NOC 21101: Chemists
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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
NOC 21101 (Chemists) is a TEER 1 occupation, so it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It is on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 3: +20 CRS for 12+ months of Canadian work, or 50 for a job offer. It isn't on any current category-based draw list.
TEER
TEER 1
Skilled for Express Entry
High-wage
Level 3
+20 work · 50 job offer
Category draws
None
IRCC 2026 lists
| NOC 2021 code | 21101 |
|---|---|
| Title | Chemists |
| Broad category | Natural and applied sciences and related occupations |
| TEER | TEER 1 — usually requires a university degree |
CRS points for this occupation
Under the Labour Market Integration factor, IRCC gives you the higher of: your Canadian work-length points plus 20 for 12+ months of qualifying work in a Level 3 occupation, or 50 points for a valid job offer in it. How job offer points work.
Example job titles
- agricultural chemist
- analytical chemist
- bioanalytical chemist
- biochemist
- chemist
- clinical chemist
- coatings chemist
- electrochemist
Main duties
- 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
Your duties should match the lead statement and most of the main duties to use this NOC — check the full profile on the official NOC site.
Related occupations
- NOC 21100 — Physicists and astronomers
- NOC 21102 — Geoscientists and oceanographers
- NOC 21103 — Meteorologists and climatologists
- NOC 21109 — Other professional occupations in physical sciences
- NOC 21110 — Biologists and related scientists
- NOC 21111 — Forestry professionals
- NOC 21112 — Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists
- NOC 21120 — Public and environmental health and safety professionals
- NOC 21200 — Architects
- NOC 21201 — Landscape architects
← NOC 21100 Physicists and astronomers · NOC 21102 Geoscientists and oceanographers →
Calculate your CRS score → · All NOC codes · High-wage list
TEER 1 also matters for work permits: see the spousal open work permit (TEER rules for spouses of workers), LMIA explained and the Atlantic Immigration Program (job offers in TEER 0–4).
Sources: Statistics Canada NOC 2021 V1.0; IRCC high-wage occupations; IRCC category-based selection; IRCC who can apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is NOC 21101 eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 21101 is a TEER 1 occupation. IRCC counts work in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations as skilled work experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, as long as all other program requirements are met.
Is NOC 21101 a high-wage occupation?+
Yes. It's on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 3. From November 3, 2026, 12+ months of qualifying Canadian work in it adds 20 CRS points, or a valid job offer in it is worth 50 points (whichever is higher).
Which Express Entry category draws include NOC 21101?+
None of IRCC's current category-based selection lists include NOC 21101. Candidates can still be invited in general, program-specific (such as CEC) or PNP rounds.