Science · Career brief

Chemical Technicians

Is it a good career to pursue?

The 30-second read

Chemical Technicians at a glance

Six signals to look at before you spend time on the full guide.

1Pay

$60,390

Middle-of-the-pack pay

2025 national median. Near the middle of ChooseField careers for pay.

2Demand

4.9%

Steady projected growth

Projected employment growth for 2025–2035. Above the middle of ChooseField careers for growth.

3Openings

7,600

Above the middle on opening volume

Average openings per year in 2025–2035, including replacement hiring. Above the middle of ChooseField careers for openings.

4Route in

Associate degree

Usually a two-year-level credential or equivalent route

Associate's degree. Prior related work is not typically required.

5The work

Analytical

Problem-solving and analysis dominate the profile

Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.

6The catch

Know this first

What could make this a poor fit

The work can involve real occupational hazards. Training, protective equipment, and routine safety discipline matter every day.

ChooseField take

The national benchmarks are mixed, so the work itself and the route in matter more than any standout pay or demand signal. It makes the most sense if analytical work appeals to you and you are comfortable with an associate-degree path. Main tradeoff: The work can involve real occupational hazards. Training, protective equipment, and routine safety discipline matter every day.

Before choosing, compare:Food Science Technicians Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

National labor-market measures: BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. Work-profile signals: O*NET. See sources and caveats.

Compare Chemical Technicians with another field Explore rankings in Science Open shareable infographic

Want the evidence behind the snapshot?

Market and path

Pay, outlook, and the route in

National median pay (2025)

$60,390

A midpoint for workers nationwide, not a starting salary.

2025–2035 outlook

4.9%employment growth7,600openings per year

Openings include replacement hiring, not only newly created jobs.

Typical entry route

Associate's degree; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing

BLS reports the usual education, related experience, and on-the-job training, not a guaranteed minimum for every employer.

2025 employment

60,000

Estimated workers in this occupation across the United States.

Source: BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 occupational projections ↗ · Chemical technicians (19-4031).

Actual responsibilities

What you would be trusted to own

Selected O*NET task statements, not a list of traits that applies to almost every career.

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.
Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits.

Decision-changing realities

What could make this a poor fit

The work can involve real occupational hazards. Training, protective equipment, and routine safety discipline matter every day.

Work profile

What the work emphasizes

O*NET importance scores. Bars are relative to the highest score shown within this chart.

Documenting/Recording Information4.5
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings4.3
Processing Information4.3
Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.3
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials4.2

Interest profile

Career interests

O*NET interest scores describe work someone may enjoy, not personality requirements. Bars are relative to the highest score shown within this chart.

Relative mix of the interest scores below, not percentages of your workday.

Investigative5.8
Realistic5.5
Conventional5.3
Social1.6
Artistic1.5
Enterprising1.1

Preparation

What the training must make you competent at

Subject matter

Chemistry Mathematics Computers and Electronics Production and Processing

Before choosing the major or training

Run a cheaper test first

Run a small investigation with a written hypothesis, observations or public data, and a conclusion that states what the evidence cannot prove.
Ask an early-career worker which beginner task consumes the most time, what makes new hires quit, and what school or training failed to simulate.

The fuller career guide

How the evidence fits together

Pay and demand: reading the benchmark

The pay and outlook figures describe Chemical technicians nationally. They do not establish the salary or number of vacancies available in your area.

Median pay is the middle wage across workers, not a starting offer. Projected openings include replacements as well as growth; neither measure predicts an individual worker's job security.

Before choosing a program

O*NET lists Science, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension among this occupation's skills. Ask a program to show the assignments, supervised practice, and assessment that develop these skills. Compare those examples with local job descriptions.

Common questions

Questions people ask about this career

Can I enter this occupation without related work experience?

BLS does not assign a related-experience requirement to the occupation. Employers may still ask for placements, supervised practice, a portfolio, or experience with particular tools. Check entry-level vacancies separately from experienced roles.

What should I check before paying for training?

Get the full prerequisite and completion timeline, total cost, placement arrangements, and any licensing eligibility in writing. Ask local employers whether they hire graduates from the route you are considering and whether paid training is available.

Adjacent options