Job prospects Life Sciences Research Technician in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "life sciences research technician" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Biological technologists and technicians (NOC 22110) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Employed in a variety of sectors, but the leading shares are in:
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Federal government departments
  • Manufacturing, mostly pharmaceutical and medicine production
  • Farms

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Public and private sector investments in life sciences and research, including the strengthening of the biomanufacturing sector
• Favourable job opportunities are also expected to support the province's large food processing cluster

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) guidelines
• Voluntary designations are available through the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT)

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• In general, Bridging Programs are available to assist internationally trained professionals in various fields enter the labour market more quickly in the province.

Here are some key facts about Biological technologists and technicians in Ontario:

• Approximately 1,800 people work in this occupation.
• Biological technologists and technicians mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 16%
  • Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 14%
  • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 12%
  • Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 12%
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 7%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 92% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 8% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 71% of biological technologists and technicians work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of biological technologists and technicians are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 46% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 54% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 12% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 37% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 31% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 18% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "life sciences research technician" Biological technologists and technicians (NOC 22110) or across Canada.

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