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Artisan, Artist, Carver, Craft Artist, Glass Artist, Leather Worker, Metalsmith, Potter, Weaver, Woodworker
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Craftspersons work with a wide range of materials and produce many different types of products. They are often known by titles that describe what they work with or produce. Therefore, there are myriad of terms used to describe workers in this occupation.
Craftspersons may specialize in designing and creating particular types of crafts or they may work in several media. Some types of crafts produced include:
In addition to working in their craft, craftspersons spend a considerable amount of time on business activities such as marketing and accounting.
Most craftspersons work in home-based studios and set their own hours. Depending on their craft, they may have to observe safety precautions to avoid injury when working with hazardous chemicals, materials or processes.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Carvers
2023 OaSIS: 53124.01
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Craftspersons need:
They should enjoy using knowledge of their media to design and construct new things, and using tools and equipment to do work requiring precision.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 72 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 16, 2021 and Nov 18, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 50 |
|---|---|
| Hand-eye co-ordination | 46 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 42 |
| Ability to distinguish between colours | 42 |
| Tasks: Sell products on a retail basis | 36 |
| Tasks: Design bouquets and select natural and artificial flowers and decorative accessories to create arrangements or other floral items | 33 |
| Tasks: Manage day-to-day business operations | 32 |
| Sitting | 30 |
| Tasks: Supervise apprentices or other artisans | 30 |
| Tasks: Design metal jewellery, utensils, implements, wall hangings and other objects | 26 |
There are no standard educational requirements for craftspersons. However, to be successful, they need:
Craftspersons generally acquire their skills by taking related courses or programs, working with master craftspersons, or immersing themselves in cultural traditions. Many craftspersons travel outside of the province or even outside of the country for advanced study in their field. Online tutorials and videos are also becoming invaluable learning tools.
Training programs in crafts, arts, design or human ecology may be offered by post-secondary schools, artisan guilds or private studios. Continuing education programs may be offered on an as-needed basis. For many continuing education courses, there are no specified admission requirements.
In some crafts, safety training is extremely important.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Elsewhere in Canada, related courses and programs are offered by colleges and private vocational schools including:
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most craftspersons are self-employed. They may be contracted to do custom work, sell wholesale to retail outlets and craft galleries, or market their work directly to the public. Those who market their work directly may sell items from home studios, at local markets or craft shows, or arrange to have their work displayed in retail stores, galleries, museums, office buildings or other public spaces. They also may market their work on the internet or through publications and competitions.
Some craftspersons with suitable experience are employed as instructors by post-secondary schools, private studios and community organizations. Craftspersons also may be employed as arts administrators, exhibit designers or curators.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Artisans and craftspersons
2016 NOC: 5244
76.1% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Craftspersons often work in other occupations to supplement their incomes until they have established a large enough market for their products. Incomes for established craftspersons vary considerably.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $26.77 | $18.98 | $18.00 |
| Overall | $17.00 | $43.00 | $24.07 | $20.00 |
| Top | $18.50 | $50.00 | $28.45 | $26.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $45,136 |
|---|---|
| Retail Trade | $44,608 |
Alberta Craft Council website: www.albertacraft.ab.ca
American Craft Council website: www.craftcouncil.org
Canadian Crafts Federation website: canadiancraftsfederation.ca
Cultural Human Resources Council, The Art of Managing Your Career website: www.culturalhrc.ca/index.php/education-training-mentoring/the-art-of-managing-your-career
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
