Chemists
Occupation · NOC 2021 21101 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 21101
- TEER
- 1
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 303
- Median wage, Canada
- C$38.46 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 191
OC<CANCHEMISTS<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 211011<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2
About this occupation
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. They are employed in research, development and quality control laboratories; chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries; mineral, metal and pulp and paper industries; and a wide variety of manufacturing, utility, health, educational and government establishments.
Example job titles
- agricultural chemist
- analytical chemist
- bioanalytical chemist
- biochemist
- chemist
- clinical chemist
- coatings chemist
- electrochemist
- environmental chemist
- food chemist
- inorganic chemist
- medicinal chemist
- nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopist
- oceanographic chemist
- organic chemist
- organic mass spectrometrist
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- 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
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related discipline is required.
- A master's or doctoral degree is usually required for employment as a research chemist.
- Licensing by a provincial association of chemists is required in Quebec and available but voluntary, in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 79 |
| 2023 | 60 |
| 2024 | 31 |
| 2025 | 48 |
| 2026 | 6 |
- NUCHEM THERAPEUTICS INC.67
- Paraza Pharma Inc.65
- OmegaChem Inc.34
- TORONTO RESEARCH CHEMICALS INC.21
- IntelliSyn Pharma, INC14
- GL Chemtec International Limited7
- Paraza Technologies Inc.3
- Université McGill2
- Nanalysis Corp2
- Zamboni Chem Solutions Inc.2
- Université de Montréal2
- Advanced Electrophoresis Solutions Ltd2
- Zamboni Chem Solutions2
- AB SCIEX LP1
- Contract Pharmaceuticals Limited Canada1
Work permits
Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).
| Year | TFWP permits | IMP permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 25 |
| 2025 | 5 | 10 |
| 2024 | 5 | 15 |
| 2023 | 20 | 45 |
| 2022 | 10 | 85 |
| 2021 | 0 | 60 |
| 2020 | 0 | 55 |
| 2019 | 0 | 110 |
| 2018 | 5 | 120 |
| 2017 | 0 | 165 |
| 2016 | 0 | 160 |
| 2015 | 0 | 240 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 240 |
| 2016 | 160 |
| 2017 | 165 |
| 2018 | 125 |
| 2019 | 110 |
| 2020 | 55 |
| 2021 | 60 |
| 2022 | 95 |
| 2023 | 65 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 25 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2015 | 195 |
| 2016 | 130 |
| 2017 | 135 |
| 2018 | 145 |
| 2019 | 125 |
| 2020 | 50 |
| 2021 | 110 |
| 2022 | 55 |
| 2023 | 75 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 30 |
- Canadian Experience Class720
- Federal Skilled Worker665
- Provincial Nominee Program60
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$24.00 | C$38.46 | C$65.93 |
| Alberta | C$27.00 | C$43.74 | C$68.19 |
| British Columbia | C$26.69 | C$39.95 | C$59.34 |
| Manitoba | C$27.22 | C$39.40 | C$67.01 |
| New Brunswick | C$25.30 | C$36.83 | C$56.10 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$29.36 | C$43.69 | C$70.91 |
| Nova Scotia | C$26.52 | C$39.23 | C$56.76 |
| Ontario | C$27.09 | C$39.49 | C$66.67 |
| Quebec | C$24.94 | C$38.88 | C$60.75 |
| Saskatchewan | C$27.86 | C$42.97 | C$72.14 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 191
- Vacancies advertised
- 234
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$34.62
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