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Clinical Consultant, Geriatric Services Practitioner
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
Gerontology is the study of aging processes and individuals as they grow into later life. It includes the study of physical and mental changes in older adults. It also includes the study of social changes that come with an aging population. Increasingly, the scope of this work includes end-of-life planning and care.
Gerontological specialists’ duties and responsibilities vary a great deal. They may:
The title “gerontologist” typically refers to those with master’s or doctoral degrees in gerontology. An advanced degree in a related field such as social work but specializing in gerontology in their program of study is also possible. They conduct research or teach at the post-secondary level. They develop and analyze policies on issues related to older adults. They consult on issues related to gerontology rather than working directly with older people, as gerontological specialists do.
Gerontological specialists may work in offices, institutional settings, or private homes. Those who work in clinical settings or provide services, such as health or counselling, may need to work shifts, evenings, and weekends. They may need to take clients on outings in the community.
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.
Historians
2023 OaSIS: 41409.04
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:
Gerontological specialists need:
They should enjoy working with older adults, organizing and interpreting information, and solving problems creatively.
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 11 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 16, 2021 and Mar 24, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 7 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 7 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 7 |
| Tasks: Perform administrative tasks | 7 |
| Construction Specialization: Interpersonal awareness | 6 |
| Construction Specialization: Analytical | 6 |
| Construction Specialization: Judgement | 6 |
| Type of Related Experience: Quantitative research | 6 |
| Type of Related Experience: Qualitative research | 6 |
| Work under pressure | 5 |
Most gerontological specialists have a post-secondary degree in gerontology or social sciences. They may also have taken post-graduate coursework or completed a post-degree certificate in gerontology. They study age-related issues in fields including biology, education, environmental studies, ethics, health, human ecology, law, psychology, public administration, recreation, religion, and sociology.
Gerontological specialists come from various professional backgrounds. These include nursing, social work, dentistry, recreation, and law enforcement. Increasingly, employers are seeking candidates with formal education in the care of older adults or work experience in this field.
Universities throughout Alberta and other provinces offer degree programs in the social and health sciences. Some programs are offered online. For more information, see Related Occupational Profiles.
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.
While certification is not required by law, employers may require it.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Gerontological specialists work in community programs such as meals-on-wheels. They may work in public and private agencies including:
Many gerontological specialists work for the same types of employers as others in human services. However, they specialize in working with older adults. Employment prospects align favourably with the growing number of older adults in society.
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.
Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.
2016 NOC: 4169
80.2% 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.
Gerontological specialists’ earnings vary with their responsibilities and qualifications, including education and experience. Salary ranges for those with professional qualifications are comparable to others in their profession. For information about salary levels in related occupations, see occupational profiles such as Licensed Practical Nurse, Psychologist, Recreation Therapist, Registered Nurse, Community Disability Services Practitioner, Social Worker, and Kinesiologist.
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 [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 | $23.00 | $39.64 | $36.28 | $37.80 |
| Overall | $33.00 | $56.53 | $46.44 | $47.78 |
| Top | $36.50 | $56.53 | $48.67 | $50.26 |
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 | $86,223 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $85,840 |
| Public Administration | $92,961 |
Alberta Association on Gerontology (AAG) website: albertaaging.ca
Alberta Gerontological Nurses Association website: agna.ca
Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG) website: cagacg.ca
Gerontological Society of America (GSA) website: www.geron.org
University of Alberta, Innovations in Seniors Care Research Unit website: www.ualberta.ca/en/nursing/research/research-chairs-and-units/iseniorsru
University of Alberta, International Network for Aging Research
website: www.ualberta.ca/rehabilitation/research/international-network-for-aging-research
University of Alberta, Special Interest Group on Aging website: www.ualberta.ca/rehabilitation/research/special-interest-group-on-aging
University of Calgary, Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging website: obrieniph.ucalgary.ca/groups/brenda-strafford-centre-aging/brenda-strafford-centre-aging
University of Victoria, Institute on Aging & Lifelong Health website: www.uvic.ca/research/centres/aging
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2025. 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.
