NOC 53111: Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators
What motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators do
Assistants and operators in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts perform duties related to these fields. They are employed by television and radio stations and networks, recording studios, motion picture and video production companies and by theatre and stage companies.
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Camera crane operators
- Set up, assemble, adjust, maintain and replace reels and projector equipment; detect and repair mechanical and electrical problems; and change and install an electronic control panel using automated equipment.
- Motion picture projectionists
- Check the condition of the copy; set up and load film reels on movie theatre projection systems, adjust focus, sound levels and other projector and theatre settings; and maintain projection equipment.
- Props persons and set builders
- Assemble, repair, place, build and oversee props.
- Script assistants
- Distribute scripts to actors; keep detailed notes of all actions, positions and camera angles; and photograph and date scenes.
- Grips and riggers
- Rig, place, move and dismantle sets, backdrops, scenery and other stage equipment.
- Dressers
- Clean, maintain, transport and store costumes, and assist performers to dress in costumes.
- Production assistants
- Provide support to the director and producer, and are responsible for various aspects of production such as preparing schedules, setting up equipment, and making travel arrangements to various shooting locations.
Job titles under NOC 53111
59 job titles are classified here, including boom grip, camera crane operator, dresser - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts.
- artistic rigger
- audiovisual (AV) assistant
- audiovisual (AV) assistant - motion pictures and broadcasting
- best boy
- boom grip
- boom microphone operator
- boom operator
- camera crane operator
- circus rigger
- continuity person - motion pictures and broadcasting
- dolly operator - motion pictures and broadcasting
- dolly pusher - motion pictures and broadcasting
- dresser - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- duplicate-film examiner - motion pictures and broadcasting
- entertainment stage rigger
- film projectionist
- film quality inspector
- fireworks handler
- flyman/woman
- focus puller
- grip
- lighting assistant
- motion picture examiner
- motion picture projectionist
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Most occupations in this unit group require completion of college courses in broadcasting, theatre arts or a related field or A period of on-the-job training.
- Certification for projectionists is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick. In Quebec, projectionists are regulated under operators of electrical machines, cinema equipment.
- Projectionists are required to be licensed by their province of employment.
Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators 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 | $18.00/hr | $26.80/hr | $40.00/hr |
Toronto ON | $18.09/hr | $27.00/hr | $40.00/hr |
Montréal QC | $20.00/hr | $30.00/hr | $40.00/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $17.85/hr | $30.00/hr | $42.00/hr |
Calgary AB | $18.50/hr | $32.15/hr | $39.00/hr |
Ottawa ON | $17.60/hr | $24.52/hr | $35.00/hr |
Winnipeg MB | $16.35/hr | $25.83/hr | $37.00/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $20.00/hr | $28.00/hr | $40.00/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $18.54/hr | $25.43/hr | $37.23/hr |
Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie region, ON | $17.60/hr | $20.00/hr | $35.00/hr |
London ON | $18.00/hr | $21.00/hr | $28.50/hr |
Halifax NS | $19.00/hr | $31.00/hr | $38.00/hr |
Victoria Vancouver Island and Coast region, BC | $21.00/hr | $27.50/hr | $38.71/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.25/hr | $25.31/hr | $35.00/hr |
Nova Scotia | $17.00/hr | $25.48/hr | $36.87/hr |
New Brunswick | $15.85/hr | $23.00/hr | $37.47/hr |
Quebec | $20.00/hr | $28.00/hr | $40.00/hr |
Ontario | $18.00/hr | $24.00/hr | $38.00/hr |
Manitoba | $16.35/hr | $25.00/hr | $35.62/hr |
Alberta | $17.87/hr | $29.00/hr | $40.03/hr |
British Columbia | $17.85/hr | $30.00/hr | $41.94/hr |
Using NOC 53111 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 59 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Audio and video recording technicians (NOC 52113)
- Broadcast technicians (NOC 52112)
- Film and video camera operators (NOC 52110)
- Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts (NOC 52119)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators?
Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators are NOC 2021 unit group 53111. Example job titles in this group include boom grip, camera crane operator, dresser - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts, lighting assistant.
What TEER is NOC 53111?
NOC 53111 is TEER 3 (College or apprenticeship (under 2 years)). Usually requires a college program or apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than six months of on-the-job training. 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 motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $26.80/hr, about $52,000 a year full-time, with a range of $18.00/hr to $40.00/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.