Job prospects Chemistry Research Scientist in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "chemistry research scientist" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Very good

The employment outlook will be very good for Chemists (NOC 21101) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

Employment growth will lead to several 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?

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

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 petrochemical and industrial chemical manufacturing, particularly in the Windsor-Sarnia area of 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 Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) may be required to work in manufacturing settings.

Here are some key facts about Chemists in Ontario:

Approximately 8,800 people work in this occupation.
Chemists mainly work in the following sectors:
- Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 42%
- Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 12%
- Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 10%
- Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 7%
- Food, beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (NAICS 311, 312): 6%
80% of chemists work all year, while 20% 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 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of chemists are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: 51% compared to 52% for all occupations
- Women: 49% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: n/a
- high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
- bachelor's degree: 46% compared to 24% for all occupations
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 50% compared to 13% for all occupations

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

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