# Chemical Technicians

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemical-technicians
- SOC code: 19-4031.00
- Career family: Science
- Median annual pay: $60,390 (10th percentile $41,740, 90th percentile $92,040)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +4.9%
- Openings a year: 7,600
- Typical entry education: Associate's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 74 |
| Investigative (I) | 80 |
| Artistic (A) | 9 |
| Social (S) | 11 |
| Enterprising (E) | 2 |
| Conventional (C) | 71 |

## What you'd do

- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 87/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 83/100)
- Processing Information (importance 83/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 82/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 81/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 80/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 79/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 79/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 77/100)
- Getting Information (importance 77/100)

## Skills

Science, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Monitoring, Writing, Active Learning, Speaking, Operations Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving

## Knowledge

Chemistry, English Language, Mathematics, Computers and Electronics, Production and Processing, Administrative, Education and Training, Customer and Personal Service, Engineering and Technology, Mechanical

## Also called

Analysis Tester, Analytical Laboratory Technician (Analytical Lab Technician), Analytical Technician, Assayer, Bleach Analyst, Chemical Analyst, Chemical Analytical Sampler, Chemical Dependency Technician (Chemical Dependency Tech), Chemical Engineering Technician, Chemical Laboratory Assistant (Chemical Lab Assistant)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Chemistry](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4005) (CIP 4005, 1,371 colleges)
- [Physical Science Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4103) (CIP 4103, 97 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [College of the Holy Cross](https://www.collegesref.com/college/college-of-the-holy-cross-626) | Chemistry | $51,144 | $93,122 | $18,250 |
| [The College of New Jersey](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-college-of-new-jersey-2736) | Chemistry | not reported | $90,396 | $27,000 |
| [Northeastern University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northeastern-university-1923) | Chemistry | $84,338 | $88,364 | not reported |
| [New York University NYU](https://www.collegesref.com/college/new-york-university-nyu-1866) | Chemistry | not reported | $86,197 | not reported |
| [University of Connecticut UCONN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-connecticut-uconn-2902) | Chemistry | $52,672 | $84,609 | $17,875 |
| [University of Delaware](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-delaware-2905) | Chemistry | $62,270 | $84,428 | $23,250 |
| [University of California-Berkeley CAL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Chemistry | $57,704 | $82,386 | $11,137 |
| [Drexel University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/drexel-university-834) | Chemistry | $60,075 | $82,185 | $26,378 |

## Related careers

- [Chemists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemists): $91,240 median pay
- [Calibration Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/calibration-technologists-and-technicians): $67,820 median pay
- [Chemical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemical-engineers): $125,040 median pay
- [Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/nanotechnology-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $66,120 median pay
- [Chemical Plant and System Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemical-plant-and-system-operators): $78,120 median pay
- [Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/industrial-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $66,120 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.