Canada PR for Elementary & Kindergarten Teachers (NOC 41220/41221) – Salaries, Immigration Pathways & Express Entry Draws

Why Canada Needs Teachers Like You

Close your eyes for a second—who was that one teacher you’ll never forget? Maybe it was the kindergarten teacher who tied your shoelaces when you couldn’t. Or the Grade 3 teacher who said, “You’re really good at numbers,” when no one else noticed.

That’s what Canada needs right now.

The country’s classrooms are getting crowded, French immersion programs are growing like wildfire, and thousands of experienced teachers are about to retire. The short version? There aren’t enough educators to go around.

That’s why elementary and kindergarten teachers aren’t just valued here—they’re being actively recruited through Canada’s immigration system. If you’ve ever wondered whether Canada could be your next chapter, the odds are tilting in your favor.

Understanding the NOC Codes

Let’s clear up the official stuff, because NOC codes can sound like alphabet soup at first.

• NOC 41220 – Elementary school teachers (typically Grades 1–6).
• NOC 41221 – Kindergarten teachers (pre-elementary, the foundation years).
• TEER 1 classification – Translation: these are considered high-skilled jobs, usually requiring a Bachelor of Education.

Don’t confuse this with Early Childhood Educators (NOC 42202). They’re usually in daycare or preschool settings. Elementary and kindergarten teachers are licensed professionals in the formal school system. Totally different lane.

And yes, if you want to teach in Canada, you’ll need a provincial teaching license. Each province has its own regulatory body (Ontario College of Teachers, BC Teachers’ Council, and so on). No license, no classroom.

A Day in the Life of a Teacher in Canada

Teaching here isn’t just “open the book, read the lesson.” Far from it.

One morning you’re introducing multiplication tables, by lunch you’re calming down a playground squabble, and by evening you’re knee-deep in prep for parent-teacher conferences. It’s equal parts exhausting and rewarding.

Here’s the gist of the role:

• Lesson Planning – Breaking complex concepts into bite-sized lessons.
• Assessment – Tracking each child’s progress, even when the class is a mix of learners.
• Classroom Management – Keeping 20–25 kids focused (no small feat).
• Inclusive Teaching – Adjusting for English/French language learners and children with special needs.
• Parent Communication – From weekly notes to face-to-face chats.

Some days you’ll leave buzzing with joy; other days you’ll wonder how you’ll get up and do it all again. But Canada values the work—and pays accordingly.

Teacher Salaries Across Canada

Let’s be honest: passion is one thing, but paychecks matter too.

Based on Job Bank 2025 figures, here’s the ballpark:

• Ontario: ~$85,000/year ($45–$52/hr)
• British Columbia: ~$80,000/year ($43–$50/hr)
• Alberta: ~$82,000/year ($44–$51/hr)
• Quebec: ~$75,000/year ($40–$47/hr)
• Manitoba & Saskatchewan: ~$78,000/year ($42–$48/hr)
• Atlantic provinces: ~$70,000/year ($37–$44/hr)

Where’s demand the highest?

Ontario, Alberta, and BC—especially if you can handle STEM subjects, French immersion, or remote placements.

Rural schools, in particular, often hire faster simply because local candidates aren’t lining up.

The Future of Teaching in Canada

Here’s the reality: demand isn’t dipping anytime soon.

• Retirements – A significant wave of teachers is stepping away in the next decade.
• Bilingual programs – French immersion keeps expanding, especially outside Quebec.
• Rural shortages – Smaller towns and northern communities are scrambling to fill classrooms.

For internationally trained teachers, that’s actually a silver lining. Canada’s immigration system increasingly leans on foreign educators to fill these gaps.

Recent Express Entry & PNP Draws – How Teachers Are Being Selected

Elementary and kindergarten teachers are among the five occupations targeted under Canada’s Education category-based Express Entry draws. Here’s what you should know if you’re in this field and considering immigration.

Express Entry Education Draws in 2025

Canada held two category-based draws for education occupations in 2025:

Scores dropped from 479 in May to 462 in September, showing growing opportunities for teachers.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in 2025

• No province ran teacher-specific PNP draws this year.
• Provinces like BC, Ontario, and Manitoba continue to invite through general draws or employer-driven pathways.
• For teachers, the realistic PNP option is usually through an employer-supported nomination or general human capital streams.

Draw Summary

• 2 draws in 2025 specifically included elementary & kindergarten teachers.
• Total ITAs issued: 3,500.
• CRS scores ranged: 479 → 462.
• PNPs: No direct teacher-targeted draws, but employer-driven nominations remain possible.

In 2025, 3,500 invitations went to candidates in the education stream, giving elementary and kindergarten teachers a strong opportunity to secure permanent residence.

Immigration Pathways: How Teachers Get Selected

This is where it gets exciting.

• Express Entry – Since 2023, Canada’s been holding category-based draws for educators. That means you’re not lumped in with engineers or IT specialists—you’re competing in your own field.
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) – Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and New Brunswick all recruit teachers directly.
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) – A lifeline for schools in smaller provinces that can’t hire fast enough.

If you’re a licensed teacher abroad, you’ve got real pathways to PR.

PR Options for Teachers

Here are the main doors you can knock on:

• Express Entry (FSWP or CEC) – The fastest, most straightforward if you meet the CRS points cut-off.
• PNPs – Many provinces have teacher-focused or in-demand occupation lists:
• Ontario: Employer Job Offer stream
• Manitoba & Alberta: Occupations in demand
• Atlantic provinces: Teacher hiring through rural/small school networks
• Employer Job Offer – A contract in hand from a Canadian school can boost your PR chances dramatically.

From Temporary Resident to PR

Not every teacher arrives as a permanent resident. Some take the “foot-in-the-door” approach:

1. Get your credentials assessed (ECA).
2. Apply for a provincial teaching license.
3. Start teaching on a work permit.
4. Apply for PR through Canadian Experience Class or a PNP once you’ve built local work history.

Others start out as international students—finishing a diploma, upgrading credentials, or even redoing their B.Ed.—and then move into teaching roles before applying for PR.

Paperwork & Fees You’ll Need

Okay, let’s get real: the paperwork pile isn’t small. And yes, there are fees.

• Bachelor’s in Education (B.Ed.) – mandatory
• ECA for foreign degree – around CAD 240
• Provincial teaching certificate – CAD 200–500
• IELTS or CELPIP – about CAD 330
• Medical exam, police check, biometrics – around CAD 500 combined
• PR application fee – CAD 1,365 per adult

Not cheap, but think of it as an investment in a stable, respected career with long-term payoff.

Final Advice for Aspiring Teachers

So, is Canada the right move for you? If you’re serious about teaching, this might be the best moment to make it happen.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Get licensed first – that’s the non-negotiable step.
• Target high-demand regions – Ontario, Alberta, and BC top the list, but rural schools often hire faster.
• Leverage your language skills – bilingual teachers (English/French) are at a huge advantage.
• Don’t rely on just one pathway – combine Express Entry + PNP for the best shot.

At the end of the day, Canada isn’t just importing teachers—it’s looking for educators who can help shape the next generation. If that sounds like you, the timing couldn’t be better.