NOC 21100: Physicists and astronomers
What physicists and astronomers do
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.
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.
Job titles under NOC 21100
56 job titles are classified here, including acoustics physicist, aerodynamicist, aerospace research scientist.
- 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
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.
Physicists and astronomers wages in Canada
Low, median and high hourly wages from Job Bank’s 2025 wage data. Annual figures assume full-time work (1,950 hours a year).
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Canada | $34.95/hr | $56.49/hr | $96.15/hr |
Toronto ON | $37.01/hr | $61.30/hr | $88.19/hr |
Montréal QC | $36.44/hr | $54.01/hr | $73.93/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $35.18/hr | $52.88/hr | $75.55/hr |
Calgary AB | $34.53/hr | $58.39/hr | $79.87/hr |
Edmonton AB | $32.22/hr | $55.36/hr | $80.22/hr |
Ottawa ON | $37.66/hr | $58.91/hr | $83.08/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $33.92/hr | $50.28/hr | $77.30/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $42.43/hr | $65.03/hr | $96.42/hr |
Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie region, ON | $36.97/hr | $59.60/hr | $81.56/hr |
London ON | $38.01/hr | $63.27/hr | $85.98/hr |
Halifax NS | $29.40/hr | $48.41/hr | $67.59/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Nova Scotia | $28.32/hr | $47.47/hr | $72.39/hr |
Quebec | $33.92/hr | $50.28/hr | $77.30/hr |
Ontario | $37.03/hr | $60.08/hr | $92.98/hr |
Manitoba | $35.02/hr | $64.71/hr | $96.38/hr |
Saskatchewan | $37.09/hr | $65.83/hr | $85.31/hr |
Alberta | $32.55/hr | $57.20/hr | $84.81/hr |
British Columbia | $34.29/hr | $52.43/hr | $78.80/hr |
Using NOC 21100 for your resume or Express Entry profile
- IRCC asks you to make sure the main duties listed for your NOC match what you actually did at your job. If they don’t, look for another unit group whose duties do.
- Describe your own work in your own words. Recruiters and ATS software look for concrete tools, results and scope, not text copied from the NOC.
- Applying from outside Canada? Run your resume through the Canadian resume format checker to catch things Canadian employers don’t expect, like a photo or date of birth.
- Use the job title the employer’s posting uses. The 56 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Architecture and science managers (NOC 20011)
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (NOC 21311)
- Geophysicist (NOC 21102)
- Physical oceanographer (NOC 21102)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for physicists and astronomers?
Physicists and astronomers are NOC 2021 unit group 21100. Example job titles in this group include acoustics physicist, aerodynamicist, aerospace research scientist, astronomer.
What TEER is NOC 21100?
NOC 21100 is TEER 1 (University degree). Usually requires a university degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate), or experience from a related TEER 2 occupation. TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 work counts as skilled work experience for Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class programs.
How much do physicists and astronomers earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $56.49/hr, about $110,000 a year full-time, with a range of $34.95/hr to $96.15/hr.
Related occupations
Sources: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0; Employment and Social Development Canada, Job Bank wages (2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. OfferJetAI is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Check IRCC’s NOC guidance before you apply.