Data Scientist
Median wage · national
$120,230
Range: $86K – $159K
Employed
262K
Openings/yr
25K
Typically: bachelor's degree
STEM
Chemical Technician
Chemical Technician earn $60,390 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $48,530 and $75,900. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Chemical Technician
This page sets out what the federal data says about working as a chemical technician: what the job pays, how fast it is growing, and what it takes to get in. Most people arrive through a degree in Chemistry and what it leads to, though it is not the only route.
Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.
- Median Wage
- $60,390
- Employed Nationally
- 58K
- Openings / Year
- 7,600
- Entry Education
- Associate's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Analysis Tester
Analytical Laboratory Technician (Analytical Lab Technician)
Analytical Technician
Assayer
Bleach Analyst
How Much Do Chemical Technicians Make?
Most chemical technicians take home around $60,390 a year, about what a typical college graduate makes. Half earn somewhere between $48,530 and $75,900, so where you land depends a lot on employer, specialty and city. A solid living in most parts of the country. Source: BLS.
A wage on its own says nothing about whether the degree behind it pays for itself, which is a question of lifetime earnings set against the total cost of getting there.
$60,390
National Median (Annual)
Near the national median for college graduates.
$49K–$76K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$48,530
Entry-level
$60,390
Median
$75,900
Experienced
What Do Chemical Technicians Do?
This is what the job actually looks like on a Tuesday: 5 core activities and 5 skills the work depends on. Read it before the salary, because pay matters less than whether you would want to spend your days doing this. Source: O*NET.
What You'll Do
- Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
- Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
- Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
- Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
- Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Science
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Active Listening
Who Thrives Here
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Chemical Technicians Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
High
High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.
What Is the Job Outlook for Chemical Technicians?
Through 2035 the BLS expects this field to change by +4.9%, meaning it is growing at about the same pace as everything else, so expect steady demand. Around 7,600 roles open up each year, which is the number that matters most if you are starting out. Source: BLS.
Growth rates are only meaningful next to other occupations, and the full list of careers with their projected growth puts this one in context.
↗ +4.9%
10-Year Growth (2025–2035)
About as fast as average.
7,600
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
58K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2025.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Chemical Technician professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $60,390 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 6,800 | $59,510 | -1.5% |
| 2 | Texas | 6,090 | $62,580 | +3.6% |
| 3 | Ohio | 3,120 | $59,750 | -1.1% |
| 4 | New Jersey | 2,730 | $58,580 | -3.0% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 2,710 | $59,420 | -1.6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
To get hired here you will usually need a associate's degree. The 2 programs below are the most common routes in, ordered by how many people actually graduate from each one.
The next most common path is a Physical Science Technologies/Technicians program and the colleges offering it, which suits a different kind of applicant.
Typical Entry Education
Associate's degree
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemistry | 19,976 | $65,120 | 1,380 |
| 2 | Physical Science Technologies/Technicians | 2,688 | — | 96 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Chemical Technicians
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 5 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 6 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Chemical Technician, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Chemical Technician pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Chemical Technician Pros & Cons
The data on Chemical Technician shows 3 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Competitive salary $60,390 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +4.9% growth through 2035, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a associate's degree, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Earnings and demand vary significantly by region National figures for Chemical Technician mask real geographic variation. High-demand metros can pay 20% or more above the national median while lower-cost or rural markets often fall well short. Where you work matters nearly as much as your credentials.
Chemical Technician Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Chemical Technician professionals earn?
Around $60,390 a year for the typical worker, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,530 and $75,900. Treat the national figure as a starting point rather than a promise: employer size, industry and city all move it.
Is Chemical Technician a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $60,390 median, with +4.9% projected growth through 2035, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How do I become a Chemical Technician?
Most Chemical Technician positions require a associate's degree as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Chemistry are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Chemical Technician?
Employment is projected to change by +4.9% through 2035, about as fast as average compared with other occupations. Around 7,600 roles open each year once you count people retiring and moving on, which matters more to someone starting out than the growth rate does. 58K people do this job nationwide today, so it is an established field rather than a niche one. Source: BLS May 2025.
What skills do Chemical Technician professionals need?
Mainly Science, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, and Active Listening. Notice how many of those are habits rather than facts: they come from doing the work, not from a lecture. That is why programs with an internship or co-op requirement put you ahead of people who only studied the theory. Source: O*NET.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 106 of 393 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.