NOC 2021 · 21100 · TEER 1
NOC 21100: Physicists and astronomers
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Physicists conduct theoretical and applied research to extend knowledge of natural phenomena and to develop new processes and devices in fields such as electronics, communications, power generation and distribution, aerodynamics, optics and lasers, remote sensing, biotechnology, medicine and health. They are employed by electronic, electrical and aerospace manufacturing companies, telecommunications companies, power utilities, university and government research laboratories, hospitals and by a wide range of other processing, manufacturing, and research and consulting firms. Astronomers conduct observational and theoretical research to extend knowledge of the universe. They are employed by government and universities.
TEER
TEER 1
Usually needs a university degree
Median wage (Canada)
$56.49 / hour
Job Bank, 2023-2024
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Tier 2
+40 CRS for Canadian work, or 70 for a job offer
Express Entry categories
None
General and program draws only
Express Entry
How NOC 21100 counts for Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of continuous skilled (TEER 0–3) work in the last 10 years and 67 points on the FSW grid.
- Canadian Experience Class: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work in Canada in the last 3 years.
- Federal Skilled Trades: not eligibleNeeds 2 years of work in an eligible trade group in the last 5 years, plus a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
High-wage CRS points
NOC 21100 is in tier 2 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.
| 12+ months of Canadian work | +40 points on top of work-length points |
|---|---|
| Qualifying job offer (no LMIA) | 70 points |
You get whichever option scores higher, not both.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
NOC 21100 is not on any of IRCC's 2026 occupation categories. You can still be invited through general, program-specific or French-language draws.
IRCC category listsDuties
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Physicists
- Design and conduct research in experimental and theoretical physics
- Carry out analysis of research data and prepare research reports
- Participate as a member of a research or development team in the design and development of experimental, industrial or medical equipment, instrumentation and procedures.
- Physicists may specialize in fields such as aeronomy and space, acoustics, atomic and molecular physics, biophysics, condensed matter or solid state physics, electromagnetics, fluids and aerodynamics, health physics, medical physics, metrology, particle physics, optics and laser physics, nuclear physics and plasma physics.
- Astronomers
- Design and conduct observational surveys, conduct detailed analyses and develop numerical models to extend knowledge of celestial bodies and cosmic radiation
- Develop or participate in the development of instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.
- Astronomers may specialize in fields such as astrophysics, observational or optical astronomy and radio astronomy.
For Express Entry, your experience must match the lead statement and most of these duties, not only the job title.
Job titles
Example job titles
- acoustics physicist
- aerodynamicist
- aerospace research scientist
- astronomer
- astrophysicist
- atmospheric physicist
- biophysicist
- cosmologist
- electronics research scientist
- experimental physicist
- health physicist
- medical physicist
- metrologist
- nuclear physicist
- optics physicist
- physics research scientist
- plasma physicist
- radio astronomer
- remote sensing research scientist
- solid-state physicist
All 56 job titles in NOC 21100
- acoustics physicist
- aerodynamicist
- aerophysicist
- aerospace research scientist
- astronomer
- astrophysicist
- atmospheric physicist
- biophysicist
- chemical physicist
- communications research scientist
- cosmic ray physicist
- cosmologist
- cryogenics physicist
- crystal physicist
- electricity and magnetism physicist
- electronics physicist
- electronics research scientist
- elementary particle physicist
- elementary particle theorist
- experimental physicist
- fluid physicist
- health physicist
- high-temperature physicist
- laser physicist
- low-temperature physicist
- magnetism physicist
- mathematical biophysicist
- mechanics physicist
- medical biophysicist
- medical engineering biophysicist
- medical physicist
- metal physicist
- metrologist
- microwave physicist
- molecular biophysicist
- nanotechnology physicist
- nuclear physicist
- nuclear reactor physicist
- optics physicist
- particle accelerator physicist
- particle physicist
- photonics physicist
- physicist
- physics research scientist
- plasma physicist
- radiation biophysicist
- radio astronomer
- reactor physicist
- remote sensing research scientist
- rheologist
- semiconductor physicist
- solid-state physicist
- space physicist
- theoretical nuclear physicist
- thermal physicist
- X-ray physicist
Requirements
Employment requirements
- Physicists usually require a master's or doctoral degree in a field of physics, engineering physics, or in a related discipline.
- Astronomers usually require a master's or doctoral degree in astronomy or in a related discipline.
Additional information
- Mobility between specializations within physics and within astronomy is possible with experience.
- Physicists may work closely with and perform some of the duties of engineers.
- Mobility is possible to the fields of meteorology, geophysics and other fields of science.
- Progression to management positions is possible with experience.
Wages
Wages for NOC 21100 in Canada
Low, median and high wages per hour in Canadian dollars, from ESDC Job Bank's 2025 wage data.
| Region | Low | Median | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $34.95 | $56.49 | $96.15 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $28.32 | $47.47 | $72.39 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Quebec | $33.92 | $50.28 | $77.30 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Ontario | $37.03 | $60.08 | $92.98 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Manitoba | $35.02 | $64.71 | $96.38 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $37.09 | $65.83 | $85.31 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Alberta | $32.55 | $57.20 | $84.81 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| British Columbia | $34.29 | $52.43 | $78.80 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
Provinces with too little data are not shown. Wages vary by city and employer; see Job Bank for regional figures.
Job outlook
Job outlook by province, 2025–2027
Job Bank rates the 3-year outlook as good or very good in Quebec.
GoodQuebec
The employment outlook will be Good for physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about physicists and astronomers in Quebec:
Approximately 650 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Physicists and astronomers mainly work in the following sectors:
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 33%
Computer and electronic product manufacturing (NAICS 334): 12%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 11%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 10%
Universities (NAICS 6113): 9%
85% of physicists and astronomers work all year, while 15% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 49 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of physicists and astronomers are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 78% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 22% 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 19% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 7% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 15% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 72% compared to 11% for all occupations
ModerateOntario
The employment outlook will be Moderate for physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
Not many 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?
A variety of industries, but the main employers are professional, scientific and technical services companies such as scientific research and development firms
Federal government departments and agencies
Hospitals, and manufacturers
What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?
Physicists may benefit from:
Federal budget commitments to science and research
Large investments in nuclear power, and the need for professionals in health physics, particularly in oncology and nuclear medicine departments in hospitals
Continuing work on Canada’s space program may create work for astronomers
Increased global demand for medical devices and greater use of navigational and guidance instruments for the aerospace industry may lead to some work in this field
What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?
Some employers may prefer health and medical physicists to have membership or fellowship in the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine or the equivalent.
Here are some key facts about physicists and astronomers in Ontario:
Approximately 1,100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Physicists and astronomers mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 22%
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 21%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 14%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 9%
Utilities (NAICS 22): 8%
90% of physicists and astronomers work all year, while 10% 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 49 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of physicists and astronomers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 78% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 22% 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: n/a
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: 16% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 80% compared to 13% for all occupations
LimitedBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Limited for physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about physicists and astronomers in British Columbia:
Approximately 500 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Physicists and astronomers mainly work in the following sectors:
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 30%
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 23%
Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 15%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 12%
Computer, electronic and electrical product manufacturing (NAICS 334-335): 5%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 92% compared to 78% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 8% compared to 22% for all occupations
82% of physicists and astronomers work all year, while 18% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
7% of physicists and astronomers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 77% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 23% 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 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: 9% compared to 22% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 87% compared to 12% for all occupations
UndeterminedNewfoundland and Labrador
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedPrince Edward Island
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNova Scotia
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNew Brunswick
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedManitoba
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedSaskatchewan
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedAlberta
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNorthwest Territories
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNunavut
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Source: ESDC Job Bank, 3-year employment outlooks 2025–2027 (released December 2025).
Provinces
Provincial Nominee Programs
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. Most provinces run occupation-targeted draws or in-demand lists, and some accept TEER 4 and 5 occupations that Express Entry does not.
Provincial lists change often, sometimes between draws. We check whether NOC 21100 is being targeted by any province as part of a consultation.
Similar occupations
Related NOC codes
Classified elsewhere
If your duties fit one of these better, use that code instead.
Same occupation group
Physical science professionals
Questions
NOC 21100: common questions
What is the NOC code for physicists and astronomers?
What TEER category is NOC 21100?
Is NOC 21100 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 21100 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 21100 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 21100 in Canada?
Classification
Where it sits in NOC 2021
- 2Natural and applied sciences and related occupationsBroad Category
- 21Professional occupations in natural and applied sciencesMajor Group
- 211Professional occupations in natural sciencesSub-major Group
- 2110Physical science professionalsMinor Group
- 21100Physicists and astronomers
Enquiry
Is NOC 21100 your occupation? Ask us about your options.
Tell us your duties, experience and language scores. We will confirm your NOC code and the Canadian routes that fit.
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0, Job Bank wages (2025), Job Bank outlooks 2025–2027 and IRCC. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Checked 21 October 2026.
NOC 2026 is due from Statistics Canada in December 2026. IRCC still uses NOC 2021 codes, and this page will show any change once IRCC switches.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, IRCC or ESDC.
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