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NOC 63201 is the Canadian National Occupational Classification code for Butchers - retail and wholesale. It is classified TEER 3 — College diploma, shorter apprenticeship or 6+ months training, which meets the skill requirement for Express Entry. An officer decides whether you can claim this code by comparing the duties written in your reference letter against the official main duties below — not by your job title.
Classification
Sales & service
6 › 63 › 632 › 6320
Definition
Butchers prepare standard and specialty cuts of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish for sale in retail or wholesale food establishments. They are employed in supermarkets, grocery stores, butcher shops and fish stores or may be self-employed. Butchers who are supervisors or heads of departments are included in this unit group. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main duties
Example job titles
Express Entry category draws
NOC 63201 is in the “Trades” group used for category-based Express Entry draws.
Overview
NOC 63201 covers butchers, meat cutters, and fishmongers in both retail and wholesale sectors. Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, this occupation falls under TEER 3. This classification is highly relevant for skilled immigration to Canada, as TEER 3 occupations are eligible for key economic immigration pathways, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under the Express Entry system, as well as various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
According to the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) guidelines, professionals in this unit group perform duties such as cutting, trimming, and preparing standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish for sale. They are employed in supermarkets, grocery stores, butcher shops, fish markets, or wholesale food distributors. Their responsibilities may also include grinding meats, slicing cooked meats, preparing special displays, and ensuring compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations.
To qualify under NOC 63201, candidates typically require completion of secondary school. Additionally, completion of a college program in meat cutting, a registered three-year apprenticeship program, or several years of on-the-job training as a butcher or meat cutter is standard. Trade certification is available but voluntary in some provinces.
Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.
Yes — Butchers - retail and wholesale is TEER 3, and TEER 0–3 occupations meet the skill-level requirement for Express Entry programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. Full eligibility also depends on your work experience, language results and other program criteria.
Butchers - retail and wholesale is classified as TEER 3 — College diploma, shorter apprenticeship or 6+ months training. Always confirm the exact employment requirements on the official NOC profile before relying on them.
Yes — it's in the “Trades” group. The latest Trades round (April 2, 2026) invited 3000 candidates with a CRS cut-off of 477.
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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.