NOC 21109: Other professional occupations in physical sciences
What other professional occupations in physical sciences do
Professionals in other physical sciences occupations conduct theoretical and applied research in fields of physical science. Metallurgists, soil scientists and physical scientists and researchers are included in this unit group. They are employed by governments, educational institutions and a wide range of industrial establishments.
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Metallurgists
- Conduct studies into the properties and production of metals and alloys.
- Soil scientists
- Conduct research into the composition, distribution and evolution of soils.
- Materials scientists
- Conduct research into the properties, composition and production of materials such as ceramics and composite materials.
- Astronauts
- Command, pilot or serve as crew members of a spacecraft to conduct scientific experiments and research, and participate in space missions as mission specialists to maintain spacecraft, install and repair space station equipment and launch and recapture satellites.
Job titles under NOC 21109
19 job titles are classified here, including astronaut, ballistics examiner, materials scientist.
- astronaut
- ballistician
- ballistics examiner
- cosmonaut
- extractive metallurgist
- firearms examiner
- firearms expert
- hydrometallurgist
- materials engineering scientist
- materials scientist
- metallographer
- metallurgist
- pedologist
- physical metallurgist
- pyrometallurgist
- research metallurgist
- research scientist - ceramics
- research scientist - composite materials
- soil scientist
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in metallurgy, physics, chemistry, or a related physical science discipline is required.
- A master's or doctoral degree is usually required for employment as a research scientist.
- Advanced degrees in a broad range of applied science areas, such as engineering or medicine or Licences may be required for some occupations in this unit group.
Other professional occupations in physical sciences 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 | $27.78/hr | $43.00/hr | $75.90/hr |
Toronto ON | $33.97/hr | $46.10/hr | $66.10/hr |
Ottawa ON | $33.00/hr | $44.29/hr | $61.57/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $29.62/hr | $42.16/hr | $60.75/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Quebec | $29.62/hr | $42.16/hr | $60.75/hr |
Ontario | $32.41/hr | $45.99/hr | $75.96/hr |
British Columbia | $30.87/hr | $45.16/hr | $66.00/hr |
Using NOC 21109 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 19 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (NOC 72600)
- Architecture and science managers (NOC 20011)
- Chemists (NOC 21101)
- Metallurgical and materials engineers (NOC 21322)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for other professional occupations in physical sciences?
Other professional occupations in physical sciences are NOC 2021 unit group 21109. Example job titles in this group include astronaut, ballistics examiner, materials scientist, metallurgist.
What TEER is NOC 21109?
NOC 21109 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 other professional occupations in physical sciences earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $43.00/hr, about $84,000 a year full-time, with a range of $27.78/hr to $75.90/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.