National Occupational Classification, TEER 1
NOC 21101: Chemists
Chemists conduct research and analysis in support of industrial operations, product and process development, quality control, environmental control, medical diagnosis and treatment, biotechnology, nanotechnology and other applications. Below are the main duties, all 64 job titles it covers, what it means for Express Entry and what it pays in each province.
Updated
- Official NOC 2021 data
- Job Bank wages
What is NOC 21101?
NOC 21101 is the code for chemists in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include agricultural chemist, analytical chemist, bioanalytical chemist and biochemist. It is a TEER 1 occupation (usually a university degree), so it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. The Job Bank median wage across Canada is $38.46 an hour.
- NOC code
- 21101
- TEER
- 1: University degree
- Broad category
- Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
- Express Entry
- Skilled (TEER 0 to 3)
- Category draws
- None
- Median wage
- $38.46 an hour
Job titles under NOC 21101
Chemists conduct research and analysis in support of industrial operations, product and process development, quality control, environmental control, medical diagnosis and treatment, biotechnology, nanotechnology and other applications. They also conduct theoretical, experimental and applied research into basic chemical and biochemical processes to create or synthesize new products and processes. They are employed 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.
Main job titles
- agricultural chemist
- analytical chemist
- bioanalytical chemist
- biochemist
- chemist
- clinical chemist
- coatings chemist
- electrochemist
- environmental chemist
- food chemist
- inorganic chemist
- medicinal chemist
- nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopist
- oceanographic chemist
- organic chemist
- organic mass spectrometrist
- organometallic chemist
- pharmacological chemist
- physical chemist
- polymer chemist
- quality control chemist
- research chemist
- soil chemist
- textile chemist
- theoretical chemist
All 64 job titles in the NOC index
agricultural chemist, agrochemist, analytical biochemist, analytical chemist, atmospheric chemist, bioanalytical chemist, biochemist, biochemistry research scientist, biological chemist, chemical spectroscopist, chemist, chemist - biomolecular assembly, chemistry research scientist, chemistry researcher, clinical chemist, coatings chemist, control chemist, dairy chemist, detergent chemist, dye chemist, electrochemist, environmental chemist, enzyme chemist, fermentologist, food chemist, forensic chemist, glass chemist, hydrochemist, industrial chemist, inorganic chemist, laboratory chemist, leather chemist, medical biochemist, medical chemist, medicinal chemist, nanochemist, nuclear chemist, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopist, nutritional chemist, oceanographic chemist, optical spectroscopist, organic chemist, organic mass spectrometrist, organometallic chemist, petroleum chemist, pharmaceutical chemist, pharmacological chemist, physical chemist, physical research chemist, physiological chemist, plastics and resins chemist, polymer chemist, process control chemist, protective coatings chemist, protein chemist, quality control chemist, research chemist, soil chemist, standards chemist, textile chemist, theoretical chemist, water chemist, water purification chemist, wood chemist.
Main duties of NOC 21101
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Analyze, synthesize, purify, modify and characterize chemical or biochemical compounds
- Develop and conduct programs of analysis to ensure quality control of raw materials, chemical intermediates or final products
- Conduct programs of sample and data collection and analysis to identify and quantify environmental toxicants
- Conduct research to develop new chemical formulations and processes and devise new technical applications of industrial chemicals and compounds
- Conduct research to discover, develop, refine and evaluate new products such as those used in nanomedicine, nanoelectronics and other applications of chemistry
- Conduct 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
- May participate in the commercialization of new products
- May supervise other chemists and chemical technicians and technologists.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related discipline is required.
- A 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, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
Additional information
- Mobility between occupations in this group is possible with experience.
- Mobility is possible with experience, to occupations concerned with plant management, technical sales and the development and management of regulatory programs and teaching professions.
Is NOC 21101 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes for the programs that need skilled work: TEER 1 is in the TEER 0 to 3 range IRCC accepts.
| Program or draw | NOC 21101 |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker Program | Counts as skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) |
| Canadian Experience Class | Counts as skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program | Not a listed trade |
| Occupation category draws (2026) | Not on any occupation list |
| French-language proficiency (category draw) | Open to any occupation with NCLC 7 in French |
Read how TEER categories work and the full list of NOC codes in each 2026 category draw. Category draws also need at least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in one listed occupation within the past 3 years.
How much does NOC 21101 pay?
Job Bank wages for this occupation, per hour. Low and high are, in most cases, the 10th and 90th percentiles, so 8 in 10 workers earn somewhere between them.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $24.00 | $38.46 | $65.93 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $29.36 | $43.69 | $70.91 |
| Prince Edward Island | $22.00 | $36.41 | $51.79 |
| Nova Scotia | $26.52 | $39.23 | $56.76 |
| New Brunswick | $25.30 | $36.83 | $56.10 |
| Quebec | $24.94 | $38.88 | $60.75 |
| Ontario | $27.09 | $39.49 | $66.67 |
| Manitoba | $27.22 | $39.40 | $67.01 |
| Saskatchewan | $27.86 | $42.97 | $72.14 |
| Alberta | $27.00 | $43.74 | $68.19 |
| British Columbia | $26.69 | $39.95 | $59.34 |
Source: Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025), data from 2023-2024 (Labour Force Survey). Wages for job offers in LMIA and provincial programs are compared with these figures, so check the current numbers on Job Bank before you rely on them.
Using NOC 21101 duties on your resume
Canadian resumes do not list NOC codes. Employers read your job titles, what you did and what came of it. The NOC duties are still a useful checklist: if you did these tasks, say so in your own words and add the numbers that prove it.
For Express Entry, the reference letter from your employer should describe the duties you really performed, in line with this lead statement and most of the main duties, without copying the NOC text word for word. The free reference letter generator checks your duties against NOC 21101 as you write.
- Start each bullet with a strong verb and end it with a result: how many, how often, how fast.
- Use the job title your employer used, even if the NOC title is different.
- Keep immigration details such as your NOC code and permit type off the resume.
Turn my duties into a resume Free to start, no card.
Where this information comes from
Occupation codes, titles and descriptions are adapted from Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
Wages come from Job Bank, Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank 2025 wages, revised November 19, 2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Express Entry rules come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): the program pages for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the category-based selection page as modified on June 22, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for a agricultural chemist?
NOC 21101, Chemists, a TEER 1 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 21101?
TEER 1. Usually a university degree. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 21101 eligible for Express Entry?
Yes. As a TEER 1 occupation it counts as skilled work for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. You still have to meet every other requirement, and your duties must match the NOC description.
Is NOC 21101 in an Express Entry category-based draw?
No. It is not on any 2026 occupation list. The French-language proficiency category is open to any occupation if you reach NCLC 7 in French. See every category.
How much does NOC 21101 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $38.46 an hour, with most wages between $24.00 and $65.93. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 21101 in NOC 2021 Version 1.0. This page shows the same text, from the open data Statistics Canada publishes.
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CVMaple turns the work you did into a Canadian resume: the right format, strong bullets and the keywords Canadian applicant tracking systems look for.
More on NOC codes and Canadian resumes
- NOC Code Finder: Describe your duties and get your NOC 2021 code, TEER and Express Entry eligibility. Free.
- NOC Codes Canada: Full List: All 516 NOC 2021 codes with their TEER, duties and wages.
- TEER Categories Explained: What TEER 0 to 5 means, which count for Express Entry, and every job in each one.
- Express Entry Category Draws: NOC Codes: Every NOC code on the 2026 healthcare, STEM, trades, education and other lists.
- Canadian Resume Examples by Job: Real examples for cashiers, caregivers, trades, tech, students and more.
- Newcomer Resume Guide: Turn international experience into a resume Canadian employers understand.