NOC 51121: Conductors, composers and arrangers
What conductors, composers and arrangers do
Conductors, composers and arrangers conduct bands and orchestras, compose musical works and arrange instrumental and vocal compositions. They are employed by symphony and chamber orchestras, bands, choirs, sound recording companies, and orchestras for ballet and opera performances, or they may be self-employed.
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Conductors
- Select and interpret musical works and lead bands, orchestras and choirs during rehearsals and performances.
- Composers
- Create musical compositions such as television and film scores, theme music, songs, symphonies and music for interactive products such as video games.
- Arrangers
- Adapt and modify musical compositions to convey desired themes and to suit particular instrumental and vocal performances.
- Conductors, composers and arrangers usually specialize in a particular genre of music such as classical, country, jazz or popular music.
Job titles under NOC 51121
34 job titles are classified here, including arranger, bandmaster, choir director.
- arranger
- artistic director - music
- author-composer-performer
- band conductor
- band director
- bandmaster
- chansonnier
- choir director
- choir leader
- choirmaster
- choral conductor
- choral director
- chorus master
- composer
- conductor
- copyist - music
- lyricist
- maestro
- motion picture musical director
- music adapter
- music arranger
- music copyist
- music director
- music writer
Employment requirements
- A university degree in music or completion of a program at a music academy, conservatory or school of music is usually required.
- A period of specialized study related to conducting, composing or arranging is usually required.
- Experience as a musician is required.
- Musical and creative talent and ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are important hiring criteria.
Conductors, composers and arrangers wages in Canada
Low, median and high annual salaries from Job Bank’s 2025 wage data.
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Canada | $32,867/yr | $36,000/yr | $101,000/yr |
Toronto ON | $37,561/yr | $38,000/yr | $117,000/yr |
Montréal QC | — | $33,109/yr | — |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | — | $37,929/yr | — |
Calgary AB | — | $32,867/yr | — |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $33,109/yr | $33,109/yr | $89,000/yr |
Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie region, ON | — | $40,000/yr | — |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Quebec | $33,109/yr | $33,109/yr | $89,000/yr |
Ontario | $37,561/yr | $39,600/yr | $117,000/yr |
Alberta | — | $32,867/yr | — |
British Columbia | — | $44,800/yr | — |
Using NOC 51121 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 34 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Musicians and singers (NOC 51122)
- Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations (NOC 51120)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for conductors, composers and arrangers?
Conductors, composers and arrangers are NOC 2021 unit group 51121. Example job titles in this group include arranger, bandmaster, choir director, composer.
What TEER is NOC 51121?
NOC 51121 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 conductors, composers and arrangers earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $36,000 a year, with a range of $32,867/yr to $101,000/yr.
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.