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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 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.
Biologists
2023 OaSIS: 21110.01
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:
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 44 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 29, 2021 and Oct 15, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 25 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 23 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 23 |
| Attention to detail | 23 |
| Tasks: Produce reports | 22 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 19 |
| Tasks: Monitor and compile research results | 17 |
| Construction Specialization: Time management | 16 |
| Tasks: Deliver presentations at conferences, workshops or symposia | 16 |
| Tasks: Perform administrative tasks | 15 |
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 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.
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.
Biologists and related scientists
2016 NOC: 2121
79.3% 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.
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 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.
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 | $25.96 | $49.17 | $35.55 | $33.33 |
| Overall | $32.84 | $97.79 | $48.86 | $43.93 |
| Top | $34.89 | $103.14 | $55.18 | $51.52 |
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 | $94,886 |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $103,991 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $99,792 |
| Public Administration | $101,511 |
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.
