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Dance Critic, Film Critic, Literary Critic, Music Critic, Theatre Critic
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
Critics review all areas of arts and entertainment: plays, films, books, operas, art exhibits, dance productions, musical recordings, concerts, and nightclub acts. In general, they:
Critics sometimes write or broadcast regular arts and entertainment features. These may include interviews with artists, in-depth analyses of art works, or information about upcoming events or newly releases.
Most critics specialize in one area of the arts such as music, film, or theatre. Some specialize even further. For example, a large newspaper may have different critics for jazz, rock, and classical music. Critics working for smaller employers however may review a wide range of styles.
To keep up to date on trends in arts and entertainment, critics must spend a lot of time reading, building contacts in their industry, and keeping in touch with their contacts.
Critics work evenings, weekends, and holidays to cover performances, exhibits, and events. They may have to write and file reviews late at night, after a performance. Coping with tight deadlines and people who disagree with their reviews can be stressful.
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.
Journalists
2023 OaSIS: 51113.00
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:
Critics need:
They should enjoy finding innovative ways to express their views and to stimulate public interest and discussion. They should be comfortable being recognized for their specialized knowledge, creativity, and experience.
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 21 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 01, 2021 and Sep 05, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Write news stories for publication and broadcast | 15 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Collect information through interview, investigation and observation | 15 |
| Tasks: Write editorials and commentaries on topics of current interest to stimulate public interest and express the views of a publication or broadcasting station | 14 |
| Tasks: Receive, analyze and verify copy for accuracy | 12 |
| Technical or specialized writing: Analysis | 10 |
| Technical or specialized writing: Editorial | 10 |
| Tasks: Write critical reviews of literary, musical and other artistic works based on knowledge, judgement and experience | 10 |
| Construction Specialization: Judgement | 9 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 9 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 9 |
It is not necessary to have formal training to become a critic. However, most employers prefer to hire experienced print reporters or broadcasters. These candidates often have post-secondary education related to journalism. Critics also are expected to have strong backgrounds in their interest area (such as music, literature, art, or drama). Being able to review several different fields is an advantage, especially for freelance critics and those just getting started. Training or experience in the arts is an asset.
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.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Critics may work for:
There are relatively few jobs in the field of arts criticism. Competition for employment is keen. Major metropolitan newspapers and large circulation magazines hire a small number of critics as staff writers. They may hire freelance critics to review and comment on specialized areas of the arts. Smaller newspapers and magazines usually employ freelance critics. Staff writers may be expected to cover a range of arts events.
Radio and television stations that have film, theatre, and music reviews as part of their weekly programming may use staff reviewers or freelance critics for these regular features. Freelance critics sell articles and interviews to various print, broadcast, and online media. Sometimes writers are paid each time an article is reproduced, but often they receive a flat rate for all rights to a single article.
It is difficult to get started as a critic or reviewer. Experience might come from writing for campus and community newspapers, doing film or theatre reviews for local cable television stations, or writing website content or blog posts. Aspiring critics should attend as many arts and entertainment functions as possible and keep up to date in their field of interest.
Some critics start out as general reporters or staff writers. They move into a reviewer’s position when one comes open. Established critics can move to larger media outlets. They may also move between jobs in print, radio, and television, or syndicate articles to a chain of newspapers, websites, or broadcast stations.
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.
Journalists
2016 NOC: 5123
87.6% 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.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
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.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.73 | $20.25 | $19.32 | $20.00 |
| Overall | $17.83 | $26.40 | $22.68 | $24.04 |
| Top | $17.83 | $32.65 | $26.71 | $26.40 |
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 | $47,136 |
|---|
Canadian Theatre Critics Association (CTCA) website: www.canadiantheatrecritics.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2020. 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.
