Astronomers

Quebec

The employment outlook will be Good for physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about physicists and astronomers in Quebec: Approximately 650 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Physicists and astronomers mainly work in the following sectors: Hospitals (NAICS 622): 33%Computer and electronic product manufacturing (NAICS 334): 12%Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 11%Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 10%Universities (NAICS 6113): 9% 85% of physicists and astronomers work all year, while 15% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 49 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of physicists and astronomers are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 78% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 22% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 7% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 15% compared to 17% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 72% compared to 11% for all occupations

Ontario

The employment outlook will be Moderate for physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.What Types of Employers Are Out There?A variety of industries, but the main employers are professional, scientific and technical services companies such as scientific research and development firmsFederal government departments and agenciesHospitals, and manufacturersWhat are the Main Trends Affecting Employment? Physicists may benefit from:Federal budget commitments to science and researchLarge investments in nuclear power, and the need for professionals in health physics, particularly in oncology and nuclear medicine departments in hospitalsContinuing work on Canada’s space program may create work for astronomersIncreased global demand for medical devices and greater use of navigational and guidance instruments for the aerospace industry may lead to some work in this fieldWhat Skills Do I Need to Succeed?Some employers may prefer health and medical physicists to have membership or fellowship in the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine or the equivalent.Here are some key facts about physicists and astronomers in Ontario: Approximately 1,100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Physicists and astronomers mainly work in the following sectors: Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 22%Hospitals (NAICS 622): 21%Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 14%Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 9%Utilities (NAICS 22): 8% 90% of physicists and astronomers work all year, while 10% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 49 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of physicists and astronomers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 78% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 22% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: n/a apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 16% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 80% compared to 13% for all occupations

British Columbia

The employment outlook will be Limited for physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about physicists and astronomers in British Columbia: Approximately 500 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Physicists and astronomers mainly work in the following sectors: Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 30%Hospitals (NAICS 622): 23%Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 15%Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 12%Computer, electronic and electrical product manufacturing (NAICS 334-335): 5% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 92% compared to 78% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 8% compared to 22% for all occupations82% of physicists and astronomers work all year, while 18% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.7% of physicists and astronomers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 77% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 23% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a bachelor's degree: 9% compared to 22% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 87% compared to 12% for all occupations