NOC 21102: Geoscientists and oceanographers
What geoscientists and oceanographers do
Geoscientists include geologists, geochemists and geophysicists who conduct programs of exploration and research to extend knowledge of the structure, composition and processes of the earth, to locate, identify and extract hydrocarbon, mineral and groundwater resources and to assess and mitigate the effects of development and waste disposal projects on the environment. Oceanographers conduct programs of exploration and research on ocean processes and phenomena, biological, chemical and physical characteristics of oceans, interactions with atmospheric and geological environments and impacts of human activity on oceans and marine ecosystems. Geoscientists are employed by petroleum and mining companies, consulting geology, geophysics and engineering firms and by governments and educational institutions, or they may be self-employed. Oceanographers are employed by governments, educational institutions and private companies engaged in exploration of seafloor deposits and seafarming areas, or they may be self-employed.
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Geoscientists
- Conduct theoretical and applied research to extend knowledge of surface and subsurface features of the earth, its history and the operation of physical, chemical and biological systems that control its evolution
- Plan, direct and participate in geological, geochemical and geophysical field studies, drilling and geological testing programs
- Plan and conduct seismic, geodetic, electromagnetic, magnetic, gravimetric, radiometric, radar and other remote sensing programs
- Plan, direct and participate in analyses of geological, geochemical and geophysical survey data, well logs and other test results, maps, notes and cross sections
- Develop models and applied software for the analysis and interpretation of data
- Plan and conduct analytical studies of core samples, drill cuttings and rock samples to identify chemical, mineral, hydrocarbon and biological composition and to assess depositional environments and geological age
- Assess the size, orientation and composition of mineral ore bodies and hydrocarbon deposits
- Identify deposits of construction materials and determine their characteristics and suitability for use as concrete aggregates, road fill or for other applications
- Conduct geological and geophysical studies for regional development and advise in areas such as site selection, waste management and restoration of contaminated sites
- Recommend the acquisition of lands, exploration and mapping programs and mine development
- Identify and advise on anticipated natural risks such as slope erosion, landslides, soil instability, subsidence, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
- May supervise and coordinate well drilling, completion and work-overs and mining activities.
- Geologists may specialize in fields such as coal geology, environmental geology, geochronology, hydrogeology, mineral deposits or mining, petroleum geology, stratigraphy, tectonics, volcanology or in other fields.
- Geochemists may specialize in analytical geochemistry, hydrogeochemistry, mineral or petroleum geochemistry or in other fields.
- Geophysicists may specialize in areas, such as petroleum geology, earth physics, geodesy, geoelectromagnetism, seismology or in other fields.
- Oceanographers
- Conduct theoretical and applied oceanographic research programs and expeditions to extend knowledge of the physical, chemical and biological properties and functioning of oceans
- Plan, direct and participate in sampling and analysis of seawater, plankton, fish, sediments and rocks
- Study physical properties of oceans to develop models, charts and computer simulations of ocean conditions, such as tides, waves, currents and sediment transport
- Explore ocean floor and submarine geological structures, conduct seismic surveys and study formation of ocean basins and other structures to map ocean floor, coastal erosion, sediment accumulation and areas for offshore oil and gas exploration
- Plan and conduct investigations on ocean chemical properties and processes, ocean floor and marine atmosphere and undersea volcanoes to study impacts of environmental changes
- Study marine life and interaction with physical and chemical environments to assess impacts of pollutants on marine ecology and to develop ecologically-based methods of seafarming.
- Oceanographers may specialize in biological, chemical, geological or physical oceanography, or in other fields related to the study of oceans.
Job titles under NOC 21102
54 job titles are classified here, including development geologist, environmental geologist, exploration geologist.
- biological oceanographer
- biostratigrapher
- chemical oceanographer
- coal geologist
- consulting geologist
- consulting geophysicist
- development geologist
- environmental geologist
- exploration geologist
- exploration geophysicist
- fisheries oceanographer
- geochemist
- geodesist
- geological oceanographer
- geologist
- geomorphologist
- geophysicist
- glaciologist
- groundwater geologist
- hydrogeologist
- hydrographic surveyor - geology
- hydrologist
- ice specialist - oceanography
- marine geologist
Employment requirements
- Geoscientists require a university degree in geology, geochemistry, geophysics or a related discipline.
- A master's or doctoral degree in geophysics, physics, mathematics or engineering may be required for employment as a geophysicist.
- Registration with a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers, geologists, geophysicists or geoscientists is usually required for employment and is mandatory to practice in all provinces and territories except Prince Edward Island and the Yukon.
- Geologists and geophysicists are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program and after several years of supervised work experience and, in some provinces, after passing a professional practice examination.
- Oceanographers require a university degree in science, mathematics, statistics or engineering and usually require a graduate degree in oceanography.
Geoscientists and oceanographers 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 | $30.77/hr | $50.00/hr | $100.00/hr |
Toronto ON | $33.65/hr | $57.69/hr | $79.49/hr |
Montréal QC | $31.26/hr | $45.86/hr | $65.79/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $36.06/hr | $54.95/hr | $108.17/hr |
Calgary AB | $28.85/hr | $44.43/hr | $117.95/hr |
Ottawa ON | $33.65/hr | $57.69/hr | $79.49/hr |
Winnipeg MB | $33.70/hr | $48.12/hr | $70.04/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $31.25/hr | $48.08/hr | $66.67/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $33.65/hr | $57.69/hr | $79.49/hr |
Halifax NS | $30.53/hr | $45.45/hr | $65.79/hr |
Victoria Vancouver Island and Coast region, BC | $30.77/hr | $51.28/hr | $87.18/hr |
Saskatoon Saskatoon–Biggar region, SK | $27.50/hr | $52.20/hr | $77.88/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | $27.47/hr | $50.00/hr | $96.15/hr |
Nova Scotia | $30.67/hr | $48.72/hr | $76.92/hr |
New Brunswick | $30.67/hr | $48.72/hr | $76.92/hr |
Quebec | $31.25/hr | $48.08/hr | $66.67/hr |
Ontario | $33.65/hr | $57.69/hr | $79.49/hr |
Manitoba | $23.17/hr | $44.23/hr | $51.92/hr |
Saskatchewan | $27.50/hr | $52.20/hr | $77.88/hr |
Alberta | $28.85/hr | $44.43/hr | $117.95/hr |
British Columbia | $30.77/hr | $51.28/hr | $87.18/hr |
Using NOC 21102 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 54 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)
- Biologists and related scientists (NOC 21110)
- Chemists (NOC 21101)
- Geological engineers (NOC 21331)
- Managers in natural resources production and fishing (NOC 80010)
- Physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for geoscientists and oceanographers?
Geoscientists and oceanographers are NOC 2021 unit group 21102. Example job titles in this group include development geologist, environmental geologist, exploration geologist, geochemist.
What TEER is NOC 21102?
NOC 21102 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 geoscientists and oceanographers earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $50.00/hr, about $98,000 a year full-time, with a range of $30.77/hr to $100.00/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.