21320 – Chemical engineers
Lead statement
Chemical engineers research, design, and develop chemical processes and equipment, oversee the operation and maintenance of industrial chemical, plastics, pharmaceutical, resource, pulp and paper, and food processing plants and perform duties related to chemical quality control, environmental protection and biochemical or biotechnical engineering.
Main duties
- Conduct economic and technical feasibility studies in areas related to chemical, petroleum, pulp and paper, food or other processing industries
- Conduct research into the development or improvement of chemical engineering processes, reactions and materials
- Evaluate chemical process technology and equipment and determine production specifications
- Design and test chemical processing and associated plants and equipment
- Oversee the construction, modification, operation and maintenance of pilot plants, processing units or processing plants
- Establish and conduct quality control programs, operating procedures and control strategies to ensure consistency and adherence to standards for raw materials, products and waste products or emissions
- Prepare contract documents and evaluate tenders for the process aspects of industrial construction
- Supervise technicians, technologists and other engineers
- May work in an administrative capacity, for example, in the development of guidelines and specifications for the handling of dangerous chemicals, environmental protection, or standards for foods, materials and consumer goods.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Example job titles
adhesives engineer · biochemical and biotechnical engineer · biochemical engineer · biotechnology engineer · chemical engineer · design and development chemical engineer · environmental chemical engineer · production chemical engineer · research chemical engineer · chemical process engineer · chief chemical engineer · chief process engineer · chemical coating engineer · electrochemical engineer · industrial hygiene engineer · pulp and paper chemical engineer · pulp and paper engineer · explosives engineer · fuels engineer · industrial waste treatment engineer · liquid fuels engineer · petrochemical engineer · pipeline transport engineer · plastics engineer · polymer engineer · chemical process control engineer · chemical project engineer · refinery engineer · waste treatment engineer · petroleum refinery process engineer · biotechnical engineer · biochemical development engineer
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $27.45 | $51.92 | $76.92 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $38.44 | $56.50 | $72.17 |
| New Brunswick | $33.35 | $52.45 | $72.52 |
| Quebec | $25.00 | $44.31 | $65.38 |
| Ontario | $28.85 | $51.28 | $72.12 |
| Manitoba | $27.67 | $40.32 | $60.24 |
| Saskatchewan | $27.92 | $46.43 | $81.39 |
| Alberta | $44.23 | $64.90 | $118.79 |
| British Columbia | $25.64 | $53.33 | $70.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.