Chemical engineers

British Columbia

The employment outlook will be Moderate for chemical engineers (NOC 21320) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of 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.Employment opportunities for engineers continue to be strong across multiple sectors (for example IT, oil and gas, manufacturing, mining, utilities, construction).  The high level of technical knowledge required for this occupation makes recruitment difficult. Here are some key facts about chemical engineers in British Columbia: Approximately 2,050 people work in this occupation. Chemical engineers mainly work in the following sectors: Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 28%Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 10%Computer, electronic and electrical product manufacturing (NAICS 334-335): 9%Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 8%Petroleum and coal product manufacturing (NAICS 324): 6% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 93% compared to 78% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 7% compared to 22% for all occupations80% of chemical engineers work all year, while 20% 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 chemical engineers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 69% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 31% 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 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 57% compared to 22% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 40% compared to 12% for all occupations

Quebec

The employment outlook will be Limited for chemical engineers (NOC 21320) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment decline will lead to the loss of some 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 chemical engineers in Quebec: Approximately 2,650 people work in this occupation. Chemical engineers mainly work in the following sectors: Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 21%Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 20%Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 6%Primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 331): 5% 73% of chemical engineers work all year, while 27% 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 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.6% of chemical engineers are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 66% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 34% 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: 63% compared to 17% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 34% compared to 11% for all occupations

Ontario

The employment outlook will be Limited for chemical engineers (NOC 21320) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment decline will lead to the loss of some 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 chemical engineers in Ontario: Approximately 4,300 people work in this occupation. Chemical engineers mainly work in the following sectors: Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 24%Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 19%Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 7% 77% of chemical engineers work all year, while 23% 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 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.7% of chemical engineers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 68% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 32% 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 25% for all occupations 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: 57% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 39% compared to 13% for all occupations