NOC 52111: Graphic arts technicians
What graphic arts technicians do
Graphic arts technicians assist in conceptualizing a project, interpreting design specifications or sketches, preparing the page make-up, lay-out and lettering, and preparing production materials for press, electronic or multimedia publishing. They are employed by publishing, communications, advertising, marketing, printing and multimedia establishments, and by television and film production companies. They may also be self-employed.
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Review the graphic designer's instructions
- Produce or assist in developing and producing design concepts
- Capture elements such as titles, text, drawings, illustrations, graphics, lettering and colour harmonization, using a computer
- Produce computerized images and drawings
- Digitize images using peripherals and transform them using retouching systems, graphic palettes or specialized software
- Perform the layout, page make-up and placement using the conceptual mock-ups provided
- Produce proofs and camera-ready materials and prepare film and any other prepress materials
- Paint or ink individual cells of 2-D or 3-D animated drawings according to animator's specifications using an electronic palette
- Lay out, draw or paint letters, figures, logos and designs for windows, advertisements, billboards, vehicles, books and publications using specialized software or painting equipment
- Work in an interdisciplinary environment.
Job titles under NOC 52111
52 job titles are classified here, including animated cartoon technician, animation painter, computer graphics technician.
- airbrush artist
- animated cartoon inker
- animated cartoon painter
- animated cartoon technician
- animated cartoons inker and painter
- animation camera operator
- animation inker
- animation painter
- apprentice sign painter
- art work assembler
- cartoon background artist
- compositor - animation
- compositor - film
- computer graphics design technician
- computer graphics operator
- computer graphics technician
- design assistant - advertising production
- digital graphic design technician
- graphic arts assembler
- graphic arts copy stylist
- graphic arts renderer
- graphic arts technician
- graphics technician
- hand painter - graphic arts
Employment requirements
- A college diploma in commercial or graphic arts, computer graphics or animated design is required.
- Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required.
- Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required.
Graphic arts technicians 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 | $20.75/hr | $34.96/hr | $67.31/hr |
Toronto ON | $23.19/hr | $36.08/hr | $58.00/hr |
Montréal QC | $25.00/hr | $30.00/hr | $44.12/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $27.50/hr | $47.50/hr | $67.00/hr |
Calgary AB | $23.68/hr | $31.07/hr | $44.53/hr |
Edmonton AB | $22.32/hr | $31.53/hr | $49.01/hr |
Ottawa ON | $21.09/hr | $34.63/hr | $56.70/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $20.00/hr | $28.60/hr | $48.08/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $21.09/hr | $34.63/hr | $56.70/hr |
Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie region, ON | $21.09/hr | $34.63/hr | $56.70/hr |
Halifax NS | $20.54/hr | $26.99/hr | $33.99/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Nova Scotia | $20.64/hr | $27.80/hr | $36.73/hr |
New Brunswick | $22.21/hr | $29.15/hr | $46.22/hr |
Quebec | $20.00/hr | $28.60/hr | $48.08/hr |
Ontario | $21.09/hr | $34.63/hr | $56.70/hr |
Manitoba | $18.21/hr | $25.87/hr | $56.92/hr |
Saskatchewan | $19.67/hr | $26.96/hr | $36.63/hr |
Alberta | $21.41/hr | $32.66/hr | $48.59/hr |
British Columbia | $26.86/hr | $46.39/hr | $66.95/hr |
Using NOC 52111 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 52 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations (NOC 94151)
- Correspondence, publication and regulatory clerks (NOC 14301)
- Desktop publishing (DTP) specialist (NOC 14112)
- Graphic designers and illustrators (NOC 52120)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for graphic arts technicians?
Graphic arts technicians are NOC 2021 unit group 52111. Example job titles in this group include animated cartoon technician, animation painter, computer graphics technician, graphics technician.
What TEER is NOC 52111?
NOC 52111 is TEER 2 (College diploma or apprenticeship (2+ years)). Usually requires a 2–3 year college program or a 2–5 year apprenticeship, or the occupation carries supervisory or significant safety responsibilities. 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 graphic arts technicians earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $34.96/hr, about $68,000 a year full-time, with a range of $20.75/hr to $67.31/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.