65202

Meat cutters and fishmongers - retail and wholesale

TEER 5 — Short work demonstration, no formal education

Express Entry skill level: No
Regulated in Québec: No
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Sales & service

6 › 65 › 652 › 6520

Definition

Meat cutters and fishmongers prepare and package pieces of meat, poultry and fish that are sold by food retailers or wholesalers. They use tools to cut, trim and package meat, poultry and fish on a daily basis. They are employed in grocery stores, fish stores, or they may be self-employed.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Grind meats and slice cooked meats using powered grinders and slicing machines
Cut, weigh, package, label and price meat, meat products, fish and seafood for sale
Suggest complementary and/or alternative meat or fish products to consumers
Inspect the quality of meat, fish and seafood, expiry dates and ensure proper product rotation
Ensure the maintenance of equipment, displays and work area
Receive and store merchandise in accordance with the company's established standards
Comply with government health and safety standards and occupational health and safety standards.

Example job titles

•fishmonger
•fishmonger - retail
•meat cutter - retail or wholesale
•supermarket meat cutter

Overview

National Occupational Classification (NOC) code 65202 covers meat cutters and fishmongers working in retail and wholesale environments. Classified under TEER 5, these workers prepare standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish for commercial sale. Common job titles under this classification include retail meat cutter, fishmonger, and supermarket butcher assistant. These occupations play a vital role in Canadian supermarkets, specialty butcher shops, and seafood markets across the country.

Key responsibilities under NOC 65202 include cutting, trimming, boning, and preparing meat and fish products according to customer specifications or standard portions. Workers are also responsible for maintaining strict hygiene standards, wrapping and packaging products, and providing direct customer service at counter displays. Employment requirements typically include some secondary school education, and on-the-job training is standard. Certification in safe food handling is frequently required by employers or provincial regulations.

For Canadian immigration purposes, TEER 5 occupations like NOC 65202 are eligible for specific immigration pathways, such as the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) and certain stream-specific pilots, rather than federal program streams that target higher TEER levels. Candidates must ensure they meet the specific provincial licensing, language, and employment criteria to qualify under these streams. Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For official guidelines, consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a regulated Canadian immigration professional.

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.