Most Science Technologies/Technicians programs take two years to complete. Graduates start earning $59,366 right after finishing, climbing to $68,416 four years out.
This page covers 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.
Science Technologies/Technicians is a focused area of study within Science Tech. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $68,416 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 82 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 2,436 students complete it each year, most walking away with a associate's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$59,366
Median Earnings · 4yr
$68,416
Colleges Offering
82
Graduates / Year
2,436
Avg Net Price / yr
$8,996
How Much Do Science Technologies/Technicians Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Science Technologies/Technicians, a typical graduate earns $68,416, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $50,248 and $95,851, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings in this field tend to be stable early on. Expect the four-year median to closely reflect your long-term starting point.
$68,416
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$75,425
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Science Technologies/Technicians graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$50,24825th pct.
$68,416Median
$95,85175th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $68,416 against an estimated $35,984 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 16 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 2,436 students who complete Science Technologies/Technicians programs each year, the majority (83%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
83%
Associate's83%
Bachelor's14%
Master's2%
What Can You Do With a Science Technologies/Technicians Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Science Technologies/Technicians graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Environmental Science and Protection Technicians pay the most at $55,090/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
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 Science Technologies/Technicians
Not sure where to study 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 Science Technologies/Technicians graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Science Tech Programs
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 Science Technologies/Technicians program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Science Technologies/Technicians a solid option. The 3 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $68,416 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +6.9% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
High upside potentialTop earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $95,851, a strong ceiling for high performers.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
How much do Science Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?
$68,416 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $50,248 and $95,851, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Science Technologies/Technicians degree?
$59,366 in the first year out. That grows to $68,416 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Science Technologies/Technicians degree?
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians are one path, and it pays a median of $55,090 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 Science Technologies/Technicians program take?
Two years full-time at a community college for a 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 Science Technologies/Technicians?
82 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.
Is a Science Technologies/Technicians degree worth it?
$68,416 median earnings four years out against $8,996 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Science Technologies/Technicians and Science Tech?
Science Technologies/Technicians is the narrower of the two: Science Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to 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 Science Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring 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 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 Science Technologies/Technicians graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +5.3% 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.
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