The knowledge of chemistry is vast and you can apply it to a variety of different careers. With a chemistry degree, you can work in a laboratory as a research chemist or in the pharmaceutical industry as a product development chemist. There are lots of highest-paying chemistry jobs in Canada, as there’s a high demand to fill the skill gaps.
The field of chemistry is very wide, from biochemists who use their knowledge in medical research to forensic chemists who are involved in law enforcement and legal affairs. However, as a chemist, you may have the opportunity to advise the government on policy for an organization to address chemical safety and toxicity.
With how extensive this field is, you can immigrate and secure some of the highest-paying chemistry jobs in Canada. You may also use a chemistry degree to enter the field of education as a chemistry teacher. Now you know that a chemistry degree is flexible as it qualifies you to work in a variety of fields.
Let’s not forget the chemical engineers who are involved in using chemicals to make or enhance products. Furthermore, chemistry skills are in high demand in the healthcare industry and pharmaceutical research. Finally, a chemistry degree can qualify you to work in the public sector in law, forensics, chemical inspections, or regulation.
In this article, we will take you through some of the highest-paying chemistry jobs in Canada. We will also state their annual salary. So, let’s get started!
Highest-Paying Chemistry Jobs in Canada
1. Medicinal Chemist
Medicinal chemists are also referred to as pharmaceutical chemists. They are responsible for discovering new natural elements from plants for medicinal use. And also create new synthetic drug compounds. Furthermore, they are concerned with the study of drug reactions and the development of new therapeutic agents with synthetic organic chemistry for drug formulas.
Medicinal chemists work with a team of scientists, they evaluate and test new pharmaceutical products before moving the drug to chemical trials. Also, they help to enhance and streamline current drug processes to make production more cost-effective. Medicinal chemists are one of the highest-paying chemistry jobs in Canada and can earn an average salary of $125,000 annually.
2. Wet Chemistry Analyst
Wet chemistry analysts work with chemical samples in a lab environment. Their major responsibilities are to collect samples, interpret data, and document or report results. This field got the name “wet chemistry” because most research methodologies require you to work with chemical elements in liquid form in beakers.
Furthermore, the qualifications required include a post-secondary degree and experience. As a wet chemistry analyst in Canada, you can earn an average salary of $110,000 every year.
3. Research Chemist
As a research chemist, you’ll have to experiment with different chemical compounds to discover new applications for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. As well as for electronics and products in various industries. Meanwhile, your major focus will be on specific scientific procedures.
Your job duties also include examining the interaction of chemical compounds and applying your findings to consumer products. Also, you’ll experiment with improvements and innovations to products and scientific methods. The required qualifications for this job include a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and at least one year of laboratory work experience. Research chemists in Canada can earn an average salary of $75,000 annually.
4. Formulation Chemist
Formulation chemists are responsible for product testing and development of pharmaceuticals or household products like cosmetics, soaps, and more. As a formulation chemist, your job role includes mixing different agents or compounds. They also perform UV tests to determine product safety and potential for use.
Furthermore, formulation chemists can also work in other industries like oil and gas, where they inspect octane levels for car fuel. You might also find work as a cosmetic chemist where you test makeup and perfumes. Others work in the food industry where they test and create ingredients and flavor additives. Additionally, formulation chemists in Canada can earn an average salary of $70,000 per year.
5. Chemical Engineer
Chemical Engineers help to create and develop manufacturing processes for different chemicals. Meanwhile, they have the opportunity to work in a variety of industries like pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and food processing. And also environmental health, health care, and design and construction.
Working as a chemical engineer, you’ll research new techniques for producing chemicals, create these processes, estimate the cost of production, and implement related safety procedures. As such, you will ensure the well-being of employees who will work with those chemicals. Additionally, chemical engineers are one of the highest-paying chemistry jobs in Canada and earn an average of $105,000 per year.
6. Synthetic Chemist
A synthetic chemist makes chemicals for industrial, manufacturing, as well as retail use. They can work in various fields, such as food science, pharmaceuticals, fuel technology, or cleaning products. Working as a synthetic chemist, you’ll be tasked with testing compounds, assessing molecule reactions, and also working on purification processes.
The required qualifications for the job role of a synthetic chemist depend on the particular industry. However, you must at least have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related subject. Also, you must have laboratory experience and strong problem-solving skills. Synthetic chemists in Canada can earn an average salary of $89,000 per year.
7. Chemical Operations Specialist
Chemical operations specialists are responsible for eliminating dangerous and potentially harmful chemical materials. As a chemical operations specialist, you can work for the National Guard or other military services. Your job responsibilities include decontaminating an area and testing liquid, gaseous, or solid materials for the presence of chemical toxicity and other potential hazards.
Furthermore, you may work on scooping or dumping materials to eliminate them. As a civilian, a chemical operations worker often fills or empties containers with chemicals and transports them to different locations. Chemical operations specialists in Canada may earn an average salary of $92,000 per year.
8. Organic Chemist
Organic chemists can do a variety of science-based jobs but it will depend on their desired specialization. Most positions involve taking analyses of carbon-based materials from their molecular structure to chemical properties. As an organic chemist, you can analyze living organisms, new pharmaceuticals, and lots more.
Furthermore, you can create new molecules based on one found in nature and also do some research to understand the most effective processes. Your job responsibilities include using advanced technology like nuclear magnetic resonance to study magnetic fields around atomic nuclei. As well as the use of chromatography tools for separating substances into their compounds.
Meanwhile, you will spend most of your time writing reports and recording your findings. As an organic chemist in Canada, you may earn an average salary of $85,000 per year.
9. Biochemist
A biochemist makes proper plans and conducts projects in applied and basic biochemical research. They also prepare technical reports, and recommendations, and present their findings to colleagues and other scientists that detect illnesses, diseases, and genetic disorders. Furthermore, their findings help in the improvement of medical treatments and processes.
They also help to manage lab teams, research the effects of substances on organisms, and isolate, analyze, and synthesize DNA, proteins, and enzymes. This job is one of the highest-paying chemistry jobs in Canada and they get paid an average salary of $105,000 per year.
10. Textile Chemist
A textile chemist works by applying technical knowledge of chemistry to the production and designing of textiles like clothes, furniture, curtains, and many more. Your job role as a textile chemist may be focused on a particular aspect of the process. This may include dyeing, quality assurance, or research, as well as developing new techniques or fibers.
Furthermore, the required qualifications to work as a textile chemist include a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and experience with textile materials. However, some positions may require an advanced degree. Essentially, have an eye for detail and analytical problem-solving skills. You can earn an average annual salary of $75,000 working as a textile chemist in Canada.
11. Industrial Chemist
Industrial chemists work closely with chemical engineers to transform breakthroughs in chemical science into a stack of produced goods. Your job role as an industrial chemist includes enhancing previous chemical production technology, methods, materials, and processes.
In this career, several qualifications such as education, job training, and specialized skills are required. You must also have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a closely related field, with experience working in a lab setting. Important qualities for the job include analytical problem-solving and the ability to collaborate with others. You may earn an annual average salary of $65,000 as an industrial chemist in Canada.
12. Forensic Chemist
Forensic chemists usually work closely with medical examiners to assist them with post-mortem toxicology and evidence. However, the job roles of forensics can go beyond investigations into causes of death. Furthermore, they help process information and chemicals, analyze toxicology reports, and perform chemical tests on specimens.
Also, they work with a team of experts to conclude the data. Forensic chemists are also one of the highest-paying chemistry jobs in Canada and may earn an average salary of $75,000 per year.