How to become a Chemist
Official title: Chemists
Also called: Chemist, Dye chemist, Food chemist, Soil chemist, Wood chemist, Dairy chemist, Glass chemist, Water chemist, Enzyme chemist, Control chemist, Leather chemist, Medical chemist
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 tasks
- 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
How to become one
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.
Ways in
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 16 universities in Canada
- Licence or registration: Licensing by a provincial association of chemists is required in Quebec and available but voluntary, in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $74,997 a year The middle half earn $58,500 to $100,718.
- About 12,100 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 12,900 are projected by 2033. (+6.6%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Physicists and astronomers
- Geoscientists and oceanographers
- Meteorologists and climatologists
- Other professional occupations in physical sciences
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become a Chemist?
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.
How much does a Chemist earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $74,997 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $58,500 to $100,718.
Is a Chemist a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2033, from about 12,100 to about 12,900 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a Chemist?
Usually. 96% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03