National Occupational Classification, TEER 1
NOC 21110: Biologists and related scientists
Biologists and related scientists conduct basic and applied research to extend knowledge of living organisms, to manage natural resources, and to develop new practices and products related to medicine and agriculture. Below are the main duties, all 129 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 21110?
NOC 21110 is the code for biologists and related scientists in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. Job titles in this group include anatomist, bacteriologist, bioinformatician and biologist. 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 $40.00 an hour.
- NOC code
- 21110
- 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
- $40.00 an hour
Job titles under NOC 21110
Biologists and related scientists conduct basic and applied research to extend knowledge of living organisms, to manage natural resources, and to develop new practices and products related to medicine and agriculture. They are employed in both laboratory and field settings by governments, environmental consulting companies, resource and utilities companies, chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnical companies, hospitals and health, research and educational institutions.
Main job titles
- anatomist
- bacteriologist
- bioinformatician
- biologist
- botanist
- cell biologist
- ecologist
- embryologist
- geneticist
- histologist
- immunologist
- marine biologist
- microbiologist
- molecular biologist
- mycologist
- parasitologist
- pharmacologist
- physiologist
- protozoologist
- toxicologist
- virologist
- zoologist
All 129 job titles in the NOC index
agricultural scientist, agrogeologist, algologist, anatomist, animal ecologist, animal geneticist, animal nutritionist, animal taxonomist, apiculture entomologist, aquatic biologist, astrobiologist, bacteriologist, bacteriologist - animal health, bioinformatician, biological scientist, biologist, biology systematist, biology taxonomist, biomedical nanotechnology research scientist, botanist, bryologist, cell biologist, cellular physiologist, clinical research associate, clinical research program manager, clinical research project manager, clinical research trials coordinator, crop scientist, crop-research scientist, cytochemist, cytogeneticist, cytologist, cytologist-microbiologist, dairy bacteriologist, dairy scientist, descriptive toxicologist, developmental biologist, developmental geneticist, domestic animal scientist, ecobiologist, ecologist, economic botanist, embryologist, entomologist, environmental and occupational toxicologist, environmental biologist, environmental toxicologist, enzymologist, enzymology biologist, etiologist, extraction specialist - cannabis, fishery bacteriologist, fishery products bacteriologist, food bacteriologist, food products bacteriologist, food products scientist, food research scientist, food scientist, forest ecologist, forest pathologist, geneticist, helminthologist, herpetologist, histologist, histopathologist, human physiologist, hydrobiologist, ichthyologist, immunologist, industrial bacteriologist, insect physiologist, interpretative naturalist, invertebrate zoologist, laboratory immunologist, limnologist, malariologist, mammalogist, marine biologist, marine hydrobiologist, marine mammal trainer, mechanistic toxicologist, medical parasitology biologist, microbiologist, molecular biologist, molecular geneticist, molecular physiologist, mycologist, naturalist, nematologist, ornithologist, osteologist, parasitologist, parasitology biologist, park naturalist, pharmaceutical bacteriologist, pharmacologist, physiological biophysicist, physiologist, physiologist-biochemist - nuclear medicine, phytobiologist, phytopathologist, plant anatomist, plant breeder, plant ecologist, plant nematologist, plant pathologist, plant physiologist, plant population biologist, plant scientist, plant taxonomist, population geneticist, poultry scientist, protozoologist, protozoology biologist, public health bacteriologist, regulatory toxicologist, research biologist, rural ecologist, serologist, soil bacteriologist, staff toxicologist, systems biologist, toxicologist, veterinary parasitology biologist, virologist, wildlife biologist, wildlife helminthologist, wildlife naturalist, zoologist.
Main duties of NOC 21110
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Biologists
- Plan and conduct studies of the environment, and of the population, distribution, structure and functional characteristics and behaviour of plants and animals
- Conduct ecological and environmental impact studies and prepare reports
- Study, identify and classify plant and animal specimens
- Conduct experiments in plant or animal growth, heredity and breeding
- Prepare reports and plans for management of renewable resources
- May supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists.
Microbiologists and cell and molecular biologists
- Conduct research into the structure, function, ecology, biotechnology and genetics of micro-organisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and algae
- Conduct research into the structure and functioning of human, animal and plant tissues and cells
- Conduct studies into the identification, effects and control of human, plant and animal pathogens and toxins
- Conduct clinical or laboratory studies to test, evaluate and screen drugs, pharmaceuticals and nanoparticles used in biomedical applications
- Conduct molecular or biochemical studies and experiments in genetic expression, gene manipulation and recombinant DNA technology to develop new or alternative methods of producing products
- Conduct research in biotechnology to discover, develop and refine, and evaluate new products
- May participate in the commercialization of new products
- May supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists
- May conduct biostatistical data analysis using computer modelling techniques.
- Biologists and related scientists may specialize at the macroscopic level, in fields such as botany, zoology, ecology and marine biology or, at the cellular and molecular level, in fields such as genetics, immunology, pharmacology, toxicology, physiology, pathology, bacteriology, virology, biotechnology and bioinformatics.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in biology or in a related discipline is required for biologists.
- A master's or doctoral degree in biology or a related discipline is required for employment as a research scientist in biology.
- Post-doctoral research experience is usually required before employment in academic departments or research institutions.
- Biologists are regulated in Alberta and British Columbia.
Is NOC 21110 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 21110 |
|---|---|
| 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 21110 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 | $25.71 | $40.00 | $66.67 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $22.00 | $40.00 | $54.40 |
| Prince Edward Island | $31.25 | $35.90 | $44.71 |
| Nova Scotia | $24.62 | $37.50 | $51.06 |
| New Brunswick | $23.84 | $41.00 | $59.00 |
| Quebec | $24.50 | $38.46 | $54.12 |
| Ontario | $24.50 | $40.00 | $69.23 |
| Manitoba | $25.52 | $37.00 | $57.69 |
| Saskatchewan | $28.22 | $42.85 | $61.71 |
| Alberta | $26.44 | $41.44 | $88.19 |
| British Columbia | $28.85 | $42.00 | $60.00 |
| Yukon | $36.58 | $48.19 | $65.57 |
| Northwest Territories | $39.56 | $58.34 | $80.44 |
| Nunavut | $40.56 | $57.46 | $77.25 |
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 21110 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 21110 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 anatomist?
NOC 21110, Biologists and related scientists, a TEER 1 occupation in NOC 2021.
What TEER is NOC 21110?
TEER 1. Usually a university degree. The TEER is the second digit of the code. See all TEER categories.
Is NOC 21110 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 21110 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 21110 pay in Canada?
The Job Bank median across Canada is $40.00 an hour, with most wages between $25.71 and $66.67. Pay varies by province: see the table above.
Where is the official description?
On the Statistics Canada and ESDC NOC site: search 21110 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.