Analyst (Agribusiness / Agricultural / Environmental Policy), Specialist (Agriculture / Beef / Crop / Farm Management / Farm Marketing / Pork / Remediation and Reclamation / Soil), Economist (Agricultural / Natural Resource), Scientist (Environmental / Livestock / Research / Soil)
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $29.35 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $40.23 |
| Top | $53.65 |
Interest in co-ordinating information to conduct research and evaluate agricultural data; and in maintaining records of services provided and the results achieved
Interest in liaising with researchers, educators and government and business managers on farming and agriculture
Interest in consulting to provide counselling and advisory services, and to conduct advisory information sessions and lectures for farmers and other groups
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Agrologists may be involved in agricultural or environmental science and technology fields ranging from agronomy, food and fibre production, processing, packaging, transportation, and marketing to the protection of soil, water, plant, and wildlife resources.
Agrologists employed in the public sector may:
Agrologists employed in the private sector may:
Agrologists usually specialize in specific fields such as:
Agrologists can work in offices, research centres, or processing and manufacturing facilities. They can also work in farm fields, ranch pastures, oil or gas sites, pipelines, or wooded areas. They may spend a lot of time travelling. They may follow regular office hours, but can often be doing field work evenings and weekends. Agrologists’ workloads may vary depending on the season and their specialization.
Agrologists need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, agrologists must have a 4-year bachelor’s degree in agriculture or environmental science that is recognized by the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA), or equivalent education, plus the course credits required by AIA Council.
Agrologists also need to keep their technical knowledge up to date.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Agrologists provide advice and services related to agricultural and environmental science and technology. They apply scientific principles and practices to the cultivation, production, utilization and improvement of plants and animals, and the management of associated resources.
Under Alberta's Agrology Profession Act and Agrology Profession Regulation, registration with the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) is mandatory if you meet identified educational and competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public or supervise registered members who provide services to the public. Only registered members may call themselves a Professional Agrologist or Agrologist in Training.
Membership as a Professional Agrologist requires a recognized 4-year bachelor's degree in agriculture or environmental science, plus the course credits required by AIA Council and completion of the Agrologist in Training program. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, visit the AIA website or contact the AIA.
Agrologists who are registered and in good standing with an Agrologist Institute elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory? and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
To learn about certification for internationally educated agrologists, see Agrologist Registration Process.
Alberta Institute of Agrologists
Suite 1430, 5555 Calgary Trail, NW
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6H 5P9
Phone number: 780-435-0606
Fax number: 780-435-2155
Email: info@aia.ab.ca
Website: www.albertaagrologists.ca
Agrologists may work for government departments, applied research associations or manufacturers and suppliers of agriculture production inputs. These could include fertilizers, pesticides, feedstuffs, seeds, and livestock. They may also work for:
Self-employed agrologists work on a contract basis.
New graduates may have to do seasonal work to gain experience. With experience, agrologists may advance to supervisory and management roles. A graduate degree is required for some managerial positions. With a doctoral degree, agrologists may direct and administer research programs or teach at the university level.
Agrologists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2123: Agricultural Representatives, Consultants and Specialists. In Alberta, 80% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $19.23 | $40.04 | $29.35 | $30.00 |
| Overall | $26.00 | $52.57 | $40.23 | $40.00 |
| Top | $31.16 | $65.00 | $53.65 | $53.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $86,173 |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $83,666 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $82,405 |
Agri-Food Innovation Council (AIC) website: www.aic.ca
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry website: www.alberta.ca/ministry-agriculture-forestry
Alberta Environment and Parks website: www.alberta.ca/ministry-environment-parks.aspx
Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) website: www.albertaagrologists.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 31, 2019. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.