Chemists
Career Overview
Chemists:
- Carry out research and analysis in support of industrial operations, product and process development; quality control; environmental control; medical diagnosis and treatment; biotechnology; and other applications
- Theoretical, experimental and applied research into basic chemical and biochemical processes to create new products and processes
- Work in research, development and quality control laboratories; chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries; mineral, metal and pulp and paper industries; and a wide variety of manufacturing, utility, health, educational and government establishments
Job Titles
Duties
Chemists perform some or all of the following duties:
- Analyze, synthesize, purify, modify and characterize chemical or biochemical compounds
- Create and carry out programs of analysis to ensure quality control of raw materials, chemical intermediates or final products
- Carry out programs of sample collection, data collection and analysis to identify and measure environmental toxicants
- Carry out research to develop new chemical formulations and processes, and devise new technical applications of industrial chemicals and compounds
- Carry out research to discover, develop, refine and evaluate new products
- Undertake fundamental and applied research into the synthesis and properties of chemical compounds and the mechanisms of chemical reactions
- Investigate chemical aspects of the mechanisms of drug action; the diagnosis and treatment of disease; organ function; and the assessment of health
- Participate in interdisciplinary research and development projects working with chemical engineers, biologists, microbiologists, agronomists, geologists or other professionals
- Act as technical consultant in a particular field of expertise
- Participate in the commercialization of new products
- Supervise other chemists, chemical technicians and technologists
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
1,695% Employed Full Time
74%Work in this occupation is typically performed in an indoor environment, where one may be in the presence of noxious, intense or prolonged odours and exposed to chemicals or substances that may endanger health. Safety precautions and set procedures help to minimize risks.
Career Pathways
Mobility between occupations in this group is possible with experience. Also, mobility is possible to occupations concerned with plant management, technical sales and the development and management of regulatory programs and teaching professions.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
- Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related discipline is required
- Master's or doctoral degree is usually required for employment as a research chemist
- Licensing by a provincial association of chemists is required in Quebec, and available but voluntary in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Biochemistry/Microbiology
- Chemistry
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
1,695Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 10 | 0.6% |
| Kootenay | 25 | 1.5% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,340 | 79.3% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 0 | 0.0% |
| Northeast | 10 | 0.6% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 120 | 7.1% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 195 | 11.5% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
710Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | Not available | Not available |
| Kootenay | Not available | Not available |
| Mainland/Southwest | 590 | 1.7% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 50 | 1.8% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 70 | 0.9% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 350 |
| Manufacturing | 120 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 80 |
| Public Administration | 60 |
| Wholesale Trade | 30 |
Resources
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Association of the Chemical Profession of British Columbia (ACPBC)www.pchembc.ca
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Chemical Institute of Canada – Career Siteniche.workopolis.com/frontoffice/enterSeekerHomeAction.do?sitecode=pl56
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Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC)www.cheminst.ca
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Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC)www.canadianchemistry.ca/index.php
Career Videos
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of a chemistry lab manager is like.
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of a chemistry lab manager is like.
