | $63.00/hr |
Saskatoon Saskatoon–Biggar region, SK | $20.00/hr | $26.85/hr | $33.65/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | $25.17/hr | $35.85/hr | $51.60/hr |
Nova Scotia | $20.08/hr | $31.68/hr | $54.48/hr |
New Brunswick | $23.56/hr | $34.53/hr | $50.44/hr |
Quebec | $22.22/hr | $40.00/hr | $58.79/hr |
Ontario | $18.27/hr | $39.90/hr | $56.65/hr |
Manitoba | $24.29/hr | $38.94/hr | $54.81/hr |
Saskatchewan | $20.00/hr | $26.85/hr | $33.65/hr |
Alberta | $23.96/hr | $35.97/hr | $49.45/hr |
British Columbia | $24.58/hr | $41.99/hr | $69.53/hr |
Using NOC 51120 for your resume or Express Entry profile
- IRCC asks you to make sure the main duties listed for your NOC match what you actually did at your job. If they don’t, look for another unit group whose duties do.
- Describe your own work in your own words. Recruiters and ATS software look for concrete tools, results and scope, not text copied from the NOC.
- Applying from outside Canada? Run your resume through the Canadian resume format checker to catch things Canadian employers don’t expect, like a photo or date of birth.
- Use the job title the employer’s posting uses. The 57 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Managers - publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts (NOC 50011)
- Photographers and support occupations in arts and culture (See 5311 Photographers and support occupations in arts and culture)
- Technical occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts (See 5211 Technical occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations?
Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations are NOC 2021 unit group 51120. Example job titles in this group include artistic director - motion picture, choreographer, cyber-choreographer, director - motion picture.
What TEER is NOC 51120?
NOC 51120 is TEER 1 (University degree). Usually requires a university degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate), or experience from a related TEER 2 occupation. TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 work counts as skilled work experience for Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class programs.
How much do producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $41.03/hr, about $80,000 a year full-time, with a range of $22.00/hr to $70.00/hr.
Related occupations
Sources: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0; Employment and Social Development Canada, Job Bank wages (2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. OfferJetAI is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Check IRCC’s NOC guidance before you apply.