As of October 21, 2026. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published the list of 186 high-wage occupations that will earn extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points in Express Entry from November 3, 2026. The list has three levels: 31 National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes at twice the median wage or more, 89 at 1.5 times, and 66 at 1.3 times. Your level decides your points: up to 70 for Canadian work experience or up to 100 for a qualifying job offer. Search the full list below by job title or NOC code.
Is your job on the high-wage list?
Type your job title or five-digit NOC code into the search below. The table shows every occupation on IRCC's high-wage occupations list, the level it falls in, and the points it can earn from November 3, 2026. Occupation names are IRCC's official NOC titles, so search for the general term (for example "nurse", "engineer" or "developer") rather than your exact job title at work.
Search the high-wage occupations list
What counts is the median wage for everyone in Canada in your NOC code, not your own salary. A software developer earning $60,000 still gets the points for NOC 21232; a cook earning $90,000 does not, because NOC 63200 is not on the list.
How many points does each level earn?
Each level earns a fixed number of points, set out in IRCC's October 16, 2026 backgrounder. You get either the work experience bonus or the job offer points, whichever is higher, never both. All 186 codes start earning points on November 3, 2026.
| Level on the list | NOC codes | Work experience bonus (12+ months in Canada) | Qualifying job offer |
|---|
| 2 times the median wage or more | 31 | 70 | 100 |
| 1.5 to under 2 times | 89 | 40 | 70 |
| 1.3 to under 1.5 times | 66 | 20 | 50 |
| Total | 186 | | |
The work experience bonus is on top of the usual points for years of Canadian experience (up to 80 for five years). Labour market points are capped at 150 for a single candidate and 140 with an accompanying spouse or partner. Our November 3 changes guide explains the rules in full.
Which popular jobs are not on the list?
Many of the jobs newcomers most often hold are missing, including most of the skilled trades. We compared 16 common occupations against IRCC's list on October 21, 2026, and only 7 of them are on it. Regular electricians (NOC 72200) are not on it, while industrial electricians (NOC 72201) are, at the 1.3 level. That one-digit difference is worth 20 to 50 points, so make sure your profile uses the NOC code that matches your actual duties.
| Common occupation | NOC | On the high-wage list? |
|---|
| Registered nurses | NOC 31301 | Yes, 1.5 times |
| Licensed practical nurses | NOC 32101 | No |
| Nurse aides and personal support workers | NOC 33102 | No |
| Software developers and programmers | NOC 21232 | Yes, 1.5 times |
| Web developers and programmers | NOC 21234 | Yes, 1.3 times |
| Financial auditors and accountants | NOC 11100 | Yes, 1.3 times |
| Electricians (except industrial and power system) | NOC 72200 | No |
| Industrial electricians | NOC 72201 | Yes, 1.3 times |
| Carpenters | NOC 72310 | No |
| Plumbers | NOC 72300 | No |
| Welders | NOC 72106 | No |
| Transport truck drivers | NOC 73300 | No |
| Cooks | NOC 63200 | No |
| Early childhood educators | NOC 42202 | No |
| Secondary school teachers | NOC 41220 | Yes, 1.5 times |
| General practitioners and family physicians | NOC 31102 | Yes, 2 times |
Not being on the list does not shut you out. The new points are one factor. The announcement does not change IRCC's category-based draws for health care, trades, French speakers and other groups, and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) remains open in most provinces.
How do you find your NOC code?
Your NOC code comes from your duties, not your job title. Use the federal NOC search tool to find the code whose main duties match at least most of what you actually do, and check the training, experience and education level (TEER) it belongs to. Express Entry work experience generally has to be in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
An officer will compare your NOC code with your reference letters. If your letters describe the duties of a different code, IRCC can refuse the application or find misrepresentation. Choose the code that is accurate, even if a neighbouring one is on the list and yours is not.
What should you do before November 3, 2026?
If you have a job offer in an occupation on the list, update your Express Entry profile before November 3, 2026. IRCC's job offer page explains what to enter. IRCC will recalculate everyone's scores automatically on November 3 and has said invitation rounds will pause for up to two weeks while it does.
- Check your NOC code against the list above and against your reference letters.
- Add or correct your job offer in your profile now; IRCC can only score what it sees.
- Remember the level is locked at invitation. If IRCC updates the list after you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), the level on your ITA date applies.
- Rerun your score with our CRS calculator and follow the latest draws.
If your job is not on the list, or you are not sure which NOC code fits, our licensed consultant can check your duties and show you the routes that do fit. Book a consultation.
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Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.
