Chemical Technicians
Life, Physical, and Social Science
Laboratory benches and, at times, plant floors are the usual setting. Tests use methods such as chromatography, spectroscopy, and microscopy to analyze solids, liquids, and gases; solutions are mixed from standard or experimental formulas. Product batches are checked against quality standards, results compiled and interpreted, and instruments cleaned or sterilized between runs. Safety audits of the lab or plant are part of the role, along with technical help for chemists and engineers. People who like following exact procedures, handling chemicals with care, and making sense of test numbers tend to find the work a good match.
Typical education: Bachelor’s Degree (4-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$60'390
Median Wage Market Position
$60'390
What you might do
- Test solids, liquids, and gases in the lab
- Set up tests that separate or identify chemicals
- Mix chemical solutions from standard or experimental formulas
- Check product quality against set standards
- Compile and interpret results of laboratory tests
- Take part in lab and plant safety checks
Skills that matter
- Running chemical and physical lab tests
- Interpreting chromatography and spectroscopy results
- Preparing chemical solutions from formulas
- Tracking product quality against specifications
- Writing up laboratory test findings
- Giving chemists and engineers technical support
AI & the future of this role
Routine sample analysis and data reporting are increasingly automated, so AI may take over much of the screen-based testing workflow. Hands-on sample prep and quality judgment still matter, but demand for purely procedural lab work could soften.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details