Job prospects Chemist in Ontario

Job opportunities in Ontario

The employment outlook will be fair for Chemists (NOC 2112) in Ontario for the 2021-2023 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Chemical manufacturers mainly in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
• Professional, scientific and technical services companies such as research and development firms
• Federal government departments and agencies

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Improved economic activity and manufacturing output will support demand for chemical goods, which are used across the manufacturing industry.
• Investments in the biomanufacturing and life sciences sector, including in pharmaceutical research and production.
• Need for chemical products and processes to support environmental planning, food sciences, construction materials, and agricultural production.
• Some opportunities may arise in the cannabis industry and in petrochemical and industrial chemical manufacturing, particularly in southwestern Ontario.

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• In addition to formal education, experience in a particular field of chemistry such as pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, or organic chemistry may be preferred.
• Knowledge of various sampling techniques and processes related to analytical chemistry, chromatography, and spectroscopy is an asset.
• Ability to use a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and write technical reports.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) may be required to work in manufacturing settings.
• Some employers may require professional designation from the Association of the Chemical Profession of Ontario.

Here are some key facts about Chemists in the Ontario region:

• Approximately 7,600 people work in this occupation.
• Chemists mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 39%
  • Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 17%
  • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 9%
  • Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 6%
  • Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 5%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: more than 95% compared to 79% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: less than 5% compared to 21% for all occupations
• 75% of chemists work all year, while 25% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 35 weeks compared to 31 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of chemists are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Location	Job prospects
Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula Region	Fair Fair
Kingston–Pembroke Region	Fair Fair
Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie Region	Fair Fair
London Region	Fair Fair
Muskoka–Kawarthas Region	Undetermined Undetermined
Northeast Region	Undetermined Undetermined
Northwest Region	Undetermined Undetermined
Ottawa Region	Fair Fair
Stratford–Bruce Peninsula Region	Undetermined Undetermined
Toronto Region	Fair Fair
Windsor-Sarnia Region	Fair Fair

Legend: The job opportunities can be: Undetermined Limited Fair Good

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

To view this data on a map, go to: LMI Explore

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

We expect that the labour supply and demand for Chemists (NOC 2112) will be balanced in Canada over the next 10 years.

Learn more