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Chemical Engineering Technologist
Chemical engineering technologists are involved in process design, plant engineering, environmental control, engineering sales and plant operations.
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Avg. Salary $47,511.00
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Avg. Wage $23.77
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Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary
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Outlook N/A
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Employed 3,700
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In Demand Lower
Also Known As
Engineering Technologist, Operations Engineering Technologist, Process Engineering Technologist, Laboratory Technician/Technologist
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
47%
47%
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
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Certification Regulated
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Strength Required Strength requirements vary
NOC & Interest Codes
The Chemical Engineering Technologist is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Chemical Technologists
NOC code: 2211.1
- OBJECTIVE
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Interest in precision working to operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus, to operate chemical and petrochemical pilot plants, and to conduct air and water quality testing and assessments
- INNOVATIVE
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Interest in analyzing data to develop and conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates and products
- METHODICAL
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Interest in supervising to oversee environmental monitoring and protection activities and compliance with standards; in assisting in the development of chemical engineering processes, standards, procedures and health and safety measures; in assisting in studies of chemical engineering procurement, construction, inspection and maintenance; and in preparing solutions of gas and liquid, reagents and sample formulations
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
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.
Duties
Updated Feb 08, 2016
Chemical engineering technologists may work in engineering offices, sales offices or production facilities.
In engineering offices, they may work on process engineering, operation engineering, production engineering or project co-ordination. In general, they work independently or as part of a team to:
- run computer based process simulations
- provide technical engineering support
- troubleshoot problems and optimize operations
- prepare engineering drawings
- evaluate and prepare regulatory applications
- redesign process equipment.
In technical sales offices, chemical engineering technologists:
- act as liaisons between plant engineering personnel and equipment suppliers
- prepare quotes and technical documents
- co-ordinate projects.
In production facilities, they:
- operate process control equipment
- gather plant operating data for design purposes
- do feasibility studies
- co-ordinate production
- supervise construction activity.
Chemical engineering technologists also may:
- assist with environmental impact assessments and environmental audits, decommission facilities and do site reclamation work
- prepare cost estimates and construction schedules for production facilities
- assist in the design of new processes and production plants
- evaluate the economic and technical feasibility of modifying, replacing or installing new plant equipment
- trouble-shoot and solve problems to maximize production
- prepare process and instrument drawings
- design and implement corrosion management programs for pressure vessels and pipelines
- operate complex plants and processes, and make process improvements.
Chemical engineering technologists use scientific principles to solve technical problems in a safe and cost effective manner. They may work in design or operate small scale models of equipment (prototypes) created to design or evaluate manufacturing processes or equipment.
Working Conditions
Updated Feb 08, 2016
Chemical engineering technologists may work in office environments or industrial plant facilities. In production environments, they may work shifts.
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Strength Required Strength requirements vary
Skills & Abilities
Updated Feb 08, 2016
Chemical engineering technologists need the following characteristics:
- the ability to pay attention to details
- persistence and a desire to be accurate
- strong problem solving skills
- the communication and interpersonal skills required to work in a team environment and possibly supervise others.
They should enjoy working with people, analyzing data and performing calculations to solve problems, and taking a methodical approach to their work.
Educational Requirements
Updated Feb 08, 2016
The minimum educational requirement for working as a chemical engineering technologist is a related two year diploma of technology.
Required Education
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Related Education
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
University of Calgary
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification Requirements
Updated Feb 08, 2016
Certified Engineering Technologist
Under the supervision of a professional engineer or professional technologist in engineering, certified engineering technologists undertake the routine application of industry recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices. They use established engineering, geoscience or applied science principles and methods of problem solving. Duties may include design, production, marketing, testing, quality control, estimating, surveying, inspecting, diagnostic evaluation, supervision, management and technical sales.
Legislation
Under Alberta's Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act (PDF) and ASET Regulation (PDF), you must be a registered member of the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) to use the title Certified Engineering Technologist (CET). You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself a Certified Engineering Technologist.
Education
Registration requires:
- successful completion of an applied science, engineering or information technology program accredited at the technologist level by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB), or equivalent
- at least 2 years of acceptable technical experience
- 3 professional references
- completion of a competency report
- successful completion of ASET's Professional Practice Exam
- demonstration of proficiency in English.
For detailed official information, contact the regulatory organization below.
Working in Alberta
Engineering technologists who are certified by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for certification in Alberta if certified engineering technologists in the 2 jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory? and the Alberta regulatory organization below.
To learn about the certification process for internationally educated engineering technologists, see Mechanical Engineering Technologist Certification Process (PDF) and Electrical Engineering Technologist Certification Process (PDF) on AlbertaCanada.com.
Contact Details
The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)
1600 - 9888 Jasper Ave.
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5C6
Phone: 780-425-0626
Toll-free in Alberta: 1-800-272-5619
Fax: 780-424-5053
Email: asetadmin@aset.ab.ca
Website: www.aset.ab.ca
Professional Technologist (Engineering or Geoscience)
Professional Technologists (Engineering) and Professional Technologists (Geoscience) are currently unique to Alberta. They practise independently in accordance with established methodologies and specifications in the fields of engineering, geology and geophysics, and they have the authority to sign off and stamp work within a prescribed scope of practice.
Legislation
Under Alberta's Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act (PDF) and Professional Technologists Regulation (PDF), you must be registered as a Professional Technologist (Engineering or Geoscience) by the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) to practise engineering, geology or geophysics within a prescribed scope of practice, or to use the titles Professional Technologist (Engineering) or Professional Technologist (Geoscience) or the abbreviations P.Tech. (Eng.) or P.Tech. (Geo.).
Education
Registration requires:
- designation as a Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) in good standing
- at least 6 years of work experience in areas that relate to engineering or geoscience, with at least 2 years under the supervision and control of a Professional Engineer or Professional Geologist in the applicant's proposed area and scope of practice
- at least 2 years of post-secondary education or 10 years of experience that matches the proposed scope of practice
- 3 professional references
- proof of compliance with ASET's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program
- proficiency in English
- successful completion of the National Professional Practice Exam.
For detailed official information, contact the regulatory organization below.
Working in Alberta
Professional technologists are currently only recognized in Alberta. They may be eligible for a limited licence with engineering regulatory organizations in other jurisdictions. Information on obtaining a limited licence is available through the regulatory organizations.
A professional technologist may also transfer to another province and receive recognition as a Certified Engineering Technologist by completing a transfer form and paying the associated transfer fee. Transfer forms are provided by the provincial regulatory organizations for technologists. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory? and the Alberta regulatory organization below.
Contact Details
The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET)
1600 - 9888 Jasper Ave.
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5C6
Phone: 780-425-0626
Toll-free in Alberta: 1-800-272-5619
Fax: 780-424-5053
Email: asetadmin@aset.ab.ca
Website: www.aset.ab.ca
Employment & Advancement
Updated Feb 08, 2016
Chemical engineering technologists usually are members of operating teams that include engineers, other technologists and technicians involved in the operation of industrial plants, mills and refineries. They also may work in environmental consulting, chemical or equipment sales, or as chemical process operators.
Typical employers include:
- tar sand and heavy oil extraction plants
- pipeline companies
- chemical, fertilizer and petrochemical production facilities
- oil and gas plants
- food processing companies
- pulp and paper companies
- technical sales organizations
- environmental engineering firms
- service and consulting firms.
Experienced chemical engineering technologists may advance to senior technical supervisor or staff supervisor positions. Some chemical engineering technologists take additional training and teach in technical institutes. Others work as technical writers or as salespersons for chemical products.
Chemical engineering technologists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2211: Chemical Technologists and Technicians. In Alberta, 83% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
- Manufacturing (PDF)
- Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction (PDF)
- Public Administration (PDF)
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
- location in Alberta
- employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
- occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
- size of the occupation.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Wage & Salary
Updated Feb 08, 2016
For more information see ASET's annual salary survey.
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.75 | $35.72 | $19.64 | $17.00 |
| Overall | $18.27 | $45.09 | $23.77 | $19.49 |
| Top | $22.82 | $53.15 | $32.83 | $26.44 |
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.
B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition
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.
Industry Information
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
47%
47%
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
11%
11%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
3%
3%
2015 Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related High School Subjects
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English Language Arts
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Mathematics
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Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
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Business, Administration, Finance and IT
- Information Processing
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Natural Resources
- Agriculture
- Environmental Stewardship
- Primary Resources
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
- Engineering and Science Technologies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Feb 08, 2016
Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta - ASET website: www.aset.ab.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Mar 14, 2014. 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.
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