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Biochemical Toxicologist, Biological Scientist, Clinical Toxicologist, Forensic Toxicologist, Pharmaceutical Toxicologist, Regulatory Toxicologist, Research Scientist, Risk Assessment Toxicologist, Veterinary Toxicologist
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
Toxicologists research the hazards of chemical, biological, and physical agents at different levels of exposure. Their goal is to improve industrial and environmental safety. They also promote public health and protect the environment.
In general, toxicologists:
Analytical toxicologists specialize in using detection methods for identifying and characterizing harmful compounds. This includes analyzing:
Clinical (biomedical) toxicologists work in medical environments or pharmaceutical companies. They study the effects of drugs or other chemicals on the human body. They may be part of a medical team responding to emergencies such as drug overdoses. Or they may monitor drug therapies for patients with certain diseases, such as epilepsy or asthma.
Environmental toxicologists study the effects of chemical, physical, and biological agents. They determine levels of toxicants in the environment. They study humans and other organisms that have been exposed to those agents through food, air, water, or soil. This helps them establish background or naturally occurring levels. They then identify acceptable guidelines.
Forensic toxicologists examine post-mortem body fluids and tissues for drugs and poisons. In general, they are called upon when deaths are suspicious, unexpected, or have no clear anatomical cause. They are concerned with the medical and legal aspects of impairment or death. These may relate to drugs, including alcohol. They often testify in court. They may help train police to use breath-testing equipment. Forensic toxicology also includes workplace drug testing. Some forensic toxicologists also perform sport-related testing for performance-enhancing drugs.
Industrial toxicologists test new products such as pesticides and drugs. This helps manufacturers determine a product’s toxicity. This is important during production to protect industrial workers. It also helps establish safe uses for consumers and the public.
Nutritional toxicologists test food additives and new food products. They study how additives interact with nutrients in foods to determine their safe use for consumers.
Regulatory toxicologists develop controls for safe uses of new chemical products. These can include industrial and agricultural chemicals and pharmaceuticals (prescription drugs).
Risk assessment toxicologists study the possible results of exposure to toxic substances. They develop guidelines for safe exposure.
Veterinary toxicologists study health problems or non-infectious diseases of unknown cause in animals. These are most often domestic animals (livestock or pets) or zoo species.
Toxicologists work in offices, labs, industrial facilities, and outdoors. Testing new products often involves experiments on animals. It sometimes means studies on in vitro preparations (samples in petrie dishes, which can include isolated cells).
Toxicologists often use state-of-the-art equipment such as:
They may handle toxic materials and substances of unknown toxic potential. They must pay careful attention to safety procedures. Depending on the task and hazard, safety precautions could require use of personal protective equipment (PPE) or work in a sealed room.
Toxicologists may work on their own or in teams. They may work overtime to meet strict schedules. They may travel to:
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 study the effects and control of human, plant and animal pathogens and toxins
Interest in precision working with instruments to conduct clinical and laboratory studies to test, evaluate and screen drugs and pharmaceuticals, and to conduct molecular and biochemical studies and experiments into genetic expression, gene manipulation and recombinant DNA technology
Interest in consulting to advise on issues related to the development of new practices and products at the cellular and molecular level; may supervise biological technologists and technicians and other scientists
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.
Toxicologists 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 34 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 29, 2021 and Jul 13, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 21 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 20 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 20 |
| Attention to detail | 19 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 17 |
| Tasks: Produce reports | 16 |
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 14 |
| Construction Specialization: Time management | 13 |
| Health benefits: Dental plan | 13 |
| Health benefits: Paramedical services coverage | 13 |
The minimum requirement for toxicologists is an appropriate bachelor’s degree. Most toxicologists have advanced (master’s or doctoral) degrees in toxicology or a related area such as chemistry. In general, a doctoral (PhD) degree is required to direct and administer research programs. It’s also needed to direct large toxicology laboratories or to teach at colleges or universities.
Different specializations require different academic backgrounds. Medical or veterinary toxicologists may need to become physicians or veterinarians first. After that, they can take advanced training in toxicology. To learn more about related education programs, see the Family Physician and Veterinarian occupational profiles.
Toxicology is an interdisciplinary science. This means it draws from diverse fields. These include biology, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, mathematics, physiology, pathology, immunology, and genetics.
In Canada, degree programs in toxicology are often interdisciplinary programs. They may be offered jointly by more than one faculty or department at the same post-secondary school. Admission requirements for bachelor’s degree programs therefore vary. In general, they include a high school diploma with 30-level courses in English, chemistry, biology, and math.
Some post-secondary schools base admission to their toxicology programs on students’ GPA in a previous year of university studies. Prior to enrolling in any program, prospective students are strongly advised to discuss their academic qualifications and career plans with faculty members at the post-secondary school(s) of their choice.
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.
Toxicology is not regulated by governments in Canada. However, many toxicologists pursue professional certification like that of the American Board of Toxicology.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Toxicologists work for:
A few work in the chemical and petrochemical industries. Some positions are temporary, funded by grants. Employment growth is best for environmental toxicologists and environmental risk assessment toxicologists.
In general, advancement comes in the form of salary increases and growing research and advisory duties. There are relatively few positions as administrators and supervisors.
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 2121: Biologists and related scientists occupational group, 79.3% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 2121: Biologists and related scientists occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.6% from 2021 to 2025. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 44 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: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Toxicologists’ salaries vary depending on their qualifications and the nature of their work.
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.
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 | $22.00 | $55.00 | $34.71 | $33.00 |
| Overall | $24.00 | $70.91 | $46.17 | $46.86 |
| Top | $26.00 | $101.09 | $60.62 | $58.00 |
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 | $91,023 |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $87,887 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $100,349 |
| Public Administration | $97,896 |
Alberta Society of Human Toxicology (ASHT) website: www.asht.ca
Society of Toxicology of Canada (STC) website: stcweb.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. 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.
