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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.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
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.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
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
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
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 for this NOC group 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.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Agrologists need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 13 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 19, 2022 and Nov 19, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Health benefits: Vision care benefits | 10 |
|---|---|
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 10 |
| Health benefits: Dental plan | 10 |
| Tasks: Prepare and conduct advisory information sessions and lectures for farmers and other groups | 10 |
| Tasks: Maintain records of services provided and the effects of advice given | 10 |
| Tasks: Provide counselling and advisory services to farmers on agricultural subjects | 10 |
| Plant nutrition | 9 |
| Agribusiness | 9 |
| Plant growth and development | 9 |
| Field crops | 9 |
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.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
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.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Agrologist.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
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.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 2123: Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists occupational group, 76.2% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 2123: Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 20 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
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.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
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.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $24.00 | $39.88 | $29.12 | $28.85 |
| Overall | $28.60 | $84.15 | $42.03 | $40.00 |
| Top | $31.64 | $166.67 | $62.02 | $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.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $83,832 |
|---|---|
| Wholesale Trade | $78,911 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $84,212 |
| Public Administration | $83,082 |
Agri-Food Innovation Council (AIC) website: www.aic.ca
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry website: www.alberta.ca/agriculture-forestry-and-rural-economic-development.aspx
Alberta Environment and Parks website: www.alberta.ca/ministry-environment-parks.aspx
Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) website: www.albertaagrologists.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
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.
