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Construction Engineer, Design Engineer, Plant Engineer, Process Engineer
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
2023 OaSIS
Chemists, biochemists, and materials scientists work in research labs to develop physical and chemical products. These can include drugs, detergents, fertilizers, food products, petrochemicals, plastics, fuels, fertilizers, and fabrics. Chemical engineers work on teams to develop and oversee the operation of processes to make these products at a large scale. They adapt the small-scale processes used in the lab to make these products for commercial and industrial use.
Chemical engineers operate or manage chemical, biochemical, pharmaceutical, materials, oilfield production, and refinery processing plants. They ensure plants operate efficiently, safely, and with the environment in mind. They advise on:
In overseeing production processes, chemical engineers:
Chemical engineers may work in the following areas.
In research and development, they study ways to develop or improve products and processes. They usually work with a team of scientists and engineers. The scientists can be:
The other engineers can be:
In process design, chemical engineers use information on new technology, operational data, and design methods to design processes, specify equipment, and determine how processes should operate.
When designing plants, they consider cost, safety, and the environment. They often work with chemists, financial experts, technologists, and other types of engineers. Chemical engineers are often the ones who lead risk assessments of new projects.
In plant operations, chemical engineers ensure the equipment in their unit works efficiently and safely. They also make sure it produces the desired quantity and quality of product. This includes solving problems, improving processes, and modifying equipment. They work with technologists, operators, and other engineers. They often report to production managers or more senior engineers.
Chemical engineers work in offices, industrial plants, in the field, and in labs.
Chemical engineers who work in production often come in contact with hazardous machinery and chemicals. They may have to climb process equipment that stands up to 10 stories high.
Chemical engineers may be on call after hours. The work can be stressful when processes do not work as planned.
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 synthesizing information to conduct research into the development and improvement of chemical engineering processes, reactions and materials, and to 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 and emissions
Interest in precision working to test chemical processing, and associated plants and equipment, to evaluate chemical process technology and equipment, and to determine production specifications
Interest in supervising technicians, technologists and other engineers; and in overseeing the construction, modification, operation and maintenance of pilot plants, processing units and processing plants
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.
Chemical engineers 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 14 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Sep 05, 2022 and Dec 10, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Conduct research into the development or improvement of chemical engineering processes, reactions and materials | 14 |
|---|---|
| Attention to detail | 10 |
| Tasks: Design and test chemical processing and associated plants and equipment | 10 |
| Tasks: Conduct economic and technical feasibility studies | 10 |
| Tasks: Develop guidelines and specifications for the handling of dangerous chemicals, environmental protection, or standards for foods, materials and consumer goods | 9 |
| Tasks: Oversee the construction, modification, operation and maintenance of pilot plants, processing units or processing plants | 9 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 8 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 8 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 8 |
| Work under pressure | 8 |
The minimum education requirement for chemical engineers is a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. A graduate degree usually is required for consulting, research, or university teaching positions.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
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 program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
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.
Professional engineers design, construct, evaluate, advise, monitor, and report on the performance of materials, equipment, systems, works, processes, and structures.
Under Alberta’s Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act [pdf] and Engineering and Geoscience Professions General Regulation [pdf], you must register as a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) to practice as a Professional Engineer or engage in the practice of engineering.
You do not have to register if you work under the direct supervision of a professional engineer and do not call yourself a Professional Engineer or use the word “engineer” in your job title.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Engineer.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Chemical engineers work wherever a process converts raw materials into a product. They work at:
Some chemical engineers work for companies that:
A typical first job after graduation is in process development. Junior engineers often work on a range of assignments. Supervised by senior engineers, they gain experience and learn company procedures.
With experience, they may progress to managing production of a single unit or product. From there, they may move on to managing operations of a large industrial complex.
Some chemical engineers may remain more technical. They may become technical experts or authorities for a specific site, company, type of equipment, or production process.
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.
Chemical engineers
2016 NOC: 2134
79.4% of people in this occupational group work in:
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 examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
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 examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
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 examples, see Note.
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.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $28.00 | $67.07 | $50.09 | $57.09 |
| Overall | $45.52 | $84.13 | $68.92 | $71.69 |
| Top | $55.00 | $108.17 | $87.66 | $92.31 |
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 | $120,772 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | $104,654 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $125,383 |
| Public Administration | $103,502 |
American Institute for Chemical Engineering (AIChE) website: www.aiche.org
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) website: www.apega.ca
Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE) website: www.cheminst.ca/about/about-csche/
Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) website: www.cheminst.ca
Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) website: www.spe.org
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) website: www.ampp.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. 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.
