Is My Occupation on Express Entry's New High-Wage List?
IRCC has published a list of 186 high-wage occupations, sorted into three levels. If your occupation is on it, you may earn extra Express Entry points from November 3, 2026: up to 70 for Canadian work experience or up to 100 for a job offer. What counts is your occupation's NOC code, not your own salary, so the first step is confirming the right NOC for the duties you actually perform.
What is the high-wage occupations list?
From November 3, Express Entry's new Labour Market Integration factor rewards Canadian work experience and job offers in high-wage occupations. IRCC defines an occupation as high-wage when the median wage of everyone in Canada in that NOC is at least 1.3 times the median wage of the overall Canadian workforce.
IRCC sets the list using data from Job Bank, the Labour Force Survey and the Census, looking at the last three years. The current list uses 2023–2025 data. You can find it on IRCC's high-wage occupations page.
The three levels and what they're worth
| Level | Number of occupations | Work experience bonus | Job offer points |
|---|---|---|---|
| At least 2× the national median wage | 31 | 70 | 100 |
| 1.5× to under 2× | 89 | 40 | 70 |
| 1.3× to under 1.5× | 66 | 20 | 50 |
Work experience bonus points are added to your existing points for years of Canadian experience. You get either the work experience total or the job offer points, whichever is higher, up to 150. Read the full breakdown in our guide to the November 3 changes.
Examples of occupations on the list
| NOC | Occupation | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 10010 | Financial managers | 2× |
| 31102 | General practitioners and family physicians | 2× |
| 41101 | Lawyers and Quebec notaries | 2× |
| 21231 | Software engineers and designers | 1.5× |
| 21232 | Software developers and programmers | 1.5× |
| 21211 | Data scientists | 1.5× |
| 31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 1.5× |
| 31120 | Pharmacists | 1.5× |
| 21300 | Civil engineers | 1.5× |
| 72202 | Power system electricians | 1.5× |
| 72600 | Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors | 1.5× |
| 11100 | Financial auditors and accountants | 1.3× |
| 72201 | Industrial electricians | 1.3× |
Some common skilled occupations are not on the list, including electricians (NOC 72200), construction millwrights (72400) and automotive service technicians (72410). Always confirm your code on IRCC's official list before relying on any example here.
How do I find my NOC code?
- Search the National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021) on the Government of Canada's NOC website using keywords from your job.
- Read the lead statement and main duties of each likely match. Choose the code whose description fits what you actually do, not your job title.
- Check your reference letters. They should describe duties that match the NOC you choose.
- Look up that NOC on IRCC's high-wage list to see whether it qualifies, and at which level.
If two codes seem to fit, get advice before you choose. The wrong NOC can mean claiming points you can't support.
How does high-wage experience count?
- You need at least 12 months (1,560 hours) of Canadian experience in high-wage occupations.
- It can be full-time or an equal amount of part-time, and doesn't have to be continuous.
- You can combine experience from more than one eligible job.
- If you held jobs at the same time, hours count only up to full-time (30 hours a week).
The experience must still meet Express Entry's usual rules for Canadian work experience.
What if my occupation isn't on the list?
You won't get the new high-wage bonus, but you don't lose anything either. You still get the same points for years of Canadian work experience as before. Other options may still help, such as improving your language scores, other ways to raise your CRS score, category-based draws for your occupation, or a provincial nomination.
Can the list change?
Yes. IRCC will update the list over time as wage data changes. If the list changes after you receive an invitation to apply (ITA), IRCC uses the level in effect on the date you were invited.
Common mistakes we expect to see
- Assuming a high salary qualifies you. Only the occupation's national median wage counts.
- Switching NOC codes to reach the list. Your duties decide your NOC. Changing it without real support is a misrepresentation risk.
- Counting too little experience. Less than 12 months in high-wage occupations earns no bonus.
Every situation is different. Book a consultation with Osaro Ezomo, RCIC, for a review of yours.
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Frequently asked questions
How many occupations are on Express Entry's high-wage list?
186 NOC codes: 31 at the highest level (at least twice the national median wage), 89 at 1.5 times, and 66 at 1.3 times.
Is the high-wage list based on my salary?
No. It's based on the national median wage of your occupation's NOC code. Your own salary doesn't change which level you're in.
Are software developers on the high-wage list?
Yes. Software developers and programmers (NOC 21232) and software engineers and designers (NOC 21231) are at the 1.5 times level.
Are registered nurses on the high-wage list?
Yes. Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301) are at the 1.5 times level.
When does the high-wage list take effect?
November 3, 2026, alongside the new Labour Market Integration factor in Express Entry.
Fact-checked: Based on IRCC's High-wage occupations and how we assess them and 2026 Express Entry changes pages. Occupation levels cross-checked against published copies of the list. Verified October 28, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules change often. For advice on your situation, speak with a licensed immigration professional.
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), licence #R711785. Osaro is the principal consultant at GLC Immigration Consulting in Calgary, Alberta, helping clients with Express Entry, provincial nomination, work and study permits and family sponsorship.
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