Chemical Engineers
(NOC 2134)
in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information TechnologyChemical engineers research, design, and develop chemical processes and equipment, oversee the operation and maintenance of industrial chemical, plastics, pharmaceutical, resource, pulp and paper, and food processing plants and perform duties related to chemical quality control, environmental protection and biochemical or biotechnical engineering. Chemical engineers are employed in a wide range of manufacturing and processing industries, consulting firms, government, research and educational institutions.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
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Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Chemical Engineers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.
The median employment income for 68% of Chemical Engineers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $86,510. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
N/A
MinimumN/A
MedianN/A
MaximumAnnual Pay
N/A
Minimum$82,530
MedianN/A
MaximumCompared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
Hourly Pay
$17.69
Minimum$31.35
Median$47.18
MaximumAnnual Pay
$13,568
Minimum$60,422
Median$107,009
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Chemical engineers research, design, and develop chemical processes and equipment, oversee the operation and maintenance of industrial chemical, plastics, pharmaceutical, resource, pulp and paper, and food processing plants and perform duties related to chemical quality control, environmental protection and biochemical or biotechnical engineering. Chemical engineers are employed in a wide range of manufacturing and processing industries, consulting firms, government, research and educational institutions.
Job duties
Chemical engineers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct economic and technical feasibility studies in areas related to chemical, petroleum, pulp and paper, food or other processing industries.
- Conduct research into the development or improvement of chemical engineering processes, reactions and materials.
- Evaluate chemical process technology and equipment and determine production specifications.
- Design and test chemical processing and associated plants and equipment.
- Oversee the construction, modification, operation and maintenance of pilot plants, processing units or processing plants.
- Establish and conduct quality control programs, operating procedures and control strategies to ensure consistency and adherence to standards for raw materials, products and waste products or emissions.
- Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for the process aspects of industrial construction.
- Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers.
- May work in an administrative capacity, for example, in the development of guidelines and specifications for the handling of dangerous chemicals, environmental protection, or standards for foods, materials and consumer goods. // Chemical engineers may specialize in the products and processes of a particular industry such as pulp and paper manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, energy processing, plastics, metal extraction and refining, or adhesives and coatings production. They may also specialize in functional areas of various industries such as process control, pollution control or fermentation processes.
Sample job titles
- biochemical engineer
- biotechnical engineer
- chemical engineer
- chemical process engineer
- electrochemical engineer
- environmental chemical engineer
- petrochemical engineer
- waste treatment engineer
Skills
You should be interested in the use and application of chemicals in process industries. Good observation skills and the ability to think analytically and logically are important. You should be patient and curious, and enjoy problem-solving and carrying out experiments. The ability to communicate and cooperate with others is necessary, as engineers often work in teams. Computer skills are also very helpful.
Job requirements
- A bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practice as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Other considerations
Workers should be prepared to keep up to date with changing technology. Some engineers work in an office most of the time, while others work in laboratories, industrial plants, or construction sites where they inspect, supervise, and solve on-site problems. Supervisory and senior positions in this group require experience. There is considerable mobility between chemical engineering specializations at the less senior levels. Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practice in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing, or management. Chemical engineers work closely with chemists and other scientists and engineers and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Northern
Cape Breton
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
Northern
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Professional Business Services
Oil and Gas Extraction
Wood Product Manufacturing
Public Administration
Paper Manufacturing
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
15-24
Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
35-44
45-54
55-64
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
Bachelor's degree
$78,977 median annual incomeDoctorate
N/AHigh school
N/AMedicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry
N/ATrades certificate
N/ACompared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology
College certificate or diploma
$52,476 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$58,011 median annual incomeHigh school
$35,125 median annual incomeMaster's degree
$37,706 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$54,923 median annual incomeEducation & training
Chemical engineering
This program is typically offered at the university level.This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems employing chemical processes, such as chemical reactors, kinetic systems, electrochemical systems, energy conservation processes, heat and mass transfer systems, and separation processes; and the applied analysis of chemical problems such as corrosion, particle abrasion, energy loss, pollution, and fluid mechanics.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Engineering - General
This program is typically offered at the university level.This instructional program class comprises any program that generally prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to solve a wide variety of practical problems in industry, social organization, public works, and commerce.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
PO Box 550
Truro, NS B2N 5E3
(902) 893-6600
Mathematics - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class comprises any general program that focuses on the analysis of quantities, magnitudes, forms, and their relationships, using symbolic logic and language. These programs include courses in algebra, calculus, functional analysis, geometry, number theory, logic, topology and other mathematical specializations.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Physical sciences - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the major topics, concepts, processes, and interrelationships of physical phenomena as studied in any combination of physical science disciplines.
Institutions providing this program
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated and the job title is protected in Nova Scotia (you may not use this job title without holding a provincial licence). A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to work in this job.