Biological technologists and technicians
Occupation · NOC 2021 22110 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 22110
- TEER
- 2
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 139
- Median wage, Canada
- C$29.12 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 319
OC<CANBIOLOGICAL<TECHNOLOGISTS<AND<TECHNICIA 221108<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6
About this occupation
Biological technologists and technicians provide technical support and services to scientists, engineers and other professionals working in fields such as agriculture, resource management, environmental protection, plant and animal biology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology and health sciences, or may work independently in these fields. They are employed in both laboratory and field settings by governments, manufacturers of food products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology companies, health, research and educational institutions, environmental consulting companies, and resource and utilities companies.
Example job titles
- agricultural technician
- agricultural technologist
- agrology technician
- aquaculture technician
- bacteriological technician
- biological laboratory technologist
- botanical technician
- fish hatchery technician
- fisheries technician
- food bacteriological technician
- microbiology quality control technologist
- microbiology technologist (except medical)
- plant breeding technician
- seed technologist
- wildlife biology technician
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Biological technologists
- Set up and conduct biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses in support of research and quality control in food production, sanitation, pharmaceutical production, biotechnology and other fields
- Apply methods and techniques such as microscopy, histochemistry, chromatography, electrophoresis and spectroscopy
- Perform experimental procedures in agriculture, plant breeding, animal husbandry, biology and biomedical research
- Conduct field research and surveys to collect data and samples of water, soil, and plant and animal populations
- Conduct environmental monitoring and compliance activities for the protection of fisheries stock, wildlife and other natural resources
- Analyze data and prepare reports
- Conduct or supervise operational programs such as fish hatchery, greenhouse and livestock production programs.
- Biological technicians
Employment requirements
- Completion of a two- to three-year college program in a field related to agriculture, biology, microbiology, wildlife or resource management is usually required for employment as a biological technologist.
- Completion of a one- to two-year college program in a related field is required for employment as a biological technician.
- Certification with provincial associations is available, but voluntary.
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 | 4 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 32 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 3 |
- Crop Defenders Ltd.12
- ITR Laboratories Canada Inc8
- EUROFINS ESSAIS ENVIRONNEMENTAUX CANADA8
- DMV Génétique Services inc.7
- Fromages la Chaudière Inc5
- Charles River Laboratories5
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research3
- Laboratoires Charles River Montréal ULC3
- Les Serres Sagami Inc.3
- Centre d'insémination porcine du Québec s.e.c.3
- Biospective Inc.3
- Salade Etcetera! Inc.3
- Holstein Association of Canada2
- Leo's Sales & Service Ltd2
- Pharmaplanter Technologies Inc.2
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 | 95 |
| 2025 | 0 | 85 |
| 2024 | 5 | 115 |
| 2023 | 5 | 110 |
| 2022 | 0 | 60 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5 |
| 2020 | 0 | 40 |
| 2019 | 0 | 95 |
| 2018 | 0 | 130 |
| 2017 | 0 | 105 |
| 2016 | 0 | 120 |
| 2015 | 0 | 75 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 75 |
| 2016 | 120 |
| 2017 | 105 |
| 2018 | 130 |
| 2019 | 95 |
| 2020 | 40 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 60 |
| 2023 | 115 |
| 2024 | 120 |
| 2025 | 85 |
| 2026 | 95 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 75 |
| 2018 | 130 |
| 2019 | 95 |
| 2020 | 50 |
| 2021 | 245 |
| 2022 | 80 |
| 2023 | 120 |
| 2024 | 105 |
| 2025 | 95 |
| 2026 | 75 |
- Canadian Experience Class1,015
- Federal Skilled Worker440
- Provincial Nominee Program275
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$19.50 | C$29.12 | C$43.00 |
| Alberta | C$21.87 | C$32.99 | C$46.48 |
| British Columbia | C$22.00 | C$32.85 | C$42.31 |
| Manitoba | C$19.48 | C$22.00 | C$29.00 |
| New Brunswick | C$18.80 | C$27.24 | C$39.63 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$21.79 | C$31.25 | C$43.08 |
| Nova Scotia | C$16.73 | C$25.39 | C$37.37 |
| Ontario | C$19.72 | C$30.00 | C$45.00 |
| Quebec | C$20.00 | C$28.00 | C$41.03 |
| Saskatchewan | C$16.75 | C$32.00 | C$45.64 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 319
- Vacancies advertised
- 392
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$21.23
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