Chemists
Chemists conduct research and analysis in support of industrial operations, product and process development, quality control, environmental control, medical diagnosis and treatment, biotechnology, nanotechnology and other applications. They also conduct theoretical, experimental and applied research into basic chemical and biochemical processes to create or synthesize new products and processes.
Good
Market Demand
TEER 1
Skill Level
PE, SK, NS
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Analyze, synthesize, purify, modify and characterize chemical or biochemical compounds
- Develop and conduct programs of analysis to ensure quality control of raw materials, chemical intermediates or final products
- Conduct programs of sample and data collection and analysis to identify and quantify environmental toxicants
- Conduct research to develop new chemical formulations and processes and devise new technical applications of industrial chemicals and compounds
- Conduct research to discover, develop, refine and evaluate new products such as those used in nanomedicine, nanoelectronics and other applications of chemistry
- Conduct fundamental and applied research into the synthesis and properties of chemical compounds and the mechanisms of chemical reactions
- Investigate chemical aspects of the mechanisms of drug action, the diagnosis and treatment of disease, organ function and the assessment of health
- Participate in interdisciplinary research and development projects working with chemical engineers, biologists, microbiologists, agronomists, geologists or other professionals
- Act as technical consultant in a particular field of expertise
- May participate in the commercialization of new products
- May supervise other chemists and chemical technicians and technologists.
Qualifications
- checkA bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related discipline is required.
- checkA master's or doctoral degree is usually required for employment as a research chemist.
- checkLicensing by a provincial association of chemists is required in Quebec and available but voluntary, in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
Market Outlook by Province
Prince Edward Island
The employment outlook will be Good for chemists (NOC 21101) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of 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 chemists in Prince Edward Island: Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Chemists mainly work in the following sectors: Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 82% 76% of chemists work all year, while 24% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 33% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 67% compared to 49% 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: n/a bachelor's degree: 65% compared to 17% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 28% compared to 8% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
Saskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Good for chemists (NOC 21101) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of 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 chemists in Saskatchewan: Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Chemists mainly work in the following sectors: Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 20%Petroleum and coal product manufacturing (NAICS 324): 19%Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 16%Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 10%Utilities (NAICS 22): 6% 67% of chemists work all year, while 33% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 53% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 47% compared to 47% 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: n/a bachelor's degree: 63% compared to 18% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 31% compared to 7% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
Nova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for chemists (NOC 21101) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.A moderate number of 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 chemists in Nova Scotia: Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Chemists mainly work in the following sectors: Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 28%Plastics and rubber products and chemicals manufacturing (NAICS 325-326): 19%Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 17%Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 9%Universities (NAICS 6113): 6% 89% of chemists work all year, while 11% 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 50 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 52% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 48% compared to 49% 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: 50% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 46% compared to 10% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 1 occupations typically require a university degree and qualify for Express Entry. These are high-priority for STEM and healthcare category draws.
Express Entry (FSW)
Provincial Nominee Programs
Category-Based Draws
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Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 21101 openings right now.
APOTEX
2 active roles · Richmond Hill, ON · Etobicoke, ON
BridgeBio Pharma
1 active role · Montreal, QC
Eurofins
1 active role · Oakville, ON
Sun Pharma
1 active role · Brampton, ON
L.B. Foster
1 active role · Burnaby, BC
Eurofins Scientific
1 active role · Mississauga, ON
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Search Chemistsarrow_forwardCore Competencies
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
to identify quality issues in data and find alternative methods, such as changing testing conditions or implementing new purification techniques to ensure products consistently meet standards
Reading Comprehension
to stay updated with the latest research findings in chemistry and other connected disciplines and use the new information to create or synthesize new products and processes
Categorization Flexibility and Information Ordering
to adapt to new information during a chemical experimental design, apply different categorization rules and order operations in a logical and efficient sequence to achieve accurate and reproducible results
Pattern Identification and Inductive Reasoning
to recognize patterns in chemical reactions and draw meaningful conclusions from experimental data to guide new avenues of research or unexpected applications of a substance
Attention to Detail
to perform precise measurements, handle substances carefully and follow protocols strictly to ensure accurate results
Knowledge in Chemistry
to understand chemical properties, interactions and applications to conduct chemical research and to carry out complex experiments to advance understanding in the field
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