Chemical Technologists and Technicians

(NOC 2211)

in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Chemical technologists and technicians provide technical support and services or may work independently in chemical engineering, chemical and biochemical research and analysis, industrial chemistry, chemical quality control and environmental protection. They work for research and development and quality control laboratories, consulting engineering companies, in chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and a variety of other manufacturing and processing industries, and by utilities, health, educational and government organizations.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 35 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

  • Estimate 3410 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5690 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$15.50

Minimum

$21.00

Median

$35.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$8,304

Minimum

$39,384

Median

$73,351

Maximum

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$34.90

Median

$54.10

Maximum

Annual Pay

$13,568

Minimum

$60,422

Median

$107,009

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Chemical technologists and technicians provide technical support and services or may work independently in chemical engineering, chemical and biochemical research and analysis, industrial chemistry, chemical quality control and environmental protection. They work for research and development and quality control laboratories, consulting engineering companies, in chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and a variety of other manufacturing and processing industries, and by utilities, health, educational and government organizations.

Job duties

Chemical technologists:

  • Set up and run chemical experiments, tests and analyses using techniques like chromatography, spectroscopy, physical and chemical separation techniques, and microscopy.
  • Use and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus and prepare solutions of gas or liquid, reagents, and sample formulations.
  • Compile records and interpret experimental or analytical results.
  • Develop and run programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, and products.
  • Help develop chemical engineering processes, studies of chemical engineering procurement, construction, inspection and maintenance and the development of standards, procedures and health and safety measures.
  • Use experimental chemical or petrochemical pilot plants.
  • Conduct or help in air and water quality testing and assessments, environmental monitoring and protection activities, and development of and compliance with standards.
  • Help in synthesis of small molecules for the purpose of creating drug candidates.
  • Help design and make experimental apparatus.

Chemical technicians:

  • Help set up and run chemical experiments, tests, and analyses.
  • Use and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus and prepare solutions of gas and liquid, reagents, and sample formulations.
  • Compile records for analytical studies.
  • Help develop and run programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards.
  • Carry out a limited range of other technical functions in support of chemical research, tests and analyses, and environmental air and water quality monitoring and protection.
  • Help design and make experimental apparatus.

Sample job titles

  • biochemistry technologist
  • chemical analyst
  • chemical engineering technologist
  • chemical process analyst
  • chemical research technologist
  • chemical technician
  • food technician
  • geochemical technician
  • pharmaceuticals inspector
  • quality control technician

Skills

  • The skills and aptitudes for these jobs are as varied as the entrance requirements. You should be interested in science and technology and be able to work with detailed processes, machines, and techniques. Familiarity with computers is necessary for some positions. An aptitude for mathematics and the sciences at the high school level is important. Some of these jobs involve exposure to heat, noise, vibration, fumes, and dust, while other jobs are in a relatively clean laboratory environment.

Job requirements

  • Chemical technologists usually require completion of a two- or three-year college program in chemical, biochemical or chemical engineering technology or a closely related discipline.
  • Chemical technicians usually require completion of a one- or two-year college program in chemical, biochemical or chemical engineering technology.
  • National certification for chemical technologists and technicians is available through the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology.
  • Certification in chemical engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by employers.
  • A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.

Other considerations

  • Considerable movement is possible among jobs within this occupational group. Movement to managerial positions is possible with experience. Some chemical technologists and technicians working in support of fundamental research in chemistry or biochemistry are university graduates.

By the numbers

Quick look

440

employed in 2016

88.6%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

59.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
40.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
37.9

median age

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

25,875

employed in 2016

91.5%

employed full-time

7.6%

self employed

20.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
80%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
42.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

47.1%

Halifax

$38,953 median annual income
16.1%

North Shore

$37,903 median annual income
16.1%

Annapolis Valley

$34,518 median annual income
11.5%

Cape Breton

$64,535 median annual income
9.2%

Southern

$39,253 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

28.2%

Professional, scientific and technical services

26.8%

Manufacturing

11.3%

Public administration

7.0%

Educational services

7.0%

Wholesale trade

What is the age of Employment?

25.0%

35-44

25.0%

25-34

17.0%

15-24

15.0%

45-54

14.0%

55-64

3.0%

65+

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

24.2%

25-34

23.5%

45-54

23.4%

35-44

16.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

28.4%

College Diploma

$46,413 median annual income
28.4%

Bachelor

$46,350 median annual income
19.3%

High school

$26,315 median annual income
8.0%

Diploma Below Bachelor

$33,873 median annual income
6.8%

Trade Certification

N/A

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

33.1%

College Diploma

$59,986 median annual income
29.8%

Bachelor

$63,965 median annual income
11.9%

High school

$45,835 median annual income
9.9%

Master

$65,105 median annual income
6.9%

Trade Certification

$57,773 median annual income

Education & training

Biochemistry

College or University Program

These programs focus on the scientific study of the chemistry of living systems, their fundamental chemical substances and reactions, and their chemical pathways and information transfer systems, with particular reference to carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. They include courses in bio-organic chemistry, protein chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, bioseparations, regulatory biochemistry, enzymology, hormonal chemistry, calorimetry, and research methods and equipment operation.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

Biophysics

College or University Program

These programs focus on applying physics principles to the scientific study of the mechanisms of biological processes and assemblies at all levels of complexity. They include courses in research methods and equipment operation and applications to subjects such as bioenergetics, biophysical theory and modelling, electrophysics, membrane biology, channels, receptors and transporters, contractility and muscle function, protein shaping and folding, molecular and supramolecular structures and assemblies, and computational science.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Forensic Science and Technology

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on applying the physical, biomedical, and social sciences to the analysis and evaluation of physical evidence, human testimony and criminal suspects. They include courses in forensic medicine, forensic dentistry, anthropology, psychology, pathology, forensic laboratory technology, crime scene analysis, fingerprint technology, document analysis, pattern analysis, examination procedures, applicable laws and regulations, and professional standards and ethics.

Institutions providing this program

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Chemical Institute of Canada
Ottawa, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.