NOC 21110: Biologists and related scientists
Biologists and related scientists conduct basic and applied research to extend knowledge of living organisms, to manage natural resources, and to develop new practices and products related to medicine and agriculture. They are employed in both laboratory and field settings by governments, environmental consulting companies, resource and utilities companies, chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnical companies, hospitals and health, research and educational institutions.
Official Main Duties for NOC 21110
Select the duties you perform in your actual job. Under IRCC guidelines, you must perform at least 60% of these duties for a successful work permit or PR reference letter.
Your employer reference letter must confirm you performed the main actions described in the duties above. Avoid copying words directly from the NOC description โ officers expect natural job descriptions with specific company context.
Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 21110
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Biologists and related scientists is categorized under TEER 1. Occupations in this tier typically require a university degree (bachelorโs, masterโs, or doctorate) or substantial managerial tenure.
Express Entry Alignment
Qualifies directly for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry. Work experience must be full-time (or equivalent part-time) and continuous for at least one year.
Target Category Status
Designated under IRCC's STEM Priority Stream โ. Candidates with 6 months of qualifying Canadian or foreign experience in this NOC can receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) at significantly lower CRS cutoff thresholds.
NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 Transition & Equivalency
Under Canada's previous NOC 2016 classification, this occupation was mapped under the following 4-digit code(s). When preparing your Express Entry profile or work reference letters, you must use the new 5-digit code NOC 21110.
4165 continues as 41404 and part transferred to 21110 and part split off to emerging item 41310
Regional Wages Across Canada
Under Canadian immigration law, an employer hiring you under an LMIA must pay you at least the median wage listed below for your province.
| Province / Territory | Low Wage | Median Wage | High Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (National Average) | $25.71 | $40/hr | $66.67 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador โ | $22/hr | $40/hr | $54.4/hr |
| Prince Edward Island โ | $31.25/hr | $35.9/hr | $44.71/hr |
| Nova Scotia โ | $24.62/hr | $37.5/hr | $51.06/hr |
| New Brunswick โ | $23.84/hr | $41/hr | $59/hr |
| Quebec โ | $24.5/hr | $38.46/hr | $54.12/hr |
| Ontario โ | $24.5/hr | $40/hr | $69.23/hr |
| Manitoba โ | $25.52/hr | $37/hr | $57.69/hr |
| Saskatchewan โ | $28.22/hr | $42.85/hr | $61.71/hr |
| Alberta โ | $26.44/hr | $41.44/hr | $88.19/hr |
| British Columbia โ | $28.85/hr | $42/hr | $60/hr |
| Yukon โ | $36.58/hr | $48.19/hr | $65.57/hr |
| Northwest Territories โ | $39.56/hr | $58.34/hr | $80.44/hr |
| Nunavut โ | $40.56/hr | $57.46/hr | $77.25/hr |
๐๏ธTop Metropolitan Cities Wage Rates (ESDC 2025/2026)
Economic Region BenchmarksOfficial ESDC prevailing median wages across major Canadian metropolitan regions. Crucial for LMIA prevailing wage compliance and local job offer evaluations.
Employment Requirements
These are the education, training, and certification standards usually required by Canadian employers for this occupation:
- A bachelor's degree in biology or in a related discipline is required for biologists.
- A master's or doctoral degree in biology or a related discipline is required for employment as a research scientist in biology.
- Post-doctoral research experience is usually required before employment in academic departments or research institutions.
- Biologists are regulated in Alberta and British Columbia.
Official Job Titles for NOC 21110
129 Titles ListedIf your current job title matches any of these official examples, this NOC code is likely the right choice for your Express Entry reference letter:
Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)
Check this list to make sure your actual job is not classified under one of these related codes:
- Architecture and science managers (See 20011 Architecture and science managers)View NOC 20011โ
- Biochemist (See 21101 Chemists)View NOC 21101โ
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (See 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine)View NOC 31100โ
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 21110 (Biologists and related scientists)
Essential answers regarding Express Entry eligibility, LMIA prevailing wage compliance, and official reference letter rules.
Check Your Express Entry Score & Latest Cutoffs
Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 21110, explore your TEER 1 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.