Physical Science Technologies/Technicians graduates pursue 3 occupations, with top roles paying $60,390/yr or more. The career cards below break down wages, daily tasks, and 10-year job growth projections for each.
This page covers Physical Science Technologies/Technicians as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Science Tech and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Physical Science Technologies/Technicians is a focused area of study within Science Tech. You will not have trouble finding it: 96 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 2,688 students complete it each year, most walking away with a associate's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Colleges Offering
96
Graduates / Year
2,688
Avg Net Price / yr
$6,911
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 2,688 students who complete Physical Science Technologies/Technicians programs each year, the majority (65%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
33%65%
Associate's65%
Certificate33%
Master's2%
What Can You Do With a Physical Science Technologies/Technicians Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Physical Science Technologies/Technicians graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and Chemical Technician pays the most at $60,390/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
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.
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.
Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing.
Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
Assist scientists or engineers in the use of electronic, sonic, or nuclear measuring instruments in laboratory, exploration, and production activities to obtain data indicating resources such as metallic ore, minerals, gas, coal, or petroleum. Analyze mud and drill cuttings. Chart pressure, temperature, and other characteristics of wells or bore holes.
Test and analyze samples to determine their content and characteristics, using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment.
Collect or prepare solid or fluid samples for analysis.
Compile, log, or record testing or operational data for review and further analysis.
Top Colleges for Physical Science Technologies/Technicians
Not sure where to study Physical Science Technologies/Technicians? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Physical Science Technologies/Technicians graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Science Tech Programs
Physical Science Technologies/Technicians is not the only path through Science Tech: 4 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Physical Science Technologies/Technicians program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Physical Science Technologies/Technicians shows 2 measurable strengths and 0 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +6.9% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 13,900 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
What jobs can you get with a Physical Science Technologies/Technicians degree?
Chemical Technician is one path, and it pays a median of $60,390 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Physical Science Technologies/Technicians program take?
Two years full-time at a community college for a Physical Science Technologies/Technicians associate degree. Many students use it as a stepping stone, transferring to a four-year school afterward to finish a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Physical Science Technologies/Technicians?
96 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
What is the difference between Physical Science Technologies/Technicians and Science Tech?
Physical Science Technologies/Technicians is the narrower of the two: Science Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Physical Science Technologies/Technicians-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Physical Science Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Physical Science Technologies/Technicians graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Physical Science Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Physical Science Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +5.1% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Environmental Science and Protection Technicians are among the strongest-growth roles at +6.9%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Science Tech Programs
Other programs in Science Tech. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
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Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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