Job prospects Wildlife Biologist in British Columbia

Green job Help - Green job – Help

Green job – Help

This job title belongs to an occupational group from the National Occupational Classification (NOC), which includes green jobs that contribute directly or indirectly to positive environmental outcomes (such as preservation, conservation and restoration). It does not mean that all positions with this job title are necessarily green jobs, but rather that they have the potential to be depending on their specific requirements. Learn more about Job Bank’s methodology for identifying green jobs.

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "wildlife biologist" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

The recent trends from the past 3 years were updated on July 25, 2025. The job outlooks over the next 3 years were updated on December 10, 2025.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be Limited for biologists and related scientists (NOC 21110) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few 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.

Employment opportunities in this occupation are supported by government programs and regulations in areas of ecosystem health, biodiversity conservation management of fisheries, and sustainable aquaculture. 

Demand for this occupation is influenced by growth in the life sciences industry. 

British Columbia is home to more than 300 life sciences companies, including biopharmaceutical and medical device companies, and recent investment are expected to increase job opportunities. 

For example, the Government of Canada has provided funding to adMare BioInnovations to establish a new innovation centre in Vancouver. 

This facility will support local biotech research and development by offering early-stage life sciences companies the resources they need to grow and advance their innovations. 

Here are some key facts about biologists and related scientists in British Columbia:

• Approximately 5,900 people work in this occupation.
• Biologists and related scientists mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 31%
  • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 13%
  • Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 7%
  • Chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325): 7%
  • Universities (NAICS 6113): 6%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 91% compared to 78% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 9% compared to 22% for all occupations
• 75% of biologists and related scientists work all year, while 25% 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 46 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• 10% of biologists and related scientists are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 44% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 56% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 38% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 57% compared to 12% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in British Columbia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology