Chemical technologists and technicians

Chemical technologists and technicians

NOC
22100

provide technical support and services in chemical and biochemical research and analysis, industrial chemistry, chemical quality control and environmental protection.

Quick facts

3-Year Outlook

Limited
Limited

3-Year Job Openings

46
 

Median Hourly Wage

$21.59
$17.00
Low
$39.70
High

Average Salary

$73,000
 

Typically Required

College or apprenticeship

Employed

282
 
Job details

Full NOC Description

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 are employed by 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 establishments.

Main Duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
 

Chemical technologists

  • Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests and analyses using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical and chemical separation techniques and microscopy
  • Operate 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 conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates and products
  • Assist in the development of chemical engineering processes, studies of chemical engineering procurement, construction, inspection and maintenance and the development of standards, procedures and health and safety measures
  • Operate experimental chemical or petrochemical pilot plants
  • Conduct or assist in air and water quality testing and assessments, environmental monitoring and protection activities, and development of and compliance with standards
  • Assist in synthesis of small molecules for the purpose of creating drug candidates
  • Assist in the design and fabrication of experimental apparatus.

Chemical technicians

  • Assist in setting up and conducting chemical experiments, tests and analyses
  • Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus and prepare solutions of gas and liquid, reagents and sample formulations
  • Compile records for analytical studies
  • Assist in developing and conducting 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
  • Assist in the design and fabrication of experimental apparatus.

Also Known As

  • biochemistry technologist
  • chemical analyst
  • chemical engineering technician
  • chemical engineering technologist
  • chemical laboratory analyst
  • chemical research technician
  • chemical technician
  • chemical technologist
  • food technologist
  • formulation technician
  • geochemical technician
  • industrial hygiene technologist
  • mass spectrometer technician
  • master dyer - textiles
  • paint technician
  • pilot plant technician
  • quality control technician - chemical processing
  • quality control technician - food processing
Requirements

Employment 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.
  • Chemical technologists and technicians are regulated in Quebec and Alberta.
  • A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.

Provincial Regulation

  • Provincially Regulated: Yes
Employment by Sex

The following graph shows the percentage of men and women working in this occupation in New Brunswick.

Data legend

38.3%
Female
61.7%
Male
Employment by age

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by age group.

Data legend

8.5%
15-24
27.1%
25-34
23.7%
35-44
18.6%
45-54
22.0%
55-64
0.0%
65+
Employment by highest level of education

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by highest level of education achieved.

Data legend

0.0%
No Certificate, Diploma or Degree
16.7%
High School, Diploma or Equivalent
8.3%
Apprenticeship or Trades Certificate or Diploma
63.3%
College or University Below Bachelor Level
11.7%
University - Bachelor Level or Above
Employment by Industry

The following graph shows the industry groups in which the largest shares of persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick are employed. Small percentages for all top three industry groups may suggest employment for this occupation is widely distributed amongst many industry groups.

Data legend

47.5%
Manufacturing
15.3%
Professional, scientific and technical services
8.5%
Utilities
28.8%
All Other Industries
Employment by Economic Regions

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons employed in this occupation in New Brunswick by which economic region they reside in.

Data legend

25.00%
Northeast
15.00%
Southeast
38.30%
Southwest
13.30%
Central
8.30%
Northwest
Province of New Brunswick Economic Regions

Economic Regions

The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

Annual Average Salary by Economic Regions

The following graph shows the average salary of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

Data legend

$76,000
Northeast
$72,000
Southeast
$82,000
Southwest
$76,000
Central
N/A
Northwest
Province of New Brunswick Economic Regions

Economic Regions

The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

Hourly Median Wages by Economic Regions

The following represents the median hourly wage of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

Northeast

$21.59
$17.00
Low
$39.70
High

Southeast

$18.69
$14.75
Low
$25.50
High

Southwest

$21.59
$17.00
Low
$39.70
High

Central

$21.59
$17.00
Low
$39.70
High
No Data Available
Salary

The following shows the average salary of everyone who worked full-time and year-round in this occupation across each of the Atlantic Provinces and nationally.

New Brunswick

$73,000

Newfoundland

$80,000

Prince Edward Island

$56,000

Nova Scotia

$52,000

Canada

$74,000
Employment Outlook

The following represents the number of job openings that are expected to occur in this occupation over the next three and ten years respectively, broken down by openings expected to result from growth (“new jobs”) and openings expected to result from attrition (death and retirements).

Three Year Outlook

Total Openings: 3-Year

46
 

New Jobs: 3-Year

25
 

Retirements/Deaths: 3-Year

22
 

Ten Year Outlook

Total Openings: 10-Year

100
 

New Jobs: 10-Year

25
 

Retirements/Deaths: 10-Year

78