Job outlooks for Physicists and astronomers
Discover the employment prospects for your dream job across Canada, or compare different occupations.
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These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.
Occupation
astronomer (21100)
Location
All regions across Canada
Legend
Newfoundland and Labrador
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Regional outlooks
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Prince Edward Island
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Nova Scotia
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Regional outlooks
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
New Brunswick
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Regional outlooks
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Quebec
The employment outlook will be moderate for Physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in Quebec for the 2024-2026 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
- Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about Physicists and astronomers in Quebec:
- Approximately 650 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Physicists and astronomers mainly work in the following sectors:
- Hospitals (NAICS 622): 33%
- Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 12%
- Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 11%
- Computer and electronic product manufacturing (NAICS 334): 10%
- Universities (NAICS 6113): 9%
- 85% of physicists and astronomers work all year, while 15% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 49 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
- Less than 5% of physicists and astronomers are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: 78% compared to 52% for all occupations
- Women: 22% compared to 48% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: n/a
- high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 7% compared to 22% for all occupations
- bachelor's degree: 15% compared to 17% for all occupations
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 72% compared to 11% for all occupations
Regional outlooks
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
The employment outlook will be moderate for Physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in the Capitale-Nationale region for the 2024-2026 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
- Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about Physicists and astronomers in the Capitale-Nationale region:
- Approximately 170 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Physicists and astronomers mainly work in the following sectors:
- Ambulatory health care services and hospitals (NAICS 621-622): 38%
- Professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 54): 26%
- Educational services (NAICS 61): 18%
- Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 10%
- Computer and electronic product manufacturing (NAICS 334): 6%
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
The employment outlook will be limited for Physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in the census metropolitan area of Montréal, including the Laval region, for the 2024-2026 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
- A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about Physicists and astronomers in the census metropolitan area of Montréal, including the Laval region:
- Approximately 350 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
The employment outlook will be limited for Physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in the census metropolitan area of Montréal for the 2024-2026 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
- A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about Physicists and astronomers in the census metropolitan area of Montréal:
- Approximately 350 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Ontario
The employment outlook will be moderate for Physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in Ontario for the 2024-2026 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
- Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
What Types of Employers Are Out There?
- A variety of industries, but the main employers are professional, scientific and technical services companies such as scientific research and development firms
- Federal government departments and agencies
- Hospitals, and manufacturers
What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?
- Physicists may benefit from:
- Federal budget commitments to science and research
- Large investments in nuclear power, and the need for professionals in health physics, particularly in oncology and nuclear medicine departments in hospitals
- Continuing work on Canada's space program may create work for astronomers
- Increased global demand for medical devices and greater use of navigational and guidance instruments for the aerospace industry may lead to some work in this field
What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?
- Some employers may prefer health and medical physicists to have membership or fellowship in the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine or the equivalent.
Here are some key facts about Physicists and astronomers in Ontario:
- Approximately 1,100 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Physicists and astronomers mainly work in the following sectors:
- Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 22%
- Hospitals (NAICS 622): 19%
- Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 15%
- Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 9%
- Utilities (NAICS 22): 9%
- 90% of physicists and astronomers work all year, while 10% 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 49 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
- Less than 5% of physicists and astronomers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: 78% compared to 52% for all occupations
- Women: 22% compared to 48% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: n/a
- high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations
- bachelor's degree: 16% compared to 24% for all occupations
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 80% compared to 13% for all occupations
Regional outlooks
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
The employment outlook will be moderate for Physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in the Ottawa region for the 2024-2026 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
- Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about Physicists and astronomers in the Ottawa region:
- Approximately 260 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Physicists and astronomers mainly work in the following sectors:
- Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 68%
- Professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 54): 12%
- Computer and electronic product manufacturing (NAICS 334): 11%
- Ambulatory health care services and hospitals (NAICS 621-622): 6%
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
The employment outlook will be moderate for Physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in the Toronto region for the 2024-2026 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
- A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about Physicists and astronomers in the Toronto region:
- Approximately 460 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Physicists and astronomers mainly work in the following sectors:
- Professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 54): 36%
- Ambulatory health care services and hospitals (NAICS 621-622): 26%
- Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 14%
- Utilities (NAICS 22): 12%
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Manitoba
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Regional outlooks
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Saskatchewan
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Regional outlooks
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Alberta
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Regional outlooks
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
British Columbia
The employment outlook will be moderate for Physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in British Columbia for the 2024-2026 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
- A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Employment opportunities will be supported by moderate growth in the professional, scientific, and technical services sector.
Here are some key facts about Physicists and astronomers in British Columbia:
- Approximately 500 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Physicists and astronomers mainly work in the following sectors:
- Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 34%
- Hospitals (NAICS 622): 20%
- Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 14%
- Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 11%
- Universities (NAICS 6113): 5%
- The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
- Full-time workers: 92% compared to 78% for all occupations
- Part-time workers: 8% compared to 22% for all occupations
- 82% of physicists and astronomers work all year, while 18% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
- 7% of physicists and astronomers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: 77% compared to 52% for all occupations
- Women: 23% compared to 48% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: n/a
- high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
- bachelor's degree: 9% compared to 22% for all occupations
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 87% compared to 12% for all occupations
Regional outlooks
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
The employment outlook will be moderate for Physicists and astronomers (NOC 21100) in the Lower Mainland - Southwest region for the 2024-2026 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
- Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about Physicists and astronomers in the Lower Mainland - Southwest region:
- Approximately 330 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
- Physicists and astronomers mainly work in the following sectors:
- Professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 54): 71%
- Ambulatory health care services and hospitals (NAICS 621-622): 11%
- Computer, electronic and electrical product manufacturing (NAICS 334-335): 7%
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Yukon Territory
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Northwest Territories
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Nunavut
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
- Date modified: