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Chemical Technicians

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipHigh pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $60,390 Median per year · $29.03/hr Most earn $41,740–$92,040

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Develop or conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, or products.
  • Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
  • Develop new chemical engineering processes or production techniques.
  • Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
  • Train new employees on topics such as the proper operation of laboratory equipment.
  • Operate experimental pilot plants, assisting with experimental design.

Job outlook

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 7,600 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Chemical manufacturing20.5%
  • Testing laboratories and services18.3%
  • Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing9.1%
  • Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences7.6%
  • Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods4.1%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Chemical technician is usually not a straight-out-of-high-school job. Most people finish a certificate, apprenticeship, or short technical program and then spend about 1 to 2 years in a lab before taking this role. Plan on roughly 2 to 4 years of training and experience after high school.

  1. High school diploma with strong science and math

    4 years

    Taking chemistry, biology, algebra, and other math builds the lab and problem-solving skills that technician programs expect.

  2. Certificate or apprenticeship in chemical or lab technology

    1-2 years

    Hands-on training in lab safety, instruments, and testing methods prepares you for real lab work and is the typical entry credential for this career.

  3. Laboratory Assistant

    1-2 years

    Working under chemists and technicians, you learn sample prep, record keeping, and standard procedures, building the experience employers look for.

  4. Chemical Technician

    Career

    You run lab tests on solids, liquids, and gases to support research, quality control, and environmental monitoring.

Where it can lead

  1. Quality Control Analyst

    1-3 years of experience first

    This role focuses on testing products against set standards and often involves more independent work and reporting, though it is not always a higher-paid or higher-level step.

  2. Chemist

    2-4 years of lab experience, usually after a bachelor's degree of experience first

    Chemists design experiments, interpret results, and lead research, which typically requires a bachelor's degree on top of technician experience.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take chemistry, biology, and advanced mathThese classes build the foundation you will need for any lab technician program.
  • Join a science club or science fairHands-on projects teach you experiment design, measuring, and record keeping.
  • Ask about career and technical education (CTE) coursesMany high schools offer lab or science-related CTE classes that can give you early hands-on experience.
  • Volunteer or tour a local lab or water treatment plantSeeing real testing work up close helps you decide if this career fits and can lead to a job reference.
  • Get a starter job that builds reliabilityAny job where you follow steps carefully and track details shows employers you are dependable.

In college

  • Take analytical chemistry and lab coursesAnalytical and instrumental methods are the core skills technicians use every day.
  • Apply for a campus lab assistant jobWorking in a university lab gives you real experience with equipment, safety, and sample handling.
  • Join a chemistry or science student organizationClubs offer networking, lab-tour opportunities, and connections to local employers.
  • Pursue an internship at a company labInternships at manufacturers, labs, or environmental groups show how industry testing works and often lead to job offers.
  • Look into a chemical technology certificate or associate degreeFormal credentials are the typical entry point for this career and make your resume stand out.

Tips for getting started

  • Take as much chemistry and math as you can, and ask your teacher about lab safety practices; careful, accurate lab habits matter most in this job.
  • Look for lab or science-related part-time or summer work, even if it is not a chemistry lab, to show employers you can follow procedures and keep records.
  • Ask technicians or chemists for a short informational interview to learn which certificates and programs local employers prefer.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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