Geneticist / Genomics Scientist
Decode life's blueprint - genomics is transforming medicine, agriculture, and our understanding of life.
Geneticist / Genomics Scientist Salary in Canada
Geneticist / Genomics Scientists in Canada earn about $65,000 at entry level and around $140,000 in senior roles.
- Entry level: $65,000
- Senior level: $140,000
Biotech and pharmaceutical geneticists earn significantly more than academic researchers.
About the Career
Genomics is advancing quickly and clinical genetics roles are growing, but research positions are competitive - Job Bank rates prospects for biological scientists limited to moderate.
Job Outlook
Stable demand. Genomics is advancing quickly and clinical genetics roles are growing, but research positions are competitive - Job Bank rates prospects for biological scientists limited to moderate.
How to Get There
- BSc (Genetics, Molecular Biology, or Biochemistry) + MSc or PhD
- Time to career: 6-10 years post-Grade 12
Degrees That Lead Here
- Biochemistry – high 80s
- Biology – mid to high 80s at most schools
Key Skills
- Molecular Biology Techniques
- Bioinformatics & Genomics
- Data Analysis
- Lab Management
- Scientific Communication
Typical Employers
- Biotech & genomics companies
- Hospitals & clinical genetics labs
- Pharma
- Universities & research institutes
- Agriculture & food science
High School Roadmap
- Take Biology. Research CRISPR and genomic medicine.
- Enter science fair with a biology topic. Take Chemistry.
- Research bioinformatics - the computational side of genetics. Learn basic Python for data analysis.
- Apply to genetics, molecular biology, or biochemistry programs at UofT, McGill, or UBC.
Top Universities for This Path
- University of Toronto – Toronto, ON
- McGill University – Montreal, QC
- University of British Columbia – Vancouver, BC
- University of Waterloo – Waterloo, ON
- McMaster University – Hamilton, ON
Insider Tips
- Bioinformatics (computational genetics) is in extremely high demand - learn coding alongside biology.
- Canada's biotech sector is growing rapidly in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.
- CRISPR and gene therapy are the fastest-growing areas of genetics research globally.