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Analytical Technician / Chemist / Scientist, Biological Sciences Technician / Technologist, Biological Scientist, Crime Laboratory Analyst, Forensic Chemist / Biologist / Toxicologist, Investigator, Laboratory Technician / Technologist, Physical Sciences Technician / Technologist, Physical Scientist
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
Forensic laboratory analysts examine physical evidence to:
Their duties vary depending on their areas of expertise:
Forensic laboratory analysts work as either scientists or technologists. In general, scientists in all sections:
In general, technologists in all sections conduct tests and examinations and take part in in-house research. They also:
Forensic laboratory analysts receive and analyze materials from crime scenes. They present and discuss the results with police investigators, lawyers, and medical practitioners.
Forensic laboratory analysts often work in teams. Sometimes, they perform part of an analysis before passing a case to another analyst. They may need to work overtime when there are high volumes of work. Specialists may travel to testify in criminal proceedings and other hearings.
Analysts who work for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) may be transferred to other lab locations and must be prepared to travel.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Chemical technologists
2023 OaSIS: 22100.01
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Forensic laboratory analysts need:
They should enjoy using tools, instruments, and equipment to perform precision tasks. They should be comfortable with analyzing information, solving problems, and supervising the work of others.
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 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 23, 2022 and Oct 23, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 56 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: MS Office | 53 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 50 |
| Tasks: Assist in developing and conducting sampling and analysis | 48 |
| Tasks: Assist in set up and conduction of chemical experiments | 46 |
| Tasks: Compile records and interpret experimental or analytical results | 46 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 45 |
| Tasks: Assist in development of standards, health and safety measures | 42 |
| Tasks: Compile records for analytical studies | 34 |
| Tasks: Maintain laboratory equipment | 31 |
The minimum academic requirement for scientists in most of the discipline areas is a 4-year degree in physical, life, or forensic sciences. Specific degree and course requirements vary depending on the employer and type of work. For example, some positions require a degree in a chemical or physical science, or mechanical engineering. Other positions require more specific qualifications. These may include an honours bachelor of science degree, or in some cases a graduate degree (M.Sc. or Ph.D.). This may be in a field such as forensic science, biology, biochemistry, biomedical science, chemistry, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, or population genetics and statistics.
The minimum academic requirement for technologists is a post-secondary diploma or degree in physical, life, or forensic sciences. Some positions require a 3-year diploma or specific courses.
Outside of Alberta, a variety of schools across Canada offer programs related to forensic sciences. The Canadian Society of Forensic Science (CSFS) maintains a listing of programs.
After they are hired, specialists and technologists must complete in-house training programs before doing any casework. Training programs for specialists range in length from 9 months to 2 years or more. Training programs for technologists take up to 18 months to complete.
Professional development varies depending on employer and area of specialty. However, there is usually a program of on-the-job training and development involving short courses and practical case work. Areas covered may include laboratory skills and proficiency tests, blood pattern analysis, and statement writing. Course may also include training in health and safety, courtroom and presentation skills, and project management.
The changing nature of forensic science means that it’s vital to keep up to date with the latest research and developments. CSFS provides continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities such as conferences, seminars, lectures, and workshops. External providers may offer additional approved CPD on topics such as recognizing, excavating, and recording hidden graves, and human skeletal anatomy.
A masters or Ph.D. in forensic science or in a forensic specialty such as archaeology or anthropology may be helpful for certain specific cases.
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.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Forensic laboratory analysts work for:
In Alberta, the Medical Examiner’s Office is responsible for performing autopsies. It also performs toxicological work in cases where no foul play is suspected.
The RCMP is responsible for most other forensic laboratory work in criminal cases (except in Ontario and Quebec, which have their own provincial police forces and laboratories).
Environmental and some arson-related forensic work in Alberta is performed by various small private laboratories.
Advancement usually takes the form of scheduled pay increases and increased responsibility for one or more types of analysis. Further training is typically required in order to advance. Experienced forensic laboratory analysts may be promoted to supervisory positions.
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 technologists and technicians
2016 NOC: 2211
80.6% 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 Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation 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: 2024-2026 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.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 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 to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $46.17 | $32.90 | $33.65 |
| Overall | $18.30 | $57.96 | $40.86 | $40.87 |
| Top | $19.00 | $63.13 | $45.47 | $45.16 |
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 | $78,112 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | $78,620 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $75,546 |
| Public Administration | $81,388 |
American Academy of Forensic Sciences website: www.aafs.org
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners website: www.acfe.com
Canadian Society of Forensic Science website: www.csfs.ca
Royal Canadian Mounted Police website, Forensic Science and Identification Services section: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Technology Alberta website: technologyalberta.com
The Chartered Society of Forensic Science website: www.csofs.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 23, 2023. 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.
