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Physicists and Astronomers  (NOC 2111)
Camrose--Drumheller Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

Physicists conduct theoretical and applied research to extend knowledge of natural phenomena and to develop new processes and devices in fields such as electronics, communications, power generation and distribution, aerodynamics, optics and lasers, remote sensing, and medicine and health. They are employed by electronic, electrical and aerospace manufacturing companies, telecommunications companies, power utilities, university and government research laboratories, hospitals and by a wide range of other processing, manufacturing, and research and consulting firms. Astronomers conduct observational and theoretical research to extend knowledge of the universe. They are employed by government and universities.

acoustics physicist, aerodynamicist, astronomer, astrophysicist, biophysicist, cosmologist, experimental physicist, health physicist, medical physicist, metrologist, nuclear physicist, optics physicist, plasma physicist, radio astronomer, research scientist, aerospace, research scientist, electronics, research scientist, physics, research scientist, remote sensing, solid-state physicist.

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Physicists perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Design and conduct research in experimental and theoretical physics
  • Carry out analysis of research data and prepare research reports
  • Participate as a member of a research or development team in the design and development of experimental, industrial or medical equipment, instrumentation and procedures.

Physicists may specialize in fields such as aeronomy and space, acoustics, atomic and molecular physics, biophysics, condensed matter or solid state physics, electromagnetics, fluids and aerodynamics, health physics, medical physics, metrology, particle physics, optics and laser physics, nuclear physics and plasma physics.

Astronomers perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Design and conduct observational surveys, conduct detailed analyses and develop numerical models to extend knowledge of celestial bodies and cosmic radiation
  • Develop or participate in the development of instrumentation and software for astronomical observation and analysis.

Astronomers may specialize in fields such as astrophysics, observational or optical astronomy and radio astronomy.

Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Camrose, Lloydminster, Drumheller, Hanna, Killam, Lamont, Provost, Stettler, Strathmore, Three Hills, Tofield, Two Hills, Vegreville, Vermilion, Viking, Vulcan, Wainwright

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Physicists and Astronomers in Camrose--Drumheller Region

The future forecast and current conditions for an occupation can vary based on location or due to changes in the economy, technology, or demand for a product or service.

National Outlook – 10-Year Projection (2011-2020)

This section provides labour demand and labour supply projections for this occupation over the 2011-2020 period.

Note: The tables, graphs and middle paragraph shown under this section display updated 2011-2020 projection results. The remaining narrative text (2009-2018 projections) will be updated shortly. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The data in the following table are derived from HRSDC’s Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS). COPS uses a variety of models to produce a detailed 10-year labour market projection per broad skill level and per occupation at the national level, which focuses on the trends of labour supply and labour demand over the next ten years.

This occupation (Physicists and Astronomers) is part of a larger occupational group called Physical Science Professionals (NOC 211).

Table on the demographic profile for your chosen occupation at the national level.
Occupations in this group Physicists and Astronomers (2111) 
Chemists (2112) 
Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists (2113) 
Meteorologists (2114) 
Other Professional Occupations in Physical Sciences (2115) 
Employment (non-student) in 2010 34,995
Median Age of workers in 2010 42
Average Retirement Age in 2010 61

Occupation Projection for Canada

Over the 2008-2010 period, this occupation saw very strong employment growth and a large increase in its average hourly wage. In 2010, the average hourly wage was one of the highest among all occupations. The unemployment rate fell to 4.9% in 2010. According to key labour market indicators, the number of job seekers was insufficient to fill the job openings in this occupation.

Over the 2011-2020 period, an occupation will be in excess demand (a shortage of workers) if the projected number of job openings is significantly greater than the projected number of job seekers. An occupation will be in excess supply (a surplus of workers) if the projected number of job openings is smaller than the projected number of job seekers. For Physical Science Professionals, over the 2011-2020 period, job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 13,708 and 20,824 job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill the job openings.

Based on projections and considering that there was a shortage of labour in this occupation, it is expected that labour demand and supply will return to a balanced state over the 2011-2020 period. The majority of job openings will result from retirements. The retirement rate will be similar to the rate for all occupations. Similarly, new job openings will be created at the same rate as for all occupations. However, employment growth is anticipated to be much weaker than was seen during the 2001-2010 period because, since the majority of workers in this occupation hold positions in public administration or in the rubber, plastic and chemical products manufacturing industry, the occupation will be affected by the lacklustre growth in these two fields. The rubber, plastic and chemical products industry was deeply affected by the financial crisis and the rise in energy costs. The budget constraints that various levels of government are currently facing will also limit the creation of new positions for physical science professionals. Geologists, geochemists and geophysicists will, however, benefit from growth in the mining sector as a result of the increase in global demand for raw materials. With regard to labour supply, the majority of job seekers will come from the school system. Immigration will also represent a significant share of the job seekers. This is one of the occupations with the highest proportion of immigrants.

This Chart contains data for Projection of Job Openings vs. Job Seekers for Canada. Information is available in the following tables.

This Chart contains data for Projection of Job Openings vs. Job Seekers for Canada. Information is available in the following tables.
Table of job opening projections for the occupational group containing your chosen occupation.
Category Openings %
Expansion Demand 4,955 36%
Retirements 6,864 50%
Other Replacement Demand 1,112 8%
Emigration 776 6%
Projected Job Openings 13,708 100%
Table of job seeker projections for the occupational group containing your chosen occupation.
Category Seekers %
School Leavers 12,767 61%
Immigration 6,156 30%
Other 1,901 9%
Projected Job Seekers 20,824 100%
[ Source: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) ]

In which industry or sector do people in this occupation find jobs in Canada?

This table shows the industry and sectors employing the highest number of people in this occupation.

This table shows the industry sectors employing the highest number of people in this occupation.
Industry / Sector %
Professional, scientific and technical services 38.50
Public administration 20.40
Health care and social assistance 14.90
Manufacturing 14.50
[ Source: 2006 Census - Statistics Canada | Legal note ]

What percentage of people in this occupation are self-employed?

The graph displays the percentage of people in this occupation who are “self-employed”, according to the 2006 Census, in comparison to the Canadian average across all occupations.

As shown in the graph, according to the 2006 Census, 9% of people in this occupation were self-employed, while the average for all occupations was 12%.

The Labour Force Survey also gives us some information about self-employment. This occupation (Physicists and Astronomers) is part of a larger group called Physical Science Professionals (NOC 211). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), 13% of workers in this group were self-employed, while the average for all occupations was 16%.

[ Source: Labour Force Survey - Statistics Canada | Legal note ]

What percentage of people in this occupation are members of a union?

This occupation (Physicists and Astronomers) is part of a larger group called Physical Science Professionals (NOC 211). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), the unionization rate for this group was 24%, while the unionization rate for all occupations was 31%.

[ Source: Labour Force Survey - Statistics Canada | Legal note ]
Please consult the Camrose--Drumheller Region and Alberta tabs for more useful information related to outlook.