NOC 2021 · 21110 · TEER 1
NOC 21110: Biologists and related scientists
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
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.
TEER
TEER 1
Usually needs a university degree
Median wage (Canada)
$40.00 / hour
Job Bank, 2023-2024
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Tier 3
+20 CRS for Canadian work, or 50 for a job offer
Express Entry categories
None
General and program draws only
Express Entry
How NOC 21110 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 21110 is in tier 3 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.
| 12+ months of Canadian work | +20 points on top of work-length points |
|---|---|
| Qualifying job offer (no LMIA) | 50 points |
You get whichever option scores higher, not both.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
NOC 21110 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:
- 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.
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
- 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 NOC 21110
- 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
Requirements
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.
This occupation may be regulated in some provinces. You may need a licence or certificate from the provincial regulator before you can work in it in Canada, even if you hold permanent residence.
Wages
Wages for NOC 21110 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 | $25.71 | $40.00 | $66.67 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $22.00 | $40.00 | $54.40 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Prince Edward Island | $31.25 | $35.90 | $44.71 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $24.62 | $37.50 | $51.06 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| New Brunswick | $23.84 | $41.00 | $59.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Quebec | $24.50 | $38.46 | $54.12 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Ontario | $24.50 | $40.00 | $69.23 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Manitoba | $25.52 | $37.00 | $57.69 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $28.22 | $42.85 | $61.71 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Alberta | $26.44 | $41.44 | $88.19 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| British Columbia | $28.85 | $42.00 | $60.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Nunavut | $40.56 | $57.46 | $77.25 | 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's 3-year employment outlook for this occupation, by province and territory.
ModerateNewfoundland and Labrador
The employment outlook will be Moderate for biologists and related scientists (NOC 21110) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
A Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in biology or a related field is typically the minimum educational requirement for work in this field, though a master's degree and/or five or more years of work experience are often preferred. A doctoral degree and/or post-doctoral experience is usually required to work as a research scientist or in an academic institution. Other employment requirements will vary depending on the area of specialization.
Here are some key facts about biologists and related scientists in Newfoundland and Labrador:
Approximately 400 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Biologists and related scientists mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 43%
Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 22%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 10%
Universities (NAICS 6113): 7%
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 5%
92% of biologists and related scientists work all year, while 8% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 49 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 48% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 52% compared to 49% 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 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 30% compared to 14% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 64% compared to 7% for all occupations
ModeratePrince Edward Island
The employment outlook will be Moderate for biologists and related scientists (NOC 21110) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of 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 biologists and related scientists in Prince Edward Island:
Approximately 200 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Biologists and related scientists mainly work in the following sectors:
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 19%
Food, beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (NAICS 311, 312): 15%
Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 11%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 11%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 11%
84% of biologists and related scientists work all year, while 16% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of biologists and related scientists are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 56% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 44% compared to 49% 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: n/a
bachelor's degree: 45% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 55% compared to 8% for all occupations
ModerateNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for biologists and related scientists (NOC 21110) in Nova Scotia 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 biologists and related scientists in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 1,000 people work in this occupation.
Biologists and related scientists mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 28%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 20%
Universities (NAICS 6113): 10%
Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 5%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 90% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 10% compared to 18% for all occupations
79% of biologists and related scientists work all year, while 21% 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 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
7% of biologists and related scientists are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 42% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 57% compared to 49% 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 27% 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: 33% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 64% compared to 10% for all occupations
ModerateSaskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Moderate for biologists and related scientists (NOC 21110) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of 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 biologists and related scientists in Saskatchewan:
Approximately 750 people work in this occupation.
Biologists and related scientists mainly work in the following sectors:
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 26%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 14%
Universities (NAICS 6113): 13%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 11%
Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 5%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 95% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
73% of biologists and related scientists work all year, while 27% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of biologists and related scientists are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 49% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 51% compared to 47% 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 33% 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 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 38% compared to 18% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 57% compared to 7% for all occupations
ModerateNorthwest Territories
The employment outlook will be Moderate for biologists and related scientists (NOC 21110) in Northwest Territories for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Individuals in this occupation are employed by public administration and private companies in the Northwest Territories.
Here are some key facts about biologists and related scientists in Northwest Territories:
Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Biologists and related scientists mainly work in the following sectors:
Public Administration and Defence (NAICS 91): 64%
Other Commercial Services (NAICS 54-56, 81): 28%
Tourism & Culture (NAICS 51, 71-72): 7%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 93% compared to 88% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 7% compared to 12% for all occupations
72% of biologists and related scientists work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 71% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 41% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 59% 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: n/a
bachelor's degree: 40% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 60% compared to 9% for all occupations
LimitedNew Brunswick
The employment outlook will be Limited for biologists and related scientists (NOC 21110) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of 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.
Biologists and related scientists are employed across various industries, though are most likely to be found in scientific and technical consulting, government, research and development services and in health care.
Climate change had a major impact on this occupation in recent years, due to increasing focus on mediation and adaptation technologies.
Employment requirements will vary depending on the area of specialization. For those working with large datasets, employers tend to seek individuals with proficiency in a computer programming language such as Python. Technical writing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) skills are often considered an asset.
Here are some key facts about biologists and related scientists in New Brunswick:
Approximately 950 people work in this occupation.
Biologists and related scientists mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 38%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 13%
Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 9%
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 9%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 8%
85% of biologists and related scientists 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 48 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of biologists and related scientists are self-employed compared to an average of 10% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 47% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 53% 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 30% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 23% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 35% compared to 16% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 57% compared to 7% for all occupations
LimitedManitoba
The employment outlook will be Limited for biologists and related scientists (NOC 21110) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of a few positions.
Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Demand for this occupation is driven by federal and provincial investments in life sciences (health, agri-food, and clean biotech), clinical trial improvement, and domestic vaccine and biomanufacturing capacity.
Key trends for this occupation include using IT to analyze biological data (bioinformatics), artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to analyze research data and develop new drugs, and genetic and cellular technologies, like gene editing and gene and cell therapy, for disease treatment and in agriculture applications.
Jobs are concentrated in the Winnipeg region.
Here are some key facts about biologists and related scientists in Manitoba:
Approximately 1,250 people work in this occupation.
Biologists and related scientists mainly work in the following sectors:
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 22%
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 18%
Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 12%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 10%
Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 7%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 93% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 7% compared to 19% for all occupations
81% of biologists and related scientists work all year, while 19% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of biologists and related scientists are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 41% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 59% compared to 47% 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 31% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 42% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 52% compared to 8% for all occupations
LimitedAlberta
The employment outlook will be Limited for biologists and related scientists (NOC 21110) in Alberta 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 biologists and related scientists in Alberta:
Approximately 4,700 people work in this occupation.
Biologists and related scientists mainly work in the following sectors:
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 27%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 15%
Universities (NAICS 6113): 9%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 8%
Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 8%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 92% compared to 80% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 8% compared to 20% for all occupations
75% of biologists and related scientists work all year, while 25% 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 46 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
10% of biologists and related scientists are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 45% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 55% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 43% compared to 21% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 52% compared to 9% for all occupations
LimitedBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Limited for biologists and related scientists (NOC 21110) 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 moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Employment opportunities in this occupation are supported by government programs and regulations in areas of ecosystem health, biodiversity conservation management of fisheries, and sustainable aquaculture.
Demand for this occupation is influenced by growth in the life sciences industry.
British Columbia is home to more than 300 life sciences companies, including biopharmaceutical and medical device companies, and recent investment are expected to increase job opportunities.
For example, the Government of Canada has provided funding to adMare BioInnovations to establish a new innovation centre in Vancouver.
This facility will support local biotech research and development by offering early-stage life sciences companies the resources they need to grow and advance their innovations.
Here are some key facts about biologists and related scientists in British Columbia:
Approximately 5,900 people work in this occupation.
Biologists and related scientists mainly work in the following sectors:
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 31%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 13%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 7%
Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 7%
Universities (NAICS 6113): 6%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 91% compared to 78% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 9% compared to 22% for all occupations
75% of biologists and related scientists work all year, while 25% 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 46 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
10% of biologists and related scientists are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 44% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 56% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 38% compared to 22% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 57% compared to 12% for all occupations
Very limitedQuebec
The employment outlook will be Very limited for biologists and related scientists (NOC 21110) in Quebec 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 moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about biologists and related scientists in Quebec:
Approximately 6,400 people work in this occupation.
Biologists and related scientists mainly work in the following sectors:
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 30%
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 11%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 10%
Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 8%
Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 7%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 93% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 7% compared to 18% for all occupations
77% of biologists and related scientists work all year, while 23% 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 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of biologists and related scientists are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 35% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 65% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 12% for all occupations
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: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 31% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 63% compared to 11% for all occupations
Very limitedOntario
The employment outlook will be Very limited for biologists and related scientists (NOC 21110) 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 moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about biologists and related scientists in Ontario:
Approximately 12,850 people work in this occupation.
Biologists and related scientists mainly work in the following sectors:
Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 28%
Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 12%
Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 10%
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 7%
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 6%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 94% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 6% compared to 19% for all occupations
79% of biologists and related scientists work all year, while 21% 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 biologists and related scientists are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 39% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 61% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 34% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 61% compared to 13% for all occupations
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 21110 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
Life science professionals
Questions
NOC 21110: common questions
What is the NOC code for biologists and related scientists?
What TEER category is NOC 21110?
Is NOC 21110 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 21110 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 21110 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 21110 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
- 2111Life science professionalsMinor Group
- 21110Biologists and related scientists
Enquiry
Is NOC 21110 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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